How Do I Request Payment of UI Benefits?
You request payment on the Internet at www.texasworkforce.org (click on Payment Request) or by calling Tele-Serv, our automated telephone voice response system.   You also receive filing instructions by mail.  Each payment request covers a two-week period that comes after your initial application for UI benefits. You must have been at least partially unemployed during one of the two weeks in order to claim benefits. Wait until the two-week period has ended to request payment, because you must certify that you met all payment requirements during each week. If you have a payable claim, TWC sends your payments to your debit-card account managed by JP Morgan Chase Bank.  Chase Bank will send you a TWC UI Visa® Debit Card (PDF) along with detailed information on how to use your debit card and manage your debit-card account.  For more information call the Chase Bank customer service line toll free at 1-866-865-1273, or go to www.myaccount.chase.com.

If you are eligible, TWC will send funds to your Chase debit-card account.  It takes 2 to 7 days for TWC to process your request for payment.  The time frame depends upon the type of benefits you are requesting, as well as how and when you submitted the request.

How Do I Report My Hours Worked and Earnings, If I Work While Receiving Benefits?
If you worked at all during any week for which you request payment, report your hours and total wages before any deductions for that week.  Report all of your hours worked and earnings or you may have to repay benefits, may lose the rights to any other benefits in your benefit year, and face prosecution for fraud.  The workweek for reporting hours and earnings begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday.

1. Report the total number of hours worked for each week you worked. You must report your hours and earnings each time you work whether from full-time, part-time, or temporary work including "contract labor," commissions, tips, or self-employment profits.  Report your total wages before deductions, including wages earned from any U.S. military service, National Guard, or reservist duties for that week.
   
   
2. Report all earnings for the week in which you earn them, not necessarily when the employer pays you.
   
   
3. Report your total earnings before deductions (gross pay); not your "take home" pay.
   
   
4. Report all your earnings in whole dollars, dropping any cents. For example, if you earn $100.75, report $100.
   
   
5. If you are self-employed, report your profits. Profits are the net amount you made above your expenses.
   NOTE:  If you use Tele-Serv to request payment, the automated system asks, "Did you work or earn wages of any kind during the claim period?"  If you worked, but have no profits to report, answer "Yes," and report zero dollars ($0) earned. Tele-Serv will ask whether you were employed in commission sales or self-employment.  Answer "Yes."

How Will Part-Time Work Affect My Payments?
If you work part-time, you may be able to receive some benefits. Your Statement of Benefits tells you your weekly benefit amount and your weekly earnings allowance. Your earnings allowance is one and one quarter times (125% of) your weekly benefit amount. If your actual weekly earnings are less than your earnings allowance, TWC will pay you the difference between the amounts as long as you meet all other requirements, including looking for full-time work. You can receive 25% more income from part-time work and partial unemployment combined, than from unemployment alone. Your benefits also may last longer. If you are working the full-time customary hours for your occupation, you are not eligible to receive UI benefits, even if your earnings are less than 125% of your weekly benefit amount.

IMPORTANT: Separation from part-time work can affect your UI benefits. If your part-time employer fires you or you quit your part-time job, TWC will review your job separation reason to decide whether you can still receive benefits.

NOTE:

What Are the Penalties for Fraud?
Fraud is knowingly giving false information, or failing to give information, to obtain or increase a benefit. This is a Class A misdemeanor. TWC requires individuals to repay any payments made improperly, and cancels all remaining benefits when there is a fraudulent act. TWC can place a lien on your property and/or pursue criminal prosecution of fraudulent acts. Those convicted of fraud in criminal court can receive fines and imprisonment as prescribed in the Texas Penal Code.

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