Need to change direct deposit for ny unemployment but system keeps giving errors

I had the exact same problem about 3 months ago! The online system is totally broken for updating payment info. After trying for like a week straight I gave up and used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me on the phone with an actual human at unemployment who could make the change manually. Talking to an agent got my money flowing to the right account within days instead of weeks of frustration. The video they have explains it all: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

This happened to me last summer. The trick is to log in around 5:30 am when the system isn't overwhelmed. I know its stupid early but it worked for me after trying normal hours for days. Something about server load I guess.

The NYSDOL website is pure garbage. I spent THREE WEEKS trying to update my address last year. Every single time I would click submit, it would time out or give an error. Then randomly one morning it worked. No rhyme or reason. Wish I had better advice but just keep trying different times of day.

If you're having trouble with direct deposit, one workaround is to switch to the debit card option first, then wait a week and try to switch to your new direct deposit info. For some reason the system handles that two-step process better than trying to update direct deposit info directly. Worked for me back in February.

Look I'm gonna be straight with you. NY unemployment's website was built in like 1997 and they never properly updated it. You're probably not doing anything wrong - their system just crashes constantly. Your best bet is to keep calling until you get someone who actually knows what they're doing (rare) or try around 2-3am when traffic is low. Good luck!

I literally just went through this exact same hell. After THREE WEEKS of trying the website and getting nowhere, I finally found a solution. You need to talk to someone in the direct deposit department specifically. Regular agents can't help with this. So here's what worked for me: 1) Call first thing in the morning (like 7:55am, right before they open) 2) When the automated system asks why you're calling, say "payment issue" 3) When you finally get a person, specifically ask to be transferred to the direct deposit team 4) They'll try to tell you to use the website. Be FIRM and explain that the website doesn't work 5) If they say they can't help, politely ask for a supervisor It took me about 3-4 calls using this method before I got someone who actually transferred me to the right department. Once I got the direct deposit team, they fixed it in literally 2 minutes. Alternatively, I've heard great things about claimyr.com from multiple people here who were in the same situation. They apparently can get you past the hold times to an actual agent who can help. Might be worth checking out if you're as frustrated as I was. Whatever you do, DON'T wait for the website to start working. It won't. You need to talk to a human.

have you tried using a different device? the ny unemployment website doesnt work AT ALL on my phone but sometimes works on my laptop. also try incognito mode, cleared all cookies etc

This is by design. They make it difficult to change anything so fewer people get benefits. I worked in state govt (not NY) and trust me, the systems aren't broken by accident. They're broken by design and underfunded intentionally.

Same issue back in april. tried for a month with no luck. finally used claimyr.com which got me to a real person who fixed it in 5 minutes. best money i ever spent after weeks of frustration.

I'm having the EXACT same problem holy shit. Been trying to update direct deposit for the last 3 weeks and getting nowhere. Called like 20 times already got hung up on every damn time. I swear they do this on purpose.

If everything else fails, you can try contacting your local state representative's office. A friend of mine had a similar issue that went on for weeks, called her assemblyman's office, and they have special contacts at unemployment who fixed it in 2 days. Worth a shot if you're desperate.

The online system has NEVER worked for bank changes. I've been on unemployment 3 separate times over the years in NY and every single time I've had to call to change banking info. Just keep calling until you get someone who knows what they're doing.

Have u tried accessing the site using Microsoft Edge? sounds dumb but their site is so old it actually works better on older browsers sometimes... Chrome gave me errors constantly but Edge worked 🤷‍♂️

The unemployment system is an absolute joke. They expect us to use this garbage website from the stone age to manage our benefits. I had the same issue and gave up after a month of trying. I ended up using claimyr.com to get a human on the phone who fixed it in 5 minutes after I wasted weeks trying on my own. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast I wish I'd done it sooner.

Have you tried hitting up the NYSDOL on Twitter? Sometimes their social media team can help move things along faster than calling.

maybe a stupid question but did u try using a different browser? i had issues with chrome but firefox worked fine for me

Oh the irony... the department that cuts checks cant figure out how to make a website that lets you update your bank info. classic new york. 🤦‍♂️

Heres a PROTIP for calling ny unemployment: call exactly at 7:59am and start going through the menu options. if you try at 8:00 or later youll be caller number 5000 in line

So I just went through this nightmare last month. NONE of the online stuff works for updating direct deposit - it's all fake functionality. What actually worked was calling and saying the magic words "I need to speak to a CLAIMS SPECIALIST about a PAYMENT ISSUE." Don't mention direct deposit to the first person you talk to or they'll just tell you to use the website. Get transferred to claims specialist and THEN explain the direct deposit problem. Took me 7 calls to figure this out.