Note: As of July 11, 2017, fee waivers for the 2017-2018 application cycle are no longer available and applications are no longer being accepted. You can apply for a fee waiver for the 2018-2019 application cycle when it opens in April 2018.
May 2, 2011. 1  Several factors determine how long you can draw unemployment insurance benefits in Texas. 2  State unemployment benefits in Texas and elsewhere usually are payable for up to 26 weeks, or six months. 3  Federal funding is available in Texas and all other states only through the end of 2011 unless the government chooses to extend it.
The maximum length of time you can claim unemployment benefits is 26 weeks. If the unemployment rate is 5% or lower, you can claim benefits for up to 12 weeks. For every .5% increase in the unemployment rate above 5%, a week is added to the duration of benefits.