Lost my NY unemployment debit card - can I switch to direct deposit?

Sorry about ur lost card, that sucks. Yes you can switch to direct deposit. Go to ur NY unemployment account, click on payment method and enter ur bank info. The money already on the card stays on the card (you'll still need the replacement) but future payments will go to ur bank. Direct deposit usually takes effect after 1-2 payment cycles. When I did it, my next payment went to direct deposit. Just make sure u put in the right account/routing #s!

I found the absolute best way to deal with NY unemployment. After struggling to reach anyone for days, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to a live agent within an hour! The agent was able to expedite my card replacement AND help me switch to direct deposit at the same time. Saved me literally weeks of stress and waiting. Check out how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - talking to a real human made all the difference in getting my money faster.

ive been through this exact thing. the system is GARBAGE. the replacement card took 3 weeks to come (not the 7-10 days they promised) and i was basically screwed the whole time. definitely switch to direct deposit ASAP to avoid future problems but any money already on the card stays there. ur only hope is to try calling them directly but good luck getting thru lol

When this happened to me i went to a branch of the bank that issues the card (KeyBank i think?) and they were able to give me some emergency cash from my account after i showed ID. Not the full amount but enough to cover immediate bills. Maybe try that?

Setting up direct deposit for NY unemployment is definitely the way to go - I wish I'd done it from the beginning. Here's exactly what you need to do to switch: 1. Log into your NY.gov account and go to your unemployment dashboard 2. Look for "Update Your Personal Information" and select "Update Direct Deposit Information" 3. You'll need your bank account number and routing number (found on checks or your banking app) 4. Once submitted, it usually takes 3-5 business days to process the change As for your current funds, unfortunately those are still tied to the card. But there are options: - Call the KeyBank card services at 1-866-295-2955 and explain your situation - sometimes they can expedite a replacement - If you have the card number, you might be able to transfer funds online to another account - Some people have had success visiting a KeyBank branch in person with proper ID If you're really stuck and can't get through on the phones (which happens A LOT), I highly recommend using claimyr.com - they'll connect you with a live unemployment agent who can help with all of this. When I needed to make changes to my account, it was the only way I actually got to speak with someone instead of just hitting dead ends on the phone system for days. Hang in there - the system is incredibly frustrating but there are ways through it!

Listen carefully: CALL THE BANK BACK AND TELL THEM IT'S AN EMERGENCY FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. Use those exact words. They have an expedited shipping option they don't tell you about unless you specifically ask or mention hardship. I got my replacement in 3 days this way. The regular customer service ppl wont offer this unless u specifically ask.

This whole debit card system is such a scam. The bank makes $$ off all our transactions and the state saves money by not processing direct deposits. Meanwhile we suffer when cards get lost or stolen. I've been telling everyone to switch to direct deposit from day 1.

I work at a bank (not KeyBank) but here's what I suggest - call and specifically request a emergency replacement card with expedited shipping. There's usually a fee (like $15-25) but worth it to get it in 1-2 business days. Also ask if they can waive the fee due to hardship - many banks will. Also def switch to DD for future payments!

after i had this same issue i tried for DAYS to reach someone at ny unemployment with no luck.finally used claimyr.com and got thru to a person who fixed everything in 10 minutes. best decision ever. they helped me get the funds released and setup direct deposit all in one call

don't waste ur time trying to get the money off the lost card. just switch to direct deposit for future payments and wait for the new card. the system is designed to make it hard on purpose. they WANT you to give up.

Not sure if anyone mentioned this but you can also choose to receive paper checks instead of direct deposit if you don't want to provide bank account info. Take a lil longer but some people prefer it.

this happened to my roommate and we learned you can actually transfer money off the KeyBank card to another account even without the physical card if you have the card number and access to the online account! might be worth a try if you saved that info somewhere

yo the ny unemployment system is completely broken. even if u switch to direct deposit (which u should) ur probably gonna have issues. i ended up having to hire a lawyer after 3 months of getting nowhere on my own.

I highly recommend switching to direct deposit regardless. The debit cards are a nightmare - fees for certain ATMs, random fraud holds, and as you've discovered, a huge hassle when lost. The $ already on the card will stay there but future payments will go to your bank. Setup is pretty easy on the unemployment website.

have u tried contacting your local state representative? when i had issues with ny unemployment last year i called my state assemblyman's office and they have special contacts at unemployment who can help move things along. worth a shot if ur desperate.

anyone else think it's crazy that in 2023 the default payment method is still these stupid debit cards instead of direct deposit? the whole system is designed to be difficult on purpose.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and it was incredibly stressful. Here's what worked for me: First, definitely call KeyBank back and use the words "financial hardship" - they have expedited replacement options they don't advertise. I got mine in 3 days instead of 2 weeks. Second, absolutely switch to direct deposit for future payments. Log into your NY.gov unemployment account and update your payment method. It takes about 1-2 payment cycles to kick in, but it's so much more reliable than these cards. For the money already on your lost card - that stays tied to the card account, so you'll still need the replacement to access it. But some people have had luck going to a KeyBank branch with ID to get emergency cash access. If you're really struggling to get through to anyone by phone (which is super common), your local state representative's office can sometimes help cut through the red tape. They have direct contacts at the unemployment office that regular people can't reach. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but there are ways to get your money. The direct deposit switch will save you from this headache in the future!