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 volume of Texas jobs is positive and expanding. Throughout the recession, the state experienced a relatively low unemployment rate, which peaked at only 8.2 percent in 2010. By June 2012, the Texas unemployment rate had fallen to 7 percent. Both payrolls and online hiring are reporting solid monthly increases.