Will NY unemployment refunds come as paper checks instead of direct deposit?
Anyone know if the unemployment tax refunds will be sent as paper checks? I've been getting my regular NY unemployment benefits by direct deposit, but I heard the refunds might be handled differently. My tax preparer wasn't sure, and I really need to know because I'm moving apartments next month. Don't want to miss an important check if they're mailing it instead of using my direct deposit info!
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Cameron Black
From what I understand, NY follows the same method you used for your regular UI payments. So if you got direct deposit for your benefits, the refund should go to the same account. But if you changed banks since filing, you might get a paper check by default. Have you updated your banking info recently?
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Victoria Jones
•Thanks! I haven't changed banks, but I did change my address in the system last month. Does that matter or will they still use my direct deposit info?
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Jessica Nguyen
i got a paper check even tho i had direct deposit for my regular benefits, no explanation why. make sure ur mail forwarding is set up just in case
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Victoria Jones
•Oh that's concerning. Did your check come a long time after they announced the refunds?
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Jessica Nguyen
•ya like 3 weeks after they said refunds were starting. came in a plain envelope too almost threw it away
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Isaiah Thompson
The DOL is actually sending refunds both ways depending on a few factors: 1. If your direct deposit info is still valid in their system, they'll use that first 2. If there are any issues with your banking details OR if your refund is above certain thresholds, they default to paper checks 3. If you received your original benefits via the debit card method, you'll most likely get a paper check You should call to confirm your banking info is still active in their system. And yes, updating your address was smart - they'll use the most recent address on file.
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Victoria Jones
•Thanks for the detailed explanation! Do you know what the threshold amount is where they send a check instead?
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Isaiah Thompson
•I believe refunds over $2,500 trigger additional verification which sometimes results in paper checks, but that's not a hard rule. They don't publish the exact thresholds.
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Ruby Garcia
I STILL haven't got my refund AT ALL!! Been waiting 2 MONTHS while everyone else seems to be getting theirs! Called like 50 times and can't get through to anyone!! This is SO FRUSTRATING!!!
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Alexander Evans
•I was in the same boat last month, couldn't get through to anyone. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual person without waiting. They have this service that gets you through the phone system and to an agent. Saved me hours of redial hell. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Ruby Garcia
•wait they can actually get you through to a real person?? i'll check it out, im desperate at this point
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Evelyn Martinez
Anybody else notice they're taking forever to process these refunds? My friend got hers like 3 weeks ago but mine still says pending. Wonder if payment method affects processing time?
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Benjamin Carter
•I think they're doing them in batches based on when you filed. My cousin and I filed the same week and both got our refunds on the same day (mine direct deposit, hers check). Maybe check when your friend filed compared to you?
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Cameron Black
Update for everyone: I just spoke with a DOL rep this morning about something else and asked about this. They confirmed that refunds generally follow your benefit payment method, BUT if there's any issue with your direct deposit (expired account, verification fails, etc.) they automatically default to paper checks. They also mentioned if you received a state tax refund by paper check this year, you'll likely get your unemployment refund the same way since they sometimes share the same payment systems.
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Victoria Jones
•This is super helpful info, thank you! I did get my state tax refund by direct deposit, so hopefully that means my unemployment refund will come the same way. I'll still keep an eye on my mail though just to be safe.
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Jessica Nguyen
does anyone know how long the check is good for if i dont cash it right away? might be out of town when it arrives
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Isaiah Thompson
•NY state checks are typically valid for one year from the issue date. If you're going to be away, you might want to set up mail forwarding or have someone check your mail.
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Victoria Jones
Just wanted to update everyone - my refund came through today via direct deposit! So it looks like they are using the same payment method as regular benefits in most cases. Thanks for all your help!
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Ruby Garcia
•lucky you!! still waiting on mine 😡
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Benjamin Carter
•Congrats! Was it the full amount you were expecting?
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Victoria Jones
•Yes, actually about $50 more than I calculated! No explanation for the difference though.
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Aria Washington
That's great news Victoria! Glad it worked out with direct deposit. For others still waiting, I've found that checking the NY DOL website under "Payment History" sometimes shows the refund status before you actually receive it. It might show as "pending" or "processed" which can give you a heads up on timing. Also, if you're moving like Victoria was, definitely update your address in the system ASAP - I've heard of people missing checks because of address changes during processing.
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Ahooker-Equator
•Thanks for that tip about checking Payment History! I just joined this community because I'm also waiting for my refund and getting really anxious about it. I've been on unemployment since last year and got direct deposit for all my regular payments, but after reading all these comments I'm worried mine might come as a check for some reason. Going to check that Payment History section right now - hopefully it shows something useful. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here!
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