How to update direct deposit info for NY unemployment benefits when phone support fails
I'm trying to update my direct deposit information for my NY unemployment benefits but it's driving me CRAZY! The website is confusing and I can't find where to update my banking info. I tried calling the NYSDOL several times but keep getting transferred or disconnected. One rep told me to go to the payment method section, another said I need to do it through NY.gov ID. Has anyone successfully changed their direct deposit info recently? What's the actual process? I just want my money to go to my new account!
40 comments


Aisha Rahman
Here's how to update your direct deposit: Log into your NY.gov ID account, go to My Online Services, select Unemployment Insurance, click on 'Update Your Personal Information', then choose 'Update Payment Method'. You'll need your bank routing and account numbers ready. Make sure to double-check the numbers - even one digit wrong will cause your payment to be rejected and delay everything.
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Mateo Perez
•Thanks for this! I got to the 'Update Your Personal Information' part but I don't see an option for 'Update Payment Method' anywhere. Is it hidden in a submenu or something?
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CosmicCrusader
just did this last month. u gotta do it early morningbefore 9am or late at night after 8pm. the systm gets overloaded during day and the button doesnt show up sometimes. Stupid design.
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Mateo Perez
•Are you serious?? That's ridiculous! I'll try tonight after dinner I guess. Thanks for the tip.
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Ethan Brown
•This is accurate advice. The system does maintenance and updates during off-peak hours, which sometimes affects which features are visible. I've found that Sunday evenings are actually the best time to make account changes.
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Yuki Yamamoto
I had the same problem last week! The button was grayed out for me too. So frustrating!
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Mateo Perez
•Did you ever get it to work? What finally fixed it for you?
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Yuki Yamamoto
•Ya! Tried at 10pm and it worked fine. System is weird.
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Carmen Ortiz
Just a warning from my experience - after you update your direct deposit info, there's a 7-10 day verification period where they might send you a paper check instead. Don't panic if your first payment after changing doesn't go to your new account. The system is designed this way to prevent fraud, but nobody tells you about it! I spent hours on the phone trying to figure out where my money went, only to get a check in the mail days later.
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Mateo Perez
•Oh wow, good to know! I would have definitely panicked if I didn't see the deposit. Their communication about these things is terrible.
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Andre Rousseau
Typical NYSDOL garbage system. They DELIBERATELY make it hard to update your info so people get frustrated and give up. I tried for WEEKS to update my bank info and finally got through to someone after 30+ calls. THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DENY BENEFITS!!
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CosmicCrusader
•i dont think its on purpose man, just outdated tech. my brother works in state IT, says all the systems are from like 1995 lol
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Andre Rousseau
•WAKE UP! They've had YEARS to fix it and millions in funding. They WANT it broken!!!
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Zoe Papadakis
After struggling with the same issue for days, I finally used Claimyr to get through to an actual agent at NYSDOL. Took less than 20 minutes to get connected and the agent walked me through the exact steps while on the phone. Was definitely worth it after wasting hours trying to do it myself. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - the site is claimyr.com if you're tired of hitting redial all day.
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Mateo Perez
•I've never heard of this before. Does it really work? I'm desperate at this point so I'll try anything.
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Zoe Papadakis
•Yes, it actually does. The agent I spoke with could see that there was a technical issue with my account that was preventing the payment method option from appearing. They fixed it on their end and then stayed on the line while I updated my info. Saved me days of frustration.
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Ethan Brown
To clarify a few things about updating direct deposit information for NY unemployment: 1. The correct path is: NY.gov ID login → My NY.gov → Unemployment Services → Update Personal Information → Update Payment Method 2. If the Update Payment Method option isn't visible, it could be due to: - System maintenance (try during off-hours as suggested) - A pending payment already in process (must wait until after it clears) - Technical account flag requiring agent assistance 3. After updating, there is indeed a 7-10 day verification period for security purposes 4. Screenshots and step-by-step guides are available in the NYSDOL virtual assistant under "Payment Methods" If you continue having issues after trying during off-hours, calling and specifically asking for the "Payment Processing Department" can sometimes get you to the right person faster.
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Mateo Perez
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! I tried last night around 11pm and the option finally showed up. Was able to update my banking info successfully. Now I'll just wait and see if the next payment goes through correctly. Fingers crossed!
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Ethan Brown
•Great to hear! Remember that first payment will likely come as a paper check. If you want to verify the change was processed correctly, you can check your payment method status under the "Payment History" section - it should show your new bank account (last 4 digits only) for any pending payments.
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Carmen Ortiz
Just wanted to add something I learned when updating my direct deposit info in February. If you try to use a prepaid card account or certain online banks, the system sometimes rejects them even though they're valid accounts. The NYSDOL system seems to prefer traditional bank accounts from major banks. Had to switch from my online bank to my credit union account to get it to go through.
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Mateo Perez
•I'm using Chase so hopefully that's traditional enough! Thanks for the tip though, that's good information for anyone using online-only banks.
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CosmicCrusader
did u fix it yet? let us know what worked so other people can see
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Mateo Perez
•Yes! Tried at 11pm and the option appeared. Successfully updated my info and according to the payment history, the next deposit should go to my new account (after a possible paper check for the first payment). Thanks to everyone for the help!
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Malik Davis
I've been helping people with NYSDOL issues for years and want to share a few additional tips that might help others facing similar problems: 1. Clear your browser cache and cookies before attempting to update payment info - sometimes old session data interferes with the form display 2. If you're still having trouble after trying off-hours, try using a different browser entirely (Chrome vs Firefox vs Safari) 3. Make sure you have your bank's correct routing number - many people use their debit card number instead of the actual bank routing number, which causes rejections 4. Keep a screenshot of your successful update confirmation - if there are any issues later, this serves as proof that you made the change The system definitely has its quirks, but once you know the workarounds it's manageable. Glad to see @Mateo Perez got it sorted out! For anyone still struggling, persistence and trying during off-peak hours really does make the difference.
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Taylor To
•These are really helpful tips! I wish I had known about clearing the cache earlier - that might have saved me some headaches. The routing number confusion is definitely something to watch out for. I almost made that mistake myself until I double-checked with my bank. Thanks for sharing your experience helping others with these issues!
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Amara Eze
One thing I learned the hard way - if you have any pending payments or certifications when you try to update your direct deposit info, it can block the option from showing up entirely. I had to wait until after my weekly certification was processed before the "Update Payment Method" button became available. Also, if you've recently filed a new claim or had any changes to your employment status, there might be a temporary hold on account modifications. Worth checking your claim status first to make sure everything is current before attempting the update.
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Serene Snow
•That's a really important point about pending certifications! I wish this information was more clearly communicated on the website. It would save people so much time and frustration if they knew to check their claim status first. I wonder how many people are stuck in a loop trying to update their info when they just need to wait for their weekly certification to process. Thanks for sharing this - it could help a lot of people avoid the same confusion.
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A Man D Mortal
This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm new to dealing with NY unemployment and was getting so frustrated trying to figure out the direct deposit update process. Reading through everyone's experiences has given me a clear roadmap: try during off-peak hours (evenings/early morning), make sure I don't have any pending certifications, clear my browser cache, and have my routing number (not debit card number) ready. It's ridiculous that the system is this finicky, but at least now I know what to expect. Going to attempt this tonight around 10pm and hopefully join the success stories. Thanks to everyone who shared their tips and workarounds - this community is a lifesaver when the official support channels fail!
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Sarah Ali
•Welcome to the NY unemployment maze! You've definitely got the right strategy mapped out from everyone's advice here. One small addition - if you're doing this for the first time, make sure you're logged into your NY.gov ID account (not just the general unemployment site) before you start looking for the update option. I made that mistake initially and couldn't figure out why I wasn't seeing the right menus. Good luck tonight, and don't get discouraged if it takes a couple tries - the system really is that temperamental!
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Emily Nguyen-Smith
For anyone still having issues, I wanted to mention that the mobile app version sometimes works when the desktop site doesn't. I was stuck for days trying to update my direct deposit on my laptop, but when I downloaded the NY.gov app and tried through there, the "Update Payment Method" option was visible right away during normal business hours. Not sure why there's a difference, but it's worth trying if you've exhausted the off-hours approach. Also, make sure your phone number on file is current - I think the system sends verification texts during the update process, and if it can't reach you, it might block the update from completing.
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Amina Sy
•That's a great tip about the mobile app! I never would have thought to try that. It's so weird how the same system can work differently across platforms, but I guess that's just the reality with these older government systems. The point about keeping your phone number updated is also really important - I bet a lot of people overlook that detail. Thanks for sharing this alternative approach, it could be a game-changer for people who are stuck with the desktop version not cooperating!
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Fatima Al-Rashid
I just want to add another potential solution that worked for me after trying everything else mentioned here. If you're still having issues accessing the "Update Payment Method" option, try logging out completely, clearing your browser data (cookies, cache, saved passwords), and then logging back in using an incognito/private browsing window. Sometimes the system gets confused with stored login sessions and this forces a fresh connection. Also, I noticed that if you navigate away from the unemployment section and come back to it during the same session, the payment update option might disappear again. In that case, you have to log out and log back in to refresh the menu options. It's annoying but this workaround saved me from having to wait until late night hours to make the change.
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StarSeeker
•That's a brilliant workaround! The incognito window trick makes so much sense - it completely bypasses any session conflicts or cached data issues. I never thought about how navigating away and coming back could mess with the menu options, but that explains why some people see the option initially and then it disappears. This is definitely going in my troubleshooting toolkit for when I help other people with NYSDOL issues. It's frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops, but at least the community here has figured out creative solutions that actually work. Thanks for sharing this - the fresh session approach could save people hours of waiting for off-peak times!
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Mia Roberts
Just wanted to share my recent experience updating direct deposit info - I had success using a combination of the strategies mentioned here. First, I tried the incognito browser window approach that @Fatima Al-Rashid suggested around 2pm on a Tuesday, and surprisingly it worked! The "Update Payment Method" option appeared right away. However, when I tried to submit the form, it gave me an error saying "system temporarily unavailable." So I waited until 9pm and tried again in the same incognito window, and it went through perfectly. The key seems to be using incognito mode AND trying during off-peak hours for the actual submission, even if you can see the option during the day. Also confirming that my first payment after the change came as a paper check about 5 days later, then subsequent payments went to my new account as expected. Hope this helps anyone still struggling with this process!
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Miguel Diaz
•This is exactly the kind of detailed experience report that helps so much! The combination approach makes perfect sense - incognito mode to bypass the session issues, but still needing off-peak hours for the actual form submission to work. It's like the system has multiple layers of problems that need different solutions. Thanks for confirming the paper check timeline too - knowing it took 5 days helps set realistic expectations. I'm bookmarking this thread because between everyone's contributions, we've basically created the unofficial troubleshooting guide that NYSDOL should have provided from the start!
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Isabella Costa
This thread is absolutely gold! As someone who works in user experience design, reading through all these workarounds makes me both impressed by this community's problem-solving skills and frustrated by how poorly designed the NYSDOL system is. You all have essentially reverse-engineered a broken system and created a comprehensive troubleshooting guide. I'm saving this entire conversation because it covers every possible scenario - timing issues, browser problems, mobile vs desktop differences, session conflicts, and even account status dependencies. It's incredible that users have to figure out things like "try incognito mode during off-peak hours" or "check for pending certifications first" when these should be basic system functions. The fact that @Mateo Perez got help here in a few hours when official support failed him repeatedly says everything about the value of community knowledge sharing. Hopefully NYSDOL will eventually fix these issues, but until then, this thread should be pinned as the definitive guide!
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Amina Bah
•Absolutely agree! As someone who's been lurking here trying to figure out my own direct deposit issues, this thread has been more helpful than hours of searching through official NYSDOL resources. It's wild that we need a community-sourced troubleshooting guide just to update banking information - something that should be straightforward. What really gets me is how each person discovered a different piece of the puzzle (off-peak hours, incognito mode, mobile app, pending certifications blocking updates) and by sharing their experiences, we now have this comprehensive workaround manual. @Mateo Perez went from frustrated and stuck to successfully updating his info, all thanks to everyone jumping in with their hard-earned knowledge. This is exactly why community forums are so valuable - real people solving real problems when official channels fail. NYSDOL should honestly just link to threads like this instead of their useless FAQ pages!
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Zoe Papadakis
This entire thread should be required reading for anyone dealing with NYSDOL! I came here completely lost after spending two days trying to update my direct deposit info, and now I have a clear action plan. What strikes me most is how this community has collectively documented every possible failure point and workaround - from system timing issues to browser conflicts to account status dependencies. It's honestly better documentation than anything NYSDOL provides. I'm going to try the incognito browser approach during off-peak hours tonight, and I feel way more confident knowing what to expect thanks to everyone's shared experiences. Special shoutout to @Mateo Perez for asking the original question and following up with his success - it's so helpful when people close the loop and confirm what actually worked! This is community problem-solving at its finest.
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Caleb Stark
•I'm totally new here but wow, this thread is incredible! I've been struggling with the exact same direct deposit update issue for over a week now. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been such a relief - I was starting to think I was going crazy trying to navigate the NYSDOL system. The step-by-step breakdown from @Aisha Rahman, the timing tips from @CosmicCrusader, and all the advanced troubleshooting from @Fatima Al-Rashid and @Mia Roberts gives me hope that I can actually get this sorted out. It s amazing'how this community has basically created the user manual that should have existed from day one. Going to try the incognito browser method tonight around 10pm with my routing number ready. Thanks to everyone for sharing your hard-won knowledge - this is exactly why communities like this are so valuable when official support systems fail us!
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Jamal Wilson
Welcome to the community @Caleb Stark! This thread really has become the unofficial NYSDOL direct deposit troubleshooting bible. I love seeing how everyone's individual struggles turned into this comprehensive solution guide. One small tip I'd add to your 10pm attempt tonight - after you successfully update your info in incognito mode, take a screenshot of the confirmation page like @Malik Davis suggested. I learned this the hard way when I had to prove to an agent that I had actually made the change correctly. Also, don't be discouraged if the first attempt doesn't work - sometimes it takes 2-3 tries even with all the right conditions. The system truly is that finicky! Looking forward to hearing your success story tomorrow. Good luck tonight!
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