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NY unemployment website won't let me update my direct deposit - bank account closed

I've been trying to update my direct deposit information for almost three weeks now and the unemployment website keeps giving me errors. My old bank account was closed in August (they said it was inactive too long) but I didn't realize my unemployment payments were still trying to go there until September when I checked why I wasn't getting paid. Every time I try to update to my new account info, the website either freezes or gives me some vague error message about "unable to process your request at this time." I've called the helpline about 40 times but can't get through to anyone. Has my money just disappeared into the void? Last payment attempt was for $830 two weeks ago. Anyone know how to actually get this fixed or am I just screwed?

Luca Romano

Literally going thru the SAME EXACT THING right now. My credit union account got closed because of suspicious activity (someone tried to hack it) and now my payments are going nowhere. Been trying to update for like a month. The website is such garbage, it always says "system unavailable" or just logs me out when I try to save new bank info.

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Zara Rashid

Did you ever get yours fixed? I'm getting desperate here, rent is due next week 😭

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28d

Luca Romano

Not yet 😡 Still fighting with the system. Called 23 times yesterday and nothing.

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26d

Nia Jackson

Try calling right when they open at 8am. Thats how I finally got through after weeks of trying

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25d

NebulaNova

After weeks of dealing with this exact problem, I finally found a service that helped me get through to an actual human. Used claimyr.com and got connected to an agent who fixed everything in like 10 minutes. Talking to a real person was the only thing that worked for me - they updated my bank info immediately and even released my pending payments. Best investment I've made to get my money flowing again. Check this video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

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Mateo Hernandez

wait does this actually work? I've been trying to get through for weeks

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1M

NebulaNova

Yeah it really did. I was super skeptical too but I was desperate after trying for 3 weeks. They just call and wait on hold for you then connect you once a real person answers.

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28d

Aisha Khan

yeah right, another 'miracle solution'... what's the catch? 🙄

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26d

NebulaNova

No catch that I found. They just do the hold time for you. I was about to miss rent payment so it was worth it to me.

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25d

Ethan Taylor

not falling for another unemployment 'hack'... these never work

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25d

NebulaNova

Totally get being skeptical. I was too but it worked for me. My direct deposit is fixed now and I got my back payments released.

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25d

Yuki Ito

The ny unemployment system is a freakin JOKE. Had the same problem but with changing my address. Took me TWO MONTHS to get it updated. The only thing that worked was going IN PERSON to the career center. Had to take a day off work and wait 4 hours but at least it got fixed.

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Carmen Lopez

Omg so I had this EXACT issue in August! Finally figured out a workaround - try using a different browser. Chrome kept glitching for me but when I switched to Firefox it finally worked. Also try doing it between 7-8am when the system isnt as busy. Took me 5 tries but eventually went through.

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Zara Rashid

Thanks for the tip! I've only been using Chrome. Will try Firefox tomorrow morning.

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27d

Carmen Lopez

let me know if it works! also clear ur cache first

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25d

AstroAdventurer

Listen up people I worked for NYSDOL for 6 years and I can tell you the system for changing bank info is deliberately difficult because of fraud concerns. Here's what you need to do: First, understand that online updates to direct deposit often fail because the system has to verify with your bank in real-time and this connection frequently times out. Your options: 1. Call repeatedly until you get through - early morning (8:00-8:30am) is best, midweek like Tuesday/Wednesday 2. Request paper checks temporarily - this can be done through the messaging system and is more reliable than trying to update DD online 3. If all else fails, use a service like claimyr.com - it's specifically designed to navigate the hold times and get you to a live agent. Many of my former colleagues actually privately recommend this when the wait times are especially bad. In the meantime, you can check where your payments went through your payment history. If they went to a closed account, they'll eventually bounce back to NYSDOL, but this can take 5-10 business days. Once they get the returned payment, they can release it to your new account. DON'T give up - your money isn't gone, it's just stuck in bureaucratic limbo.

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Zara Rashid

Thank you so much for this detailed info! Do you think requesting paper checks is faster than trying to get someone on the phone?

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25d

AstroAdventurer

Yes, in most cases requesting paper checks through the message system gets processed within 2-3 days. Then once you're receiving checks you can try again with DD.

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25d

Andre Dupont

This is actually super helpful. Just curious - why is the system so garbage? Like how is it THIS bad in 2023? 🤔

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25d

AstroAdventurer

Ancient backend systems running on COBOL (seriously) + security protocols that don't work well together + underfunding. Perfect storm.

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25d

Zoe Papanikolaou

Have u checked if ur payments are showing as "returned" in ur payment history? When my bank account closed, the money went back to unemployment and I had to call to get them to reissue.

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Zara Rashid

It shows as "direct deposit sent" but nothing about returned yet. Maybe it takes time to update?

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26d

Jamal Wilson

Am I the only one who thinks its insane that in 2023 we cant update basic info online without the whole system melting down? Like every other government website works fine but unemployment is stuck in 1997 😂

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Mei Lin

For real! I can order food, buy stocks, and apply for a mortgage on my phone but can't update my bank info with ny unemployment 🤦‍♂️

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26d

Liam Fitzgerald

its because they WANT it to be hard. they hope people give up so they dont have to pay benefits

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25d

GalacticGuru

This right here!! 💯

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25d

Amara Nnamani

I used claimyr.com a few months ago when I was locked out of my account completely. The service called for me and connected me with an agent after about 45 minutes (instead of me waiting on hold for hours). Got everything fixed in one call. Worth checking out if you're desperate.

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Giovanni Mancini

hmm I've been burned by so many of these 'services' before... what makes this different?

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25d

Amara Nnamani

It just does the calling and waiting for you. No different than what you'd do yourself except they have a system to stay on hold so you don't have to. Was worth it for me after trying for weeks.

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25d

Fatima Al-Suwaidi

FYI - when this happened to me, I found out the payment will bounce back to unemployment after about 10 business days if your bank account is closed. Then you gotta call them to have it reissued. Unfortunately there's no way around calling to fix this 🙄

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Dylan Cooper

unpopular opinion: maybe try the unemployment office in person? everybodys always calling and doing stuff online but i went to the office in queens and got my issue fixed same day. just bring ID and proof of ur new bank account

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Zara Rashid

I didn't even know this was an option. Where is the office? Do I need an appointment?

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25d

Dylan Cooper

Theres ones in each borough. Google ny career center locations. Some take walk-ins but better to call first

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25d