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.
During those 12 months, you earn a credit week for each week you earned $50 or more in employment wages. If you have less than 16 credit weeks, you're not eligible for Pennsylvania unemployment benefits. If you have 16 or 17 credit weeks, you can only collect up to 16 weeks of unemployment benefits. If you have more than 17 credit weeks, you can collect up to 26 weeks.