How does Texas calculate the weekly benefit amount?

The Texas Workforce Commission divides your highest base-period quarter's wages by 25 to set your weekly benefit amount, then caps it within the state minimum and maximum. For 2024 the range is roughly $73 to $577 per week.

What is the base period in Texas?

The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. Wages earned during that window determine both your weekly benefit amount and how many weeks you can collect.

How long can I receive unemployment in Texas?

Your maximum benefit amount is the lesser of 26 times your weekly benefit amount or 27% of your total base-period wages. Dividing that by your weekly amount gives the duration, which is capped at 26 weeks in normal economic conditions.

Does this guarantee I will receive benefits?

No. This is only a benefit-amount estimate. Eligibility also depends on the reason you separated from your job, your availability for work, and ongoing work-search requirements that the Texas Workforce Commission verifies.

Are unemployment benefits taxable in Texas?

Texas has no state income tax, but unemployment benefits are taxable as federal income. You can choose to have 10% federal tax withheld from each payment to avoid a bill at tax time.

Texas Unemployment Benefit Estimator

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The Texas unemployment benefit estimator applies the Texas Workforce Commission’s actual formula to project your weekly payment and how long it can last. It uses your base-period wages — the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters — to compute both your weekly benefit amount and your total maximum benefit, so you can plan realistically while between jobs.

How it works

Your weekly benefit amount (WBA) is your highest-quarter wages ÷ 25, then bounded by the state minimum ($73) and maximum ($577) for 2024. If your best quarter was $10,000, the raw WBA is $400, within the cap. Your maximum benefit amount (MBA) is the lesser of 26 × WBA or 27% of total base-period wages. Dividing the MBA by the WBA gives the number of weeks, capped at 26. So with $37,000 total base-period wages and a $400 WBA, the MBA is min($10,400, $9,990) = $9,990, lasting about 25 weeks.

Notes and caveats

This tool estimates the dollar amounts only. Actual eligibility depends on why you left your job — quitting without good cause or being fired for misconduct can disqualify you — and on meeting work-search and availability requirements each week. Benefits are federally taxable even though Texas has no state income tax, and you can elect 10% federal withholding. Confirm your figures and file at twc.texas.gov.