The Texas Workforce Commission is now accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance from workers in 20 counties affected by severe storms and flooding that occurred between July 12 and Aug. 4, 2026, the agency said in a Nov. 6 news release.
The benefit is available under the Presidential Disaster Declaration for Texas, designated DR-4935-TX and dated Sept. 1, 2026, according to TWC. Workers and self-employed individuals whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the storms and flooding may be eligible in the designated counties, the agency said. Those counties are Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Crockett, Dimmit, Frio, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, Medina, Real, Schleicher, Sutton, Uvalde, Val Verde and Zavala.
TWC said applicants can apply online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling the agency at 800-939-6631 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday. Applications under this declaration must be submitted by Dec. 29, 2026, the release said, and applicants should specify that their claims relate to damage caused by the July storms and flooding.
The agency described Disaster Unemployment Assistance as an unemployment insurance benefit made available especially for victims of disaster. According to TWC, it is available to individuals who have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits or do not qualify for them; who worked, were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area; and who can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster. The release lists additional eligibility requirements.
Residents in the designated counties who believe they may qualify can use the online application or the TWC phone line to begin a claim ahead of the Dec. 29 deadline, the agency said.