NYDOL system won't accept mother's maiden name for direct deposit change - Help!
I'm having trouble changing my direct deposit for unemployment. The system keeps saying my mother's maiden name is wrong, but I know it's correct. I've tried multiple variations and spellings, but nothing works. It's frustrating because I need to update my bank info since I have a new account. Has anyone else experienced this? Any tips on how to get past this issue?
20 comments


Layla Mendes
Ugh, I feel your pain! I had the same issue last month. It's like the system is designed to make our lives harder 🤦♂️ Have you tried calling them directly? It took me forever to get through, but it was the only way I could fix it.
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Ethan Anderson
•I haven't tried calling yet. How long did you have to wait on hold? I'm dreading the thought of being stuck on the phone for hours.
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Layla Mendes
•Honestly, it was a nightmare. I was on hold for like 3 hours before I got through to someone. But once I did, they fixed it pretty quick. Just make sure you have all your info ready!
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Lucas Notre-Dame
•3 hours?! That's insane. There's gotta be a better way to handle this stuff. The whole system needs an overhaul.
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Aria Park
I found a way to get someone on the phone without the endless wait. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Noah Ali
•Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this? I'm skeptical about paying for something like this.
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Aria Park
•I get the skepticism, but it really did work for me. Saved me hours of frustration. The $20 was worth it to get my issue resolved quickly.
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Chloe Boulanger
•I used it too! Totally legit. Got through to an agent in like 30 minutes instead of waiting all day.
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James Martinez
Have you tried using your maiden name instead of your mother's? Sometimes the system gets confused if you've been married or changed your name. Worth a shot!
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Olivia Harris
This is why I always keep a record of my old account info, even after switching banks. You never know when you'll need it for stuff like this. Lesson learned the hard way, I guess.
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Ethan Anderson
•Yeah, I wish I had thought of that. Definitely gonna start keeping better records now.
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Alexander Zeus
OK, listen up folks. I've been dealing with unemployment systems for years, and here's what you need to know about this mother's maiden name issue: • First, try entering the name in ALL CAPS. Sometimes the system is case-sensitive. • If that doesn't work, try removing any spaces or hyphens. • Still no luck? Enter the name backwards (last name first, then first name). • Check if there are any special characters in the name and try removing them. • If you've changed your name due to marriage or other reasons, try your original maiden name. • As a last resort, check if there's an option to reset this security question. If none of these work, you'll have to call. But before you do, gather ALL your info: SSN, claim ID, old and new bank details, and any correspondence you've had with them. The more prepared you are, the smoother it'll go. And remember, persistence is key. Don't give up!
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Alicia Stern
•This is gold! 💯 Thanks for sharing your expertise. Gonna try these tips right now.
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Gabriel Graham
•Wow, never thought about entering it backwards. That's some next-level troubleshooting!
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Drake
lol welcome to the wonderful world of government websites 🤡 where nothing works and everything is a mystery
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Sarah Jones
•Fr tho 😂 It's like they're stuck in 1995 or smthn
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Sebastian Scott
Have you tried contacting your local state representative? Sometimes they can help push things through when you're stuck in bureaucratic limbo.
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Ethan Anderson
•That's a good idea. I was actually at my State Rep's office when I encountered this issue. Maybe I should follow up with them.
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Sebastian Scott
•Definitely follow up! They often have direct lines to the unemployment office and can advocate on your behalf. Good luck!
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LunarLegend
I had this exact same problem a few months ago! Turns out the issue was that I was entering my mother's maiden name exactly as it appears on my birth certificate, but the system had it stored differently from when I first applied. Try checking any old paperwork from when you initially filed your claim - sometimes there are slight differences in spelling or formatting that you might not remember. Also, if your mother had multiple names (like a middle name or hyphenated name), try different combinations. The system can be really picky about these security questions. Hope this helps!
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