Chase routing number rejected for NY unemployment direct deposit despite accurate information

Yes! This is happening to a lot of people right now. My roommate had the same issue last month with her Bank of America account. The system kept rejecting her routing number even though it was 100% correct. She ended up having to call them (which was a nightmare). Took her 3 days of calling to finally get through.

After struggling with the same thing I finally found a solution! I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it actually worked. You put in your number and they call the unemployment office for you, stay on hold, then call you when a real person picks up. Talking to an agent got my direct deposit issues fixed in one call. Honestly it was the only way I could talk to a live agent and get my money flowing again. Check out their explanation video if you're curious: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Pro tip: that error usually means there's something specific about your account type that the system doesn't like. I had the same issue with my online-only bank. Try using a different checking account if you have one, or just get the KeyBank card and then transfer the money out once it arrives.

I went through this EXACT same thing two weeks ago! The problem is they're rejecting certain types of routing numbers. Chase has different routing numbers depending on where you opened the account and when. Call the unemployment office (I know, I know) and tell them specifically that you're getting the routing number rejection error. The lady I finally talked to manually entered it for me and overrode the system.

The NY unemployment system is literally the most broken piece of garbage on the planet. I had this SAME problem and ended up just taking the stupid debit card because I couldn't get anyone on the phone. Then when I finally got the card, half the ATMs wouldn't accept it without charging fees. 🤬

I work in banking (not for Chase but another major bank). This is happening because NY unemployment's system has outdated routing number databases. Banks occasionally update their routing numbers or have special ones for electronic transfers vs paper checks. Your best bet is to: 1. Call Chase directly and ask for their ACH routing number specifically for direct deposits. It might be different than what's on your check. 2. If that doesn't work, you'll need to contact unemployment directly. I know getting through is nearly impossible, but using a service like claimyr.com can help - they'll wait on hold for you and call when a rep picks up. 3. As a last resort, accept the KeyBank card but immediately set up a transfer to move the money to your regular account when it arrives. The system is rejecting certain routing numbers that have been flagged in their database for whatever reason. It's annoying but fixable if you can talk to a human.

Just take the KeyBank card honestly. I tried for weeks to fix my direct deposit and gave up. The card comes pretty quick (about 7 days for me) and you can transfer the money out easily.

its definately a glitch in there system. my wife was gettin the same error and we KNOW the routing number was right. she kept trying different variations of our account number (with and without the check number) and eventually it went through. maybe try that?

why is no one talking about how the whole NY unemployment UI got a "upgrade" last summer and has been a complete dumpster fire ever since??? They broke what was already a bad system and made it 10x worse. I've heard they reject routing numbers from online banks and certain credit unions now too.

i had this EXACT issue. turns out chase has different routing numbers for different regions. check your online banking for the electronic routing number - it might be different than whats on your checks! That solved it for me.

try this: add a zero to the beginning of ur account number. sounds crazy but it worked for my brother with the same error

I had this EXACT same issue with my Wells Fargo account last month! The system kept rejecting my routing number even though I verified it multiple times. What finally worked for me was calling Chase customer service first and asking specifically for their "ACH routing number" for direct deposits - turns out it was different from what was printed on my checks! After I got the correct ACH routing number from Chase, I was able to enter it successfully on the NY DOL site. The whole direct deposit process went through without any issues after that. Definitely worth trying before you give up and accept the KeyBank card option. Also, when you do get it working, screenshot everything for your records because their system has been glitchy lately and sometimes "forgets" your banking info.

I'm dealing with the EXACT same issue right now! Been trying for 3 days straight with my Chase account and getting that same error message every single time. It's so frustrating because I know the routing number (121000497) and account number are 100% correct - I've checked them against my checks, online banking, even called Chase to verify. The most annoying part is that the error message makes it sound like there's something wrong with my account type, but it's just a regular checking account I've had for years. I've used this same account for direct deposit with other employers without any issues. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like calling the unemployment office is really the only solution, even though getting through seems nearly impossible. I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned since I literally cannot afford to spend 3+ hours on hold every day trying to get through. Has anyone had success just waiting it out? Like, does the system sometimes randomly start accepting the same routing number after a few days? Or is this definitely something that requires human intervention to fix?

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Been stuck on this routing number error for Chase for almost two weeks. What's really frustrating is that I used this same account for my state tax refund direct deposit just last month with zero issues, so I know the routing and account numbers are correct. I tried calling Chase yesterday and the rep confirmed my routing number (121000497) is correct for both checks and electronic transfers - no separate ACH number needed. But the NY DOL system still rejects it every single time with that same "traditional checking account" error message. I'm honestly about to just give up and take the KeyBank card at this point. The whole system is clearly broken and I can't afford to keep waiting for benefits while trying to fight with their glitchy website. It's ridiculous that in 2025 we still can't get a basic direct deposit to work properly. Has anyone who ended up taking the debit card regretted it? Like are there hidden fees or other issues I should know about before I throw in the towel on direct deposit?