Can I use Chime for NY unemployment direct deposits? Account verification issues
Has anyone successfully used Chime for their NY unemployment direct deposits? I just filed my claim last week and tried to set up direct deposit with my Chime account, but I'm getting weird verification errors. The NYSDOL system keeps saying my account can't be verified. When I called, I was on hold for 2 hours before getting disconnected. Really don't want to wait for a debit card if I don't have to. Anyone else have this problem with Chime specifically?
23 comments
Chris Elmeda
I use Chime with my NY unemployment without any issues now, but it was a mess at first. The verification system is super picky about how you enter your Chime account details. Make sure you're using the account/routing numbers from the 'Direct Deposit' section in your Chime app (not the ones you might see elsewhere). Also, double check that you're entering your name EXACTLY as it appears on your Chime account - even a missing middle initial can cause verification to fail.
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Annabel Kimball
Thanks for the tip! I'll double check everything. Do you remember if there was a specific verification process you had to go through with Chime? I swear I entered everything correctly.
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Jean Claude
chime works fine for me got my money since january no problems ever
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Annabel Kimball
How long did it take for your account to get verified initially? I'm wondering if I just need to wait longer.
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Charity Cohan
I HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM!!! The stupid system kept rejecting my Chime account for TWO WEEKS!! Every time I tried to update my banking info it would say "unable to verify account information" and I nearly lost my mind. Called like 50 times and never got through. The unemployment system is BROKEN and they don't care about us!!
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Annabel Kimball
Oh no, two weeks?? I can't wait that long. Did you eventually get it to work or did you have to switch to the debit card?
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Charity Cohan
I gave up and took the stupid debit card. NOW I have to pay fees to transfer money to my actual bank. Such a scam. The whole system is designed to make everything as difficult as possible.
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Josef Tearle
Some online banks like Chime can have verification issues with government systems. This happens because the NY unemployment system uses a verification service that sometimes has trouble with newer online-only banks. Three suggestions: 1. Try entering your information during non-peak hours (very early morning) 2. Make sure your Chime account is properly activated and has been open for at least 30 days 3. Verify your address on file with Chime matches EXACTLY what's on your unemployment claim If none of that works, you might need to call and speak with someone who can manually verify your account. The wait times are unfortunately very long right now.
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Annabel Kimball
Thank you for the detailed response! My Chime account is definitely older than 30 days, but I'll double check the address matching. The calling part is what's killing me - I can't get through no matter what time I try.
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Shelby Bauman
After trying for days to reach someone at unemployment about my direct deposit issues (not Chime but similar problem), I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual person at NYSDOL in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. It basically holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. Saved me so much time and frustration! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE and their website is claimyr.com
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Annabel Kimball
I've never heard of this before. Did it actually work? I'm desperate at this point so willing to try anything that might help me talk to a real person.
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Shelby Bauman
Yeah it really worked for me! I was skeptical at first but after spending literally days trying to get through on my own, it was worth it. The agent I spoke with was able to manually verify my banking info and fix the issue right away.
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Quinn Herbert
my cousin had this problem too lol. he said he just kept trying different ways to type his address until it worked. like instead of "Avenue" he put "Ave" and it went through. weird system they got!
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Josef Tearle
This is actually a great point. The verification system can be very particular about formatting. Try variations like: - St vs Street - Ave vs Avenue - No apartment/unit number, then try with it - All caps for address It shouldn't matter, but sometimes these small formatting differences can get around verification glitches.
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Salim Nasir
I was having the same issue but not with Chime - with Current. Turned out that I needed to verify my email first before the direct deposit would work. Have you checked if there are any pending verification steps in your NY.gov account? Sometimes there's a little notification you might miss that's holding everything up.
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Annabel Kimball
I didn't think about checking for pending verifications! Let me go look at my account again. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Chris Elmeda
Quick update - in 2025, the NY unemployment system sometimes flags online banks for additional verification. There's a specific form (DD-285) you might need to submit if the online verification fails. You can find it in your documents section on the portal. That form lets you provide additional verification for online banks like Chime, Current, etc.
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Annabel Kimball
Just checked and you're right! There's a DD-285 form in my account that I completely missed. Filling it out now. Thank you so much for pointing this out!
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Charity Cohan
did anybody else notice they take FOREVER to process direct deposit changes now?? even after verification it took them 9 days to switch mine. they don't tell you that part!!
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Jean Claude
chime works good for everything else but government stuff is always complicated
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Annabel Kimball
UPDATE: Got it fixed! Ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned to get through to an agent. Turns out there was a mismatch between how my name was entered in the NYSDOL system and my Chime account (I had my middle initial on one but not the other). The agent manually approved my direct deposit and said it should be working for my next payment. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Chris Elmeda
Great news! Thanks for updating us. This will help others with similar issues.
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Charity Cohan
lucky you! glad it worked out
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