Unemployment Benefits Extended to the self-employed: This is a recent development which is still being worked out at the state and federal level. A helpful article with a detailed description of what to expect and how to apply can be found here. You can also visit the Texas Workforce Commission website to learn about how to apply and who is covered. The TWC recently implemented a staggered access system, which allocates times to call based on your area code to allow the most people to get through.