How to change direct deposit info for NY unemployment benefits to a different card?

Yes, you can definitely update your direct deposit info online! Log into your NY.gov account, go to 'My Online Services,' then click on 'Unemployment Services.' Look for 'Update Your Direct Deposit Information' under the payment method section. You'll need your new account number and routing number ready. The system will ask you to verify the information twice. Changes usually take effect within 1-2 business cycles.

Just a heads up, I tried changing my direct deposit info online last month and got stuck in an endless loop where the site kept saying "processing" but never completed. Ended up having to call anyway. Make sure you take screenshots of everything in case something goes wrong!

i changed mine few weeks ago it worked fine but took like 5 days to actually switch over so dont wait til last minute

If you're having trouble getting through to a representative to help with your direct deposit change (which sometimes you need to do if the online system gives errors), I used Claimyr and they got me connected to an actual person in about 20 minutes instead of trying for days. Totally worth it when I needed to fix my payment method quickly. They have a demo of how it works at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE and the website is claimyr.com

Make sure when you enter your new account information you double and triple check the numbers! My friend made a typo in his routing number and his payment got rejected. Then he had to wait almost 3 weeks to get it sorted out and get a paper check instead. The system doesn't have any way to validate if the account info you enter is correct until they try to send the money.

One more important thing to note - when you update your direct deposit information, the DOL will send you an email confirmation. If you don't receive that confirmation within 24 hours, that's a sign something went wrong with the change. Also, the first payment after changing might revert to a paper check as a security measure before the direct deposit to your new account begins.

while ur in there updating ur bank stuff make sure ur address is right too. my roomate moved and forgot to update that and his tax docs got sent to our old place last year what a mess

Update: I tried changing my direct deposit info online and it actually worked! The system was a bit slow but after I entered my new account and routing number, I got a confirmation page. Just got the email confirmation too. Thanks everyone for your help!

Congrats on getting it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're switching from one major bank to another, it's usually pretty smooth. But if you're going from a traditional bank to one of those newer online-only banks or fintech apps, sometimes there can be extra delays. The DOL system seems to take a bit longer to recognize some of the newer routing numbers. Also, keep your old account open for at least one payment cycle just in case there's any hiccup and they need to reverse a payment back to the original account.

This is such helpful info! I'm actually in a similar situation - just opened a new account at a credit union and need to switch my unemployment payments over. Based on what everyone's saying, it sounds like doing it online is worth trying first, but I'm definitely going to take screenshots of everything and double-check those account numbers. Thanks for sharing your experience Mei, it gives me confidence that the system actually works sometimes! Planning to do this today so I have plenty of time before my next payment.

Just want to emphasize what others have said about timing - definitely don't wait until the last minute! I updated mine about 6 months ago and even though I got the confirmation email right away, the actual switch took almost a full week. My first payment after the change went to my old account, then the second one went to the new one. Also pro tip: if you're switching to a completely different bank (not just a new card from the same bank), call your old bank and let them know you're expecting one final deposit so they don't automatically return it if the account is closed. Learned that the hard way!

Hey everyone! I just went through this same process last week and wanted to share a couple additional tips that might help others. First, if you're using mobile to access the NY.gov site, try switching to desktop if you run into any glitches - the mobile version seems less reliable for these kinds of updates. Second, I discovered that if you have multiple unemployment claims (like if you had to reopen a claim), make sure you're updating the direct deposit info for the RIGHT claim period. There's a dropdown menu that's easy to miss. Also, even though the system says changes take 1-2 business cycles, in my experience it was exactly 5 business days from when I submitted the change to when my payment hit the new account. So plan accordingly! The online system definitely works when it's working properly, just give yourself plenty of time and have a backup plan ready.

This thread has been so incredibly helpful! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. Just wanted to add one more thing I learned from my experience with NY unemployment - if you're switching from direct deposit to a prepaid debit card (like the KeyBank card they sometimes offer), the process can be slightly different. You might need to call them directly rather than doing it online, since prepaid cards sometimes have different routing structures. Also, for anyone who's still nervous about the online system after reading about the glitches - I found that clearing your browser cache and cookies before starting the process helps avoid some of the "endless loop" issues people mentioned. And definitely use Chrome or Firefox if possible - I had problems with Safari. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences, this community is amazing for navigating these confusing government systems!

Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring! I'm in a similar boat - just switched banks and need to update my direct deposit info. It's so helpful to see that the online system actually works for most people when you follow the right steps. I'm definitely going to use the desktop version, double-check my account numbers, take screenshots, and give myself plenty of time before my next payment. One question though - has anyone had experience with switching to a smaller regional bank? I'm wondering if there might be any additional delays with banks that aren't as well-known. Either way, I feel much more confident about tackling this now. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories and tips - this community is such a lifesaver for navigating these confusing government systems!

This entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm actually dealing with this exact situation right now - need to switch my unemployment direct deposit from my old bank to a new account I just opened. Reading through everyone's experiences has given me a clear roadmap of what to expect and how to avoid common pitfalls. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about using desktop instead of mobile, taking screenshots at every step, and giving myself at least a week buffer before my next payment is due. It's amazing how many little details can make or break the process - from double-checking routing numbers to clearing browser cache to keeping the old account open for a transition period. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories, both the success stories and the cautionary tales. This community really shows how we can help each other navigate these complex government systems!

This thread is absolutely gold! I just went through the exact same process two weeks ago and I wish I had found this earlier. Everything everyone is saying is spot on. One thing I'd add is that if you're switching from a big bank to an online bank like Chime or Ally, make sure you have the correct routing number - some online banks have different routing numbers for different types of transfers. I made that mistake initially and had to redo the whole process. Also, if you get any error messages, write down the exact error code if there is one - when I had to call customer service, they were able to help me much faster when I had that information ready. The online system definitely works, just be patient and methodical about it. Thanks to everyone for creating such a comprehensive guide here!