Apply for Unemployment Benefits - Texas Workforce Commission (2024)

Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS) isTWC’s free online system that allows claimants to access their Unemployment Benefits information. You can use the Internet to apply for benefits, estimate your benefits, update your claim, request payments, check your status, change your payment option, and more.

OurTele-Serv automated phone system is available at 800-558-8321. Claim status and payment request options are available daily, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time. General information is available anytime.

Online UBS Logon

Log on with your existingTWCUserIDor create a new UserID.

You can access any of our UBS online systems through the above logon link or you can continue reading on this page for information about our services, how to useUBS, and related user guides.

View Electronic Correspondence

If you have an unemployment benefits claim, you cansign up for Electronic Correspondencefor online access to your unemployment benefits correspondence.

Electronic Correspondence allows you to receive most, but not all, of your unemployment notices and forms electronically in a secure, online mailbox. You are responsible for regularly checking your online inbox, regardless of whether you receive an email notifying you of new mail. All Electronic Correspondence documents are also available as accessible versions for visually impaired customers.

Once you sign up, you will continue to receive most of yourTWCcorrespondence electronically until you opt out. You must opt out to stop receiving documents by Electronic Correspondence and return to paper mail. For more information, see the user guide below.

Need Help?

  • See atutorial on how to use Electronic Correspondence(English)
  • Vea una tutoría sobre cómo utilizarCorrespondencia Electrónica

View Claim & Payment Status

If you have applied for unemployment benefits,view your claim and payment information:

  • Log on to Unemployment Benefits Servicesand select Claim and Payment Status.
  • Call Tele-Serv at 800-558-8321 and select Option 2.

We update our systems nightly, so consider checking your claim status once daily.

  • See atutorial on how to view the status of your claim(English)
  • Vea una tutoría sobre cómover la condición de su reclamo en línea

Your Tax Information

Unemployment benefits are taxable income reportable to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under federal law. You must report all unemployment benefits you receive to the IRS on your federal tax return.

If you are receiving benefits, you may have federal income taxes withheld from your unemployment benefit payments. Tax withholding is completely voluntary; withholding taxes is not required. If you ask us to withhold taxes, we will withhold ten percent of the gross amount of each of your benefit payments and send it to the IRS.

Change Your Income Tax Withholding

To start or stop federal tax withholding for unemployment benefit payments:

  • Choose your withholding option when you apply for benefits online throughUnemployment Benefits Services.
  • Review and change your withholding status by logging on toUnemployment Benefits Servicesand selecting “IRS Tax Information” from the Quick Links menu.
  • Review and change your withholding status by callingTele-Servat 800-558-8321 and selecting Option 2, then Option 5.

View IRS 1099-G Information

If you received unemployment benefits during the previous calendar year,view the total amountTWCpaid to you and any amount withheld.

To get your 1099-G information:

  • Log on toUnemployment Benefits Services and select IRS Tax Information from the Quick Links menu.
  • Call Tele-Serv at 800-558-8321 and select Option 2.

Need Help?

  • For more information, seeFederal Income Taxes
  • See atutorial on how to check your IRS 1099-G information (English)
  • Vea un tutoría sobrecómo ver la información de su 1099-G del IRS en línea

Request Your Waiting Week

TWCcannot pay you for the first week of your claim, also known as thewaiting week, until you return to full-time work or exhaust your benefits. If you return to full-time work before exhausting your benefits, you must informTWCto receive payment for that first week.

To report that you returned to full-time work:

  • Log on to Unemployment Benefits Servicesand select Request Your Waiting Week.
  • Call Tele-Serv at 800-558-8321 and select Option 2 and then Option 4.
  • Call a Tele-Center at 800-939-6631.

Repay an Overpayment

An overpayment is caused whenTWCpays you unemployment benefits that you are later found not eligible to receive. Overpayments stay on your record until they are repaid. We cannot pay you benefits if you have an overpayment.

You can now repay your overpayment online by debit card or e-check:

  1. Log on toUnemployment Benefits Services(UBS).
  2. Select “Make a Payment on Your Overpayment” from the Quick Links menu and select the www.repay.twc.texas.gov link.
  3. Log on with your UBS User ID and password.
  4. Select the payment method:
    • Select “Debit Card” to pay by debit card.
    • Select “Bank Account (Online ACH Transfer)” to pay by e-check.
  5. Enter the payment amount and review the payment summary.
  6. Complete the Customer Information and Payment Information.
  7. Submit payment.
  8. Print the Payment Receipt Confirmation for your records.

E-checksare available at no charge. Texas.gov charges a service fee for online payments made by debit card. The service fee is a percentage of your payment amount and goes to support the Texas.gov website’s ongoing operations and enhancements.

You Will Need:

  • A validUBSUser ID and password. If you are new toUBS, you must wait 30 minutes after creating your User ID and password before you can submit payment online.
  • A valid email address associated with yourUBSaccount.
  • For e-check payment:
    • The name on the bank or credit union account as it appears on the card.
    • Your bank or credit union account number and routing number.
    • NOTE: The name on the bank or credit union account does not need to be the same name associated with your unemployment benefits claim.

You may also repay your overpayment by mailing a check or money order (payable toTWC)to:

TWCRevenue & Trust Management
P.O. Box 149352
Austin, TX 78714-9352

To ensure proper credit, include on your check or money order your name, last four digits of your Social Security number, and the account number shown on your billing statement.

If you cannot repay the entire overpayment amount at once, contact Benefit Overpayment Collections to request a repayment plan. If your overpayment meets certain criteria, we can set up a repayment plan.

  • Call: 512-936-3338
  • Fax: 512-936-3799
  • Email:special.colloverpay@twc.texas.gov

    Please use this email address only for requesting a payment plan, your overpayment balance, or instructions for sending payment.

If you did not apply for unemployment benefits, and you received TWCcorrespondence regarding an overpayment, report possibleIDfraud at:Report ID Fraud

Need Help?

SeeOverpayment of Unemployment Benefits

Apply for Unemployment Benefits - Texas Workforce Commission (2024)
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