Texas Workers’ Comp Board — Best Proven Guide (2026)

The Texas workers comp board most people are looking for is the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation, part of the Texas Department of Insurance — the state agency that oversees every workers’ compensation claim and coverage requirement in Texas.

This page gives the address, phone, website, coverage lookup, forms and poster for the Texas workers comp board, and explains what the agency does for an injured worker and for an employer. Verified against the agency’s own site as of October 2026.

Texas Workers Comp Board Contact Details

Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation
1601 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
Mailing: P.O. Box 12050, Austin, TX 78711
Phone: (512) 804-4000 · (800) 252-7031
Web: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/index.html

What the Texas Workers Comp Board Does

DWC is part of the Texas Department of Insurance at 1601 Congress Avenue, Austin (mail to P.O. Box 12050); the toll-free line is (800) 252-7031. The separate Office of Injured Employee Counsel represents workers for free. Texas is the one state where private employers may opt out of the system entirely. DWC hearing officers hold benefit review conferences and contested case hearings; the Appeals Panel reviews them.

Three things the Texas workers comp board does not do: it does not pay most claims (the employer’s insurer does, unless the state runs the fund), it does not give legal advice, and it does not choose a doctor for you. It is the referee and the record-keeper, which is exactly why its information line is the first free call for a confused claimant.

The Texas Workers Comp Board for Injured Workers

Report the injury to your employer first — that deadline is set by Texas law, not by the agency. Then the Texas workers comp board comes in at three points: filing the worker’s claim form when the employer or insurer will not act, requesting a hearing when a claim is denied or benefits stop, and approving any settlement before it is final.

Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC), oiec.texas.gov answers questions and takes complaints about an insurer.

Bring the claim number, the date of injury, the insurer’s name and every letter you have received. Our Texas claim guide walks through the deadlines and forms before you make the call.

The Texas Workers Comp Board for Employers

Employers meet the Texas workers comp board when they prove coverage, file the first report of injury after an accident, post the required notice in the workplace and — if they qualify — file an exemption. Coverage is bought from a private insurer or the assigned-risk plan; the agency checks that it exists. The threshold and penalties are in our Texas requirements guide.

Texas Workers Comp Board Coverage Lookup, Forms and Poster

Use the agency’s coverage-verification lookup to confirm an employer or contractor is insured: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/employer/coverage.html. Forms are at the official forms page. The required workplace poster is free from the agency — the companies selling it are selling a free document.

Texas Workers Comp Board Details at a Glance

Before You Call the Texas Workers Comp Board

Agency lines are busiest Monday mornings and the first days of the month. Have the claim number ready, ask for the name of the person you spoke with, and follow up in writing. The Texas workers comp board can explain the process and the deadlines, confirm whether a form was received and tell you how to request a hearing; it cannot tell you what your case is worth.

For that question, our Texas settlement guide and a licensed attorney are the next stops.

District and hearing offices: larger states hear cases at regional offices rather than at headquarters. Where Texas has them, they are listed on the agency site under locations, and the hearing notice names the office for your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Texas workers comp board called?

The Division of Workers’ Compensation — (512) 804-4000. It oversees claims and coverage; the insurer pays most benefits.

How do I check if an employer has workers comp in Texas?

Use the coverage-verification lookup on the agency site; it is public and free. If an employer is not listed, call the agency before you assume.

Do I need a lawyer to contact the Texas workers comp board?

No. The agency’s information line answers process questions for free. A lawyer matters once a claim is denied or a settlement is on the table.

Official Texas Sources & Resources

• Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/index.html
• U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
• Insurance Information Institute: iii.org

This Texas workers comp board guide was last verified against official Texas sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.

More Texas Workers’ Comp Guides

• How to File a Texas Workers’ Comp Claim
• Texas Workers’ Comp Settlements
• Texas Workers’ Comp Requirements (Employers)
• Workers’ Comp Guides for All 50 States

Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.

Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.