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NY unemployment direct deposit error - can't update banking info for 2 weeks

I've been trying to update my direct deposit info in the NY unemployment system for TWO WEEKS now and nothing is working! My old NetSpend account was closed and they mailed the remaining balance as a check, but DOL keeps trying to send my benefits there. Every time I try to update my banking info, I get this error message saying 'information is mismatched' and can't proceed. I called tech support yesterday and the guy literally told me '20 billion people have been saying the same thing all day.' Seriously?? The DOL people told me to just claim my week as usual and when the payment gets rejected, they'd automatically send it on a KeyBank card. Well, I've been claiming for 2 weeks now, no payments have been issued to my new bank account, and I haven't received any KeyBank card either. I'm completely stuck! I have a new bank account ready to go but there's no way to update it in their system. Has anyone found a workaround for this? I'm getting desperate here.

Aisha Jackson

I'm having this EXACT SAME PROBLEM since last week! My Chase account was compromised, so I had to open a new one with a different account number. Now I can't update my direct deposit info either. The system just gives me that 'information mismatched' error over and over. And no one at NYSDOL seems to have any solution besides 'wait and see' which doesn't pay my rent!

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Adrian Connor

It's unbelievable they can't fix this! Did they tell you how long it would take? The guy I talked to basically just said they're aware of the issue but had no timeline for when it would be fixed.

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Ryder Everingham

I work in IT (not for unemployment) and this sounds like a database sync issue between the payment system and the user profile system. Unfortunately these kinds of system-wide glitches often take time to resolve because they have to identify the root cause, develop a fix, test it, and then implement it without disrupting other functions. In the meantime, you should keep documenting everything: 1. Take screenshots of the error message 2. Write down the names and ID numbers of anyone you speak with 3. Ask for a ticket/case number each time you call 4. Request that they note in your file that you've been attempting to update your banking info This documentation will help if you need to file for back payments once the system is fixed.

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Adrian Connor

Thank you for the explanation! I've been taking screenshots but didn't think to ask for ticket numbers. I'll definitely do that next time I call. Do you think I should keep claiming weekly even though the money is going nowhere? I'm afraid of messing something up worse.

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Lilly Curtis

Absolutely keep claiming every week! Missing weeks is worse than having payments rejected. The system logs your claims, and once they fix the issue, you should get all your back payments. I had something similar happen in January when their system wouldn't accept my new routing number. I had to call constantly for 3 weeks until I finally got someone who could help. Make sure to call right when they open at 8:00 am - the wait times are shorter.

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Adrian Connor

OK thanks for confirming! I'll keep certifying weekly. Did they eventually backpay you for all the weeks when your payments were being rejected?

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Leo Simmons

this happend to my sister too but with wells fargo. she got a keybank card after like 3 weeks. just keep claiming and eventually they'll send it. the system is garbage lol

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Adrian Connor

3 weeks!! I can't wait that long but I guess I have no choice. Did the KeyBank card just show up in her mail or did they notify her it was coming?

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Leo Simmons

just showed up no warning or anything. check your mail careful so u dont throw it away thinking its junk

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Lindsey Fry

After fighting with NYSDOL for weeks over direct deposit issues, I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual agent in under 10 minutes (after spending DAYS trying on my own). The agent was able to override something in the system and manually update my banking info. Totally worth it for me because I was about to miss rent. Check out their demo video here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - much better than sitting on hold for hours only to get disconnected. Their website is claimyr.com if you want to look into it.

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Saleem Vaziri

Is this a legit service? Sounds kinda sketchy. How does it work?

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Lindsey Fry

Yeah it's legit. They basically call NYSDOL for you and when they get through, they connect you with the agent. I was skeptical too but I was desperate after trying to call for days. The agent I got was able to see all the rejected payments and fixed my account on the spot.

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Adrian Connor

Thanks for the suggestion! At this point I'm willing to try anything. I just watched their demo video and it seems straightforward. I'll give their service a try tomorrow morning if I can't get through on my own again.

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Kayla Morgan

The direct deposit system errors have been happening since they "upgraded" their software in February 2025. My cousin works for the state (not DOL) and said they rushed the implementation without proper testing. Classic government IT disaster!!! THEY DON'T CARE that people are waiting for money to pay bills!!! I had this same issue last month and had to borrow money from family until my KeyBank card finally arrived. The whole system is DESIGNED to be frustrating so people give up claiming!!

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Lilly Curtis

While I understand your frustration, I don't think it's accurate to say the system is designed to make people give up. Government systems are often outdated and underfunded, leading to these kinds of problems when they try to modernize. It's more likely incompetence than malice.

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Kayla Morgan

Say what you want but why does it take WEEKS to fix a simple database issue?? Meanwhile people can't pay rent or buy food. If a bank had this problem they'd fix it in HOURS not WEEKS. But since it's unemployment they don't care!!

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Aisha Jackson

UPDATE: I got through to someone today and they told me this is a known issue affecting thousands of accounts! They said their tech team is working on it but they don't have an ETA for the fix. In the meantime, they're manually routing rejected payments to KeyBank cards, but there's a backlog on that too. So basically... we wait. 😫

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Adrian Connor

Thanks for the update. That's so frustrating! Did they give you any indication of how long the backlog is for KeyBank cards? I'm going on week 3 now...

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Aisha Jackson

The person I talked to said the KeyBank cards are taking 10-15 business days to process and mail out once your payment gets rejected. And that's AFTER your payment gets processed and rejected, which is also taking extra time because of the system issues. Total mess.

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James Maki

So I had this same problem back in January when I switched from Bank of America to TD Bank. What worked for me was going to my local NY Department of Labor office in person. Brought all my ID, account info, etc. The person there couldn't fix the system error but they were able to put a special note on my account to force the payment to my new account. Got my money 2 days later. Might be worth trying if you can get to a physical office!

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Adrian Connor

Oh wow, I didn't even think about going in person! Do you know if you need an appointment or can you just walk in during business hours? I'll try anything at this point.

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James Maki

You need an appointment at most offices but some have walk-in hours. Check the NYSDOL website for your local office. Just make sure you bring every possible ID and document you might need - they're super strict about verification.

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Adrian Connor

I finally got through to someone who could help! After trying Claimyr this morning (which actually worked to get me past the hold time), I spoke with an agent who explained that my payments were in a 'pending rejection' status. They manually pushed them through to a KeyBank card that should arrive within 7-10 business days. The rep also said they're hoping to have the direct deposit update issue fixed by the end of next week, but no guarantees. For now, at least I know my money is coming eventually. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

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Lilly Curtis

Glad you got some resolution! Make sure to keep claiming your weekly benefits even while waiting for the card. Once you get it, you can either use it as is or set up a transfer to your regular bank account (though there may be fees).

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Saleem Vaziri

not to change the subject but does anyone know if they're gonna extend benefits again this year? my 26 weeks are almost up and im still looking for work

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Lilly Curtis

That's a separate topic - you might want to create a new thread for that question so people can find it more easily. But the short answer is there's been no announcement about benefit extensions for 2025 yet.

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