Unemployment if you quit or were fired in Texas

Quit, fired or refused work

If you quit

Most people who quit do not get benefits. You may get benefits if you quit for good cause connected with the work, meaning a work-related reason that would make someone who wants to stay employed leave. TWC says you should be able to show proof of the reason and that you tried to fix the problem with your employer before you quit. Quitting for personal reasons, such as lack of transportation or staying home with children, does not qualify.

Examples the state names:

• Well-documented unsafe working conditions
• Significant changes in your hiring agreement
• Not getting paid, or trouble getting your agreed pay
• A medically verified illness, injury, disability or pregnancy (you must be available for work)
• Caring for your minor child who has a medically verified illness, if no other care was available and your employer refused reasonable time off
• Leaving to protect yourself from family violence, stalking or sexual assault, shown by documents such as a protective order, police record or medical record
• Caring for your terminally ill spouse, if no other care was available
• Moving with your spouse who is in the U.S. armed forces because of a permanent change of station
• Leaving work that was not suitable to attend training TWC approved

If you were fired

You may get benefits if you were fired for a reason other than misconduct. If your employer demanded that you resign, TWC treats it as being fired. TWC's examples of misconduct that can disqualify you include violating company policy, violating the law, neglecting or mismanaging your job, or not doing your work properly when you are able to.

If benefits are denied for the separation

A disqualification for quitting without good cause, misconduct, or refusing suitable work lasts until you go back to work and either work six weeks (at least 30 hours a week) or earn six times your weekly benefit amount. If you quit to move with a spouse (not a military move), you are disqualified for 6 to 25 weeks, and your total benefits are reduced by the disqualified weeks.

Refusing work

If you fail without good cause to apply for or accept suitable work, you are disqualified until you go back to work and work six weeks or earn six times your weekly benefit amount. For the first eight weeks, a suitable job must pay at least 90 percent of your normal wage; after eight weeks, at least 75 percent.

Law: Tex. Labor Code secs. 207.044, 207.045, 207.046, 207.047

Official source: Source page

You usually must be unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states this means you lost your job because there was not enough work.

Able, available and looking for work

You must make at least the minimum number of work search activities each week, unless TWC tells you that you are exempt. The local workforce board sets the number for your county, and it can change. TWC mails you a letter with your number and reminds you each time you request payment. If you work part time, you must keep looking for full-time work.

Records to keep

Write each activity on a work search log (TWC's form or your own with the same details). Keep your logs for your whole benefit year or as long as you get benefits, whichever is longer. TWC can ask for them for up to two years from the start of your claim.

Law: Tex. Labor Code sec. 207.021(a)(5)

Official source: Source page

To be paid for a week, you must be able to work, available to work and actively seeking work.

Law: 42 U.S.C. 503(a)(12)

Noncitizens

What the state says

TWC can pay benefits only to U.S. citizens and noncitizens working legally in the United States. If you are not a citizen, TWC must verify your Alien Registration number with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Wages from work done without authorization cannot be used. Since March 9, 2024, nationals of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau who live lawfully in the U.S. may be eligible.

Free help

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