Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Unemployment Benefits

Texas · Unemployment

twc.texas.gov/programs/unemployment-benefits

State Unemployment Benefits in Texas

The Texas Workforce Commission administers unemployment benefits. TWC publishes one death-related procedure: when a claimant who owes an overpayment dies, the person managing the deceased person's affairs mails or faxes a copy of the death certificate to TWC, and TWC may seek repayment from a probated estate.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Confirm whether the deceased claimant owed TWC an overpayment — that is the situation TWC's published procedure covers.
2
Mail or fax a copy of the death certificate (it does not need to be certified) to TWC Benefit Overpayment Collections, 101 E. 15th St, Rm 556, Austin, TX 78778-0001, or fax 512-936-3799.
3
Expect TWC to request repayment of the overpayment from a probated estate if a Texas Comptroller payment hold exists on the account.
4
Call the Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 with any question TWC does not answer on its site, including whether anything remains payable on the claim.

Required Documents

  • Death certificate: if the deceased claimant had an overpayment. A copy, mailed or faxed to TWC; it does not need to be certified.

State Unemployment Benefits in Texas: key facts

What Texas says2

Reporting a death

If a claimant with an overpayment dies, the person managing the deceased person's affairs mails or faxes a copy of the death certificate to TWC.1

Overpayments

If there is a Texas Comptroller payment hold on the deceased claimant's account, TWC will request that the overpayment be repaid from a probated estate and from funds payable under the deceased claimant's Social Security number.1

TWC says state law requires it to recover all unemployment benefit overpayments. There is no statute of limitations on debts owed to the state, TWC cannot forgive or dismiss an overpayment, and there is no exception for hardship.1

Other offices involved1

Texas State Comptroller

A payment hold on the deceased claimant's account1

Not in Texas's published guidance1

  • A procedure for a survivor or estate to collect unpaid benefits

Sources1

  1. 1.Overpayment of Unemployment Benefits (Texas Workforce Commission)

Texas unemployment benefits

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Unemployment Benefits

Tele-Serv (automated claim status, payment history, and payment requests)

1-800-558-8321

Benefit Overpayment Collections (repayment questions)

1-512-936-3338

Fax

1-512-936-3799

Mailing address

TWC Benefit Overpayment Collections, 101 E. 15th St, Rm 556, Austin, TX 78778-0001
Verified Aug 2026

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