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.

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.