Introduction
When a job ends, one of the first questions people ask is, “How much does unemployment pay in Texas?” The answer depends on your past wages, the timeline of your claim, and a few rules that adjust your weekly check. Texas uses your recent earnings to calculate a Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA), then caps it within a statewide minimum and maximum that are updated over time.
The calculation itself is straightforward: Texas looks at the calendar quarter in your base period with the highest wages and divides that figure by 25, rounding to the nearest dollar. That result is your WBA, subject to the state’s current floor and ceiling. As of October 6, 2024, the Texas Workforce Commission lists a minimum weekly benefit of $74 and a maximum of $591. These limits are tied to statewide wage measures and can change, typically in early October.
Your total benefits across the year are also capped. Texas sets a Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA) equal to 26 times your WBA or 27% of all wages in your base period—whichever is less. In practice, that means most Texans can collect up to 26 payable weeks in a benefit year if they remain eligible. Extended Benefits may activate only during periods of very high unemployment.
A few more rules matter for your check. If you work part-time while claiming, you must report those wages; earning too much can reduce or eliminate payment for that week. And to keep collecting, you must actively search for work and meet your area’s weekly activity requirements.
Finally, timing counts. Your claim “starts” the week you file, and Texas won’t pay for weeks before your effective date. Filing promptly, documenting your work search, and understanding how the math works will help you estimate how much unemployment pays in Texas—and what you can do to receive the full amount you’re due.
1) What is the weekly unemployment benefit in Texas?
In Texas, your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) is the dollar figure you’re eligible to receive for any week you qualify. The state sets a minimum and a maximum, with your individual payment falling somewhere in between based on your earnings history. As of October 6, 2024, Texas lists a minimum WBA of $74 and a maximum of $591. These numbers are periodically adjusted, so always verify the current range when you apply.
Texas calculates your WBA using a simple formula: find the base-period quarter in which you earned the most, divide those wages by 25, and round to the nearest dollar. If that result is below the minimum or above the maximum, it’s brought within the state’s range. Your WBA can be reduced for certain offsets (like some pensions from a base-period employer) or for wages earned during the week.
Because benefits are week-to-week, your actual payment can fluctuate. Working part-time can lower your check, and earning more than 125% of your WBA means you won’t be paid for that week. Keep detailed records and report all work promptly to avoid delays or overpayments that could be offset against future checks.
2) Texas unemployment weekly pay amount (WBA) calculator
If you want a quick estimate before you apply, Texas offers an online Benefits Estimator. You enter recent wages, and the tool calculates an approximate WBA and potential total benefits for a standard claim. It’s not a guarantee of eligibility, but it’s helpful for budgeting and planning.
Remember that the estimator mirrors the state’s formula—highest-quarter wages divided by 25—then applies the current minimum/maximum range. If you’ve worked in multiple states, are coming off federal or military employment, or have irregular income, the actual determination may differ once the state verifies all wage records. For the most accurate picture, file a claim so you can receive your official benefit statement.
If you anticipate part-time work while claiming, the estimator won’t project week-to-week reductions. To self-check, compare planned earnings to your WBA and note the 125% cutoff that can zero out a week’s payment.
3) How are Texas unemployment benefits calculated?
Texas relies on your base period, which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim’s effective date. From those four quarters, identify the one with the highest wages. Divide that quarter’s wages by 25—then round to the nearest dollar—to get your WBA, subject to the state minimum and maximum for the period.
Your Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA) is the total you can collect over your benefit year. It equals 26 times your WBA or 27% of your total base-period wages—whichever is lower. Most claimants reach the 26-week mark if they remain eligible; however, if your 27% figure is lower than 26×WBA, you’ll run out sooner.
Eligibility is ongoing. Each week you request payment, you must meet work-search rules, be able/available for full-time work, and report any wages. Unreported or late-reported earnings can trigger overpayments, which Texas offsets by reducing future checks.
4) Maximum unemployment pay per week in Texas 2025
As of the schedule that took effect October 6, 2024, Texas lists a maximum weekly benefit of $591. That cap applies regardless of how high your earnings were in the highest quarter—if the formula gives a number above the cap, your WBA is set at the maximum. Texas also publishes a historical table of minimum and maximum WBAs, showing yearly adjustments going back many years.
Why do these numbers shift? State law pegs the maximum and minimum to a share of the statewide average weekly wage, which changes over time. The exact dollar values are finalized administratively and reflected on the benefits page each fall. If you’re filing in late 2025, check the current table when you claim to confirm the exact cap in force.
5) Minimum unemployment benefit in Texas
Not everyone qualifies for a large check, but Texas sets a floor so eligible claimants receive at least a basic amount. The minimum WBA is $74 under the schedule that began October 6, 2024. If your highest-quarter wages divided by 25 come out below that figure, your weekly benefit will be raised to the minimum (provided you otherwise qualify).
If you lack enough past wages to compute a WBA under regular rules, you might still have options in special circumstances—such as disaster unemployment assistance—though different formulas apply and availability is limited. Always start with a timely claim; your official benefit statement will show whether you met the wage thresholds and what your Texas unemployment payment would be.
6) Average unemployment check in Texas per week
There isn’t a single statewide “average check” displayed for regular claims, because each WBA reflects the claimant’s own wage history within the min-max range. Two signposts frame expectations: the minimum $74 and the maximum $591 in the current schedule. Many claimants fall somewhere in the middle depending on their highest-quarter earnings and any weekly deductions.
Your personal average while you’re on claim can also vary week to week. Part-time earnings reduce your payment; earning more than 125% of your WBA means you won’t be paid for that week at all. Over time, that creates a personalized average that depends on your job search pace, interim shifts, and any offsets that apply to your situation.
7) Partial unemployment pay rules in Texas
Texas pays partial benefits when you work fewer hours but still meet eligibility. You must report gross earnings for the week you perform the work. The state then reduces your benefit by a portion of those wages. If your weekly earnings exceed 125% of your WBA, you are not paid for that week, even if you remain on your claim.
Always report work accurately—this includes temporary gigs, freelancing, commissions, and tips. The state treats “work” broadly, and failing to report can cause overpayments or penalties. Keep copies of pay stubs and schedules so your weekly requests match employer records. If your hours vary, expect your benefit to move up and down accordingly but remain within the $74–$591 bounds when payable.
8) Texas unemployment estimator: how much will I get?
Before filing, you can plug recent wages into the state’s Benefits Estimator to get a ballpark WBA and total benefit projection. The estimator uses the same formula—highest-quarter wages divided by 25—and then applies the current min/max. It can’t tell you whether you’re eligible; only a filed claim triggers an official determination.
For the most reliable estimate, gather pay stubs or employer reports that span the base period. If you worked in multiple states or for the federal government or military, the estimator may understate your WBA until those wages are verified and combined as appropriate. Filing a timely claim ensures you receive a benefit statement with your calculated WBA and MBA.
9) What affects unemployment payment amount in Texas?
Several factors can change your weekly check. First are reported wages during a claimed week; these reduce benefits and can eliminate payment if they exceed 125% of your WBA. Second are specific offsets—for example, certain retirement pensions from a base-period employer can reduce your WBA, while Social Security retirement does not.
Third, severance pay or wages in lieu of notice may make you ineligible for weeks covered by those payments because you’re not considered unemployed for those weeks. Finally, administrative adjustments—like correcting missing wages—or overpayment offsets can affect what hits your account. Read notices carefully and keep all documentation so you can respond quickly if something looks off.
10) Are Texas unemployment benefits taxable income?
Yes. Unemployment benefits are taxable at the federal level. Each January, you’ll receive Form 1099-G showing the total benefits paid and any withholding you requested. You must report this income on your federal return. Texas does not levy a state income tax, but if you live or move to a state that taxes unemployment, those rules could apply there.
You can ask to withhold 10% for federal income tax when you file or later through your online account. If you didn’t withhold and expect to owe, consider setting aside funds or making an estimated payment to avoid a surprise at tax time. Keep your 1099-G with your records; the IRS also receives a copy directly.