Unemployment Benefits Estimator — Texas

Unemployment Benefits Estimator in Texas

Texas divides your highest-earning base-period quarter by 25 and rounds to the nearest dollar, between a $75 floor and the $605 ceiling — a cap set at 47.6% of the average weekly wage in covered employment and recalculated annually. Total benefits are 26 weekly payments or 27% of all base-period wages, whichever is less, so the practical range runs 10 to 26 weeks and a concentrated wage history shortens the claim. One unpaid waiting week applies. Texas is also worth a second look on food assistance: it uses broad-based categorical eligibility with a 165% FPL gross income limit, tighter than most BBCE states but still above the federal default. File at https://twc.texas.gov/

Unemployment Benefits in Texas: Weekly Amounts and How Long They Last

Texas pays a weekly unemployment benefit of between $75 and $605. Those are the statutory floor and ceiling, not an estimate of what you personally would receive: your weekly benefit amount is calculated from the wages in your base period, and the maximum is reached only if those wages were high enough. Texas computes it this way — Divide the base-period quarter with the highest wages by 25 and round to the nearest dollar. The maximum is capped at 47.6% of the average weekly wage in covered employment in Texas, recalculated annually.

These amounts apply to claims filed on or after October 5, 2025. Texas did not apply them retroactively to claims that were already open. If your claim began before October 5, 2025, it keeps the weekly benefit amount that was in force on the day you filed, for the life of that claim — so do not assume the figures above describe a claim you already have. Your monetary determination letter shows the rate your claim was actually set at.

• Weekly benefit range: $75 to $605
• Weeks payable: up to 26 weeks; the payable range runs 10 to 26 weeks, because lower base-period earnings exhaust a claim sooner
• Waiting week: yes — the first otherwise-payable week is unpaid, and you generally still have to file a weekly claim for it
• In effect since: October 5, 2025

How Texas decides how many weeks you get: Total benefits are 26 times the weekly benefit amount or 27 percent of all base-period wages, whichever is less, so duration varies with earnings. USDOL reports the practical range as 10-26 weeks. Texas re-sets its minimum and maximum each autumn, not on July 1.

Source and date: these Texas figures were verified on August 2, 2026 against Texas Workforce Commission, 'Unemployment Benefits Eligibility - Benefit Amounts', and are the amounts that agency shows as in effect since October 5, 2025. Benefit amounts and durations change — many states re-index once a year, and some change duration as the state unemployment rate moves — so check the agency link before relying on a figure. Only your monetary determination letter states your own weekly benefit amount and the number of weeks you can actually be paid.

SNAP Benefits in Texas

Texas uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), with a gross income limit of 165% of the Federal Poverty Level. The maximum monthly SNAP benefit for a household of 4 in Texas is $975. You can apply online at https://hhsc.texas.gov or by calling 2-1-1.

Medicaid in Texas

Texas has not expanded Medicaid (Texas Medicaid). Texas has not expanded Medicaid. Coverage gap exists for adults between 14-100% FPL. Apply at https://yourtexasbenefits.com/.

Texas Wage Information

The minimum wage in Texas is $7.25/hour ($2.13/hour for tipped workers). The median household income is $72,284. Texas has no state income tax.

Tenant Rights in Texas

Texas requires landlords to give 3 days notice for nonpayment of rent before filing for eviction. The typical eviction process takes approximately 21 days. Free legal aid is available at https://www.tlsc.org/.

Rent in Texas

The median rent in Texas is approximately $1,200/month for a 1-bedroom and $1,625/month for a 2-bedroom apartment. Texas does not have rent control.

Important Notes for Texas Residents

The data shown above is based on publicly available information and is updated regularly. Benefit amounts, eligibility rules, and legal requirements can change. Always verify current information with your local Texas agencies before making important decisions. This calculator provides estimates — not guaranteed outcomes.