Texas Workforce Commission requires you to certify every two weeks through Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS) at twc.texas.gov to keep receiving payment. Certification is not automatic — if you miss the biweekly window, TWC stops your payments for that period, and recovering missed weeks requires additional steps that are not guaranteed.
- Certify through UBS (twc.texas.gov) every two weeks. TWC sends a notification when your certification window opens.
- You must report all earnings, job contacts (minimum 3 per week), and any job offers during each certification period.
- Missing a certification window stops payment. Contact TWC immediately if you miss one — do not wait.
Always verify exact numbers, deadlines, and forms on the Texas Workforce Commission's official website – this page provides general guidance, not state-specific legal advice.
What Happens During Each Certification Period
Every two weeks, UBS opens a certification window for your claim. You answer a series of questions about the prior two weeks: Did you work? How much did you earn? Did you refuse any job offers? Did you complete your 3 required work search contacts each week? Were you available for work?
Earnings must be reported in the week they are earned, not when they are paid. If you worked Monday through Friday one week and received the paycheck the following Friday, report those earnings during the week the work was performed. This is a common source of overpayments — and TWC audits for it.
After you complete certification, TWC deposits payment within 2 to 3 business days to your bank account (direct deposit) or to your Way2Go debit card, whichever you selected during filing.
Work Search Certification in Texas
Texas requires 3 work search contacts per week and has some of the strictest enforcement in the country. During each biweekly certification, you confirm that you completed 6 contacts total (3 for each week of the certification period). You do not submit your contact log during certification — but TWC audits work search logs, and you must be able to produce them on request.
Your work search log should record, for each contact: the employer's name, the employer's contact information, the position you applied for, the date of contact, the method of contact, and any response you received. Keep this log permanently — TWC can audit work search records months after the benefit weeks in question.
What Can Interrupt Payment
Several things can pause or stop your biweekly payments:
- Missing certification — TWC stops payment for that cycle. You may be able to certify late, but it is not guaranteed.
- Earnings over a certain threshold — Earnings that exceed your weekly benefit amount in a given week typically make that week unpayable.
- Employer disputes — If your employer files a protest, TWC may place a hold on your payments pending investigation.
- Identity verification issues — TWC may require additional identity documentation, which freezes payments until resolved.
- Insufficient work search contacts — Certifying fewer than 3 contacts per week can trigger a denial for those weeks.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If your payment is late, check UBS first for any notices, holds, or requests for additional information. Most payment holds show an explanation in UBS. If UBS does not explain the problem, call TWC at 800-939-6631. Texas phone lines have long wait times — try calling early Tuesday through Thursday mornings. Using the callback feature (if available) prevents you from sitting on hold.
If you missed a certification deadline, contact TWC immediately. Explain why you missed it. TWC may allow a late certification in some cases, particularly for first-time missed certifications with a documented reason. Do not simply wait and hope — each week you delay reduces the chance of retroactive payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does TWC notify me that it is time to certify?
- TWC sends a notification through UBS and by email to the address you provided when filing. The certification window typically opens on the Sunday after your two-week benefit period ends and remains open for several days. Log in to UBS regularly to check your certification status — do not rely exclusively on email notifications, which can be delayed or end up in spam folders.
- What do I report if I worked one week but not the other during my TWC certification period?
- Report earnings and hours separately for each week. UBS asks week-by-week questions. For the week you worked, report all gross earnings (not net) and hours worked. For the week you did not work, report zero. TWC calculates the payment impact separately for each week. A zero-earnings week that meets work search requirements is paid at your full weekly benefit amount; the worked week is reduced by TWC's earnings formula.
- I missed my TWC certification window. What do I do?
- Log in to UBS immediately and check whether the certification is still accessible — some late certifications can be completed within a short window past the deadline. If UBS shows the period as closed, call TWC at 800-939-6631 and explain the situation. Have your claim number, the dates in question, and a reason for the missed certification ready. TWC may allow a late certification for first-time misses or documented emergencies, but there is no guarantee. Do not delay — acting within 24 hours gives you the best outcome.
- TWC is asking me to verify my identity during certification. What is this?
- TWC uses identity verification (often through ID.me or TWC's internal system) to prevent fraud. If you receive an identity verification request, complete it immediately — it is required to release payment. You will typically need a government-issued photo ID and may need to submit a selfie. The process is completed through a link TWC sends to your email. Payments are held until verification is complete, and TWC will not process your claim further until it is resolved.
- Can I certify by phone in Texas instead of online through UBS?
- Yes, Texas allows telephone certification by calling TWC's Tele-Serv line. However, TWC strongly recommends using UBS (twc.texas.gov) because it is faster, available 24/7, and creates a clear digital record of your certification. Phone certification is prone to longer wait times and occasional technical issues. UBS also gives you immediate confirmation of your answers and payment status, which the phone system may not. Use telephone certification as a backup if UBS is unavailable, not as your primary method.