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Monique Byrd

PA UC direct deposit to Varo Bank? Timing differences from ReliaCard payments?

Just wondering if anyone here uses Varo Bank for their unemployment direct deposits? I've been getting my PA UC benefits on the ReliaCard and they typically load at 5am on Tuesdays after I file on Sundays. Thinking about switching to direct deposit with my Varo account instead since I do everything else through there. Does anyone know if Varo processes PA unemployment direct deposits faster than the ReliaCard? And if I do switch from the card to direct deposit, how long does that change usually take to process? Just trying to plan ahead since I'm on a pretty tight budget right now.

I switched from ReliaCard to direct deposit with PNC about 6 months ago. The switch itself took about 2 weeks to fully process - that was one payment cycle where things were a bit weird. After that, my deposits hit my account Monday afternoons (usually around 2-3pm) when I file on Sunday. So definitely faster than the Tuesday morning ReliaCard loads. Can't speak specifically to Varo though.

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Thanks! That's really helpful to know. Monday afternoon would be amazing compared to Tuesday morning. Did you have any issues during that transition period? Did you miss any payments or did they just come through on the old method until the switch was complete?

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I use Varo and my deposits hit around noon on Monday when I file Sunday!!! wayyy better than that stupid ReliaCard system that always had me waiting

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That's exactly what I was hoping to hear! Definitely gonna make the switch. Thanks!

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Noon Monday is early! My credit union takes til WEDNESDAY sometimes. UC system is so annoying with these delays when bills are due!!

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The timing depends more on when PA UC releases the funds than on your specific bank. They typically process payments in batches Monday mornings for Sunday filers. Some banks post the pending ACH faster than others. As for switching from ReliaCard to direct deposit, it usually takes 1-2 payment cycles. When you update your payment method in your dashboard, you'll see a message saying when the change will take effect. Your payments won't stop, but there might be one awkward cycle where you're not 100% sure where the money will land. Make sure you don't close your ReliaCard account until you've successfully received a payment via direct deposit to your new bank.

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Thanks for the detailed explanation. That makes me feel better about making the switch. I'll definitely keep the ReliaCard active until I confirm everything's going to Varo correctly.

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i tried 2 switch mind 2 cashapp and it took 3 weeks and then they sent me a letter saying i had 2 call them to verify?? so annoying

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That's because CashApp and some similar financial apps aren't traditional banks, so PA UC sometimes flags them for additional verification. You'll have better luck with Varo since it's an actual bank with routing and account numbers.

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I had major issues trying to switch my direct deposit info. The UC system kept giving me errors online, and I wasted HOURS trying to get through on the phone. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a UC agent within 20 minutes instead of spending all day redialing. The agent was able to update my direct deposit info right away. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 As for Varo specifically, my roommate uses them and gets his UC payment around 1pm on Mondays after filing Sunday.

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Thanks for the tip about Claimyr. I've been trying to avoid calling because of how frustrating it is to get through. If I run into problems with the online system, I might give that a try. And good to know about the Monday afternoon timing with Varo!

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Is that service legit? Seems sketchy to pay just to talk to unemployment when it should be free.

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Yeah, I was hesitant at first too, but it worked exactly as advertised. After wasting 3 days trying to get through, it was worth it to me. They just connected me to the regular UC phone line but bypassed the wait somehow. The UC agent I spoke with had no idea I'd used a service to get through.

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DONT DO IT!!!! I switched to direct deposit and it took FOREVER and then my payment got lost in the system for 3 WEEKS and I couldn't pay rent!!! The UC system is BROKEN and they don't care about us at all!!! At least with the ReliaCard you KNOW when it's coming!!!

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Yikes, that sounds awful! Did you ever get that missing payment? What did you have to do to resolve it?

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That's not typical of most direct deposit switches. It sounds like there might have been another issue with your claim during that time period. Direct deposit is actually more reliable once it's set up correctly.

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I think I've seen people post about this before. I remember someone saying that online banks like Varo sometimes get the money faster because they post the ACH as soon as they get notification instead of waiting for actual settlement like traditional banks. Not sure if that's true but might explain why some people see it Monday and others Tuesday.

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That's interesting and makes sense. My regular paychecks always hit my Varo account about a day earlier than they did with my old bank.

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One important thing to know: when you switch, make sure you're entering your direct deposit information correctly in your dashboard. Double-check the routing and account numbers. I've seen several posts here where people transposed numbers by accident and then their payments got delayed while PA UC sorted it out. Also, keep enough money in both accounts during the transition period just to be safe.

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Good advice - I'll definitely triple-check those numbers. Thanks for the tip!

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btw once u switch to varo download their app it sends notifications the second money hits ur account its awesome

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I already use their app for my other banking and love the instant notifications! That was another reason I was thinking about switching my UC payments over.

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I've been using Varo for my PA UC direct deposits for about 8 months now and it's been great! I typically get my payments around 11am-12pm on Mondays after filing Sunday, which is way better than waiting until Tuesday morning with ReliaCard. The switch took about 10 days for me - I kept getting ReliaCard deposits until one week it just showed up in my Varo account instead. No issues at all during the transition. Just make sure you don't close your ReliaCard until you see that first direct deposit hit Varo successfully. The instant notifications through their app are a game changer too - you'll know the second your payment arrives!

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That's exactly what I needed to hear! Monday around noon sounds perfect compared to Tuesday morning. 10 days for the transition doesn't sound too bad either. I'm definitely going to make the switch - thanks for sharing your experience with the timing and process!

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I've been using Varo for my PA UC deposits for about 6 months now and it's been solid! Usually get my payments around 11:30am on Mondays after filing Sunday. The switch from ReliaCard took exactly 2 weeks for me - got one more payment on the card, then the next one went straight to Varo with no issues. One tip: screenshot your Varo routing/account numbers instead of typing them in manually when you update your payment info. I almost made a typo the first time but caught it. Also keep like $20 in your ReliaCard account during the switch just in case there's any weird timing with the last payment. The Varo app notifications are clutch - you'll get pinged the second your money hits!

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This is super helpful! I love the screenshot tip - that's such a smart way to avoid typos when entering the account info. And keeping some money in the ReliaCard during transition makes total sense as a backup. Monday at 11:30am would be such an improvement over Tuesday morning. I'm convinced - definitely making the switch to Varo. Thanks for all the practical advice!

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I switched from ReliaCard to Varo about 4 months ago and it's been a game changer! My deposits hit around 12:30pm on Mondays consistently after filing on Sunday. The transition took about 2 weeks - I got nervous when my ReliaCard didn't load one Tuesday but then found the money in my Varo account that same afternoon. Pro tip: Log into your UC dashboard and update the direct deposit info on a Tuesday or Wednesday so you have time to double-check everything before your next filing. I also recommend taking a photo of your bank info screen in the Varo app so you can reference it while entering the routing/account numbers. The instant push notifications are amazing - no more obsessively checking the ReliaCard balance at 5am on Tuesdays!

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This is really reassuring! I was worried about that transition period where you're not sure which account the payment will hit, but it sounds like it worked out smoothly for you. The Tuesday/Wednesday timing tip for updating the info is smart - gives you time to fix any mistakes before the next filing cycle. I'm definitely going to take a screenshot of my Varo account info like you suggested. Can't wait to ditch those 5am Tuesday morning ReliaCard checks!

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I made the switch from ReliaCard to Varo about 3 months ago and it's been awesome! My deposits usually hit between 12-1pm on Mondays after I file on Sunday, which is so much better than waiting until Tuesday morning. The transition was smooth - took about 2 weeks total. I kept getting ReliaCard deposits for one more cycle, then it automatically switched to Varo. Just a heads up - make sure you have the correct routing number for Varo (it's 124303120) and double-check your account number. I almost entered it wrong the first time. Also don't cancel your ReliaCard right away, wait until you get at least one successful direct deposit to Varo first. The app notifications are great too - you'll know instantly when your money arrives instead of guessing!

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This is super helpful, thanks! I was actually wondering about the routing number - good to know it's 124303120. I'll definitely screenshot that along with my account number to avoid any typos. The Monday 12-1pm timing sounds perfect compared to Tuesday morning ReliaCard loads. Two weeks for the transition seems pretty standard based on what everyone's saying. I'm going to start the switch process this week and keep my ReliaCard active until I see that first deposit hit Varo successfully. Really appreciate you sharing the specific details!

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I've been using Varo for my PA UC deposits for about a year now and can confirm everything people are saying here! My payments consistently hit around 11:30am-12:30pm on Mondays after filing Sunday, which is such a huge improvement over the Tuesday morning ReliaCard timing. The switch took exactly 2 weeks for me - got one final payment on ReliaCard, then boom, next payment was in my Varo account. No hiccups at all. Just make sure when you update your direct deposit info in the UC dashboard that you copy/paste or screenshot your account details from the Varo app to avoid any typos. I've seen people here mess that up and it causes delays. One thing I love about Varo is their customer service is actually decent if you ever need help, unlike trying to get through to PA UC on the phone. The instant notifications are clutch too - you'll get that sweet "money deposited" ping and know you're good to go. Definitely worth making the switch!

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Thanks for sharing your year-long experience with Varo! It's really reassuring to hear that the Monday timing has been consistent for you over such a long period. The copy/paste tip for the account details is smart - I'll definitely do that to avoid any typos that could delay things. And you're so right about their customer service being better than trying to reach PA UC by phone! I'm convinced this is the right move. Going to start the switch process this week and keep my ReliaCard as backup until I see that first successful direct deposit. Really appreciate everyone's detailed experiences in this thread!

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I've been using Varo for my PA UC direct deposits for about 5 months now and it's been great! My payments typically arrive around 12:15pm on Mondays after I file on Sunday, which is so much better than waiting until Tuesday morning with the ReliaCard. The transition took about 10-12 days for me. I updated my direct deposit info on a Wednesday, kept filing as normal, and got one more ReliaCard payment before it switched over to Varo automatically. No missed payments or weird issues during the switch. Just make sure you have your Varo routing number (124303120) and account number ready when you update your payment info. I took screenshots of both from my Varo app to make sure I didn't make any typos. Also definitely keep your ReliaCard active until you see at least one successful deposit in your Varo account - better safe than sorry! The instant notifications through the Varo app are amazing. You'll get pinged the second your money hits instead of constantly refreshing the ReliaCard site. Totally worth making the switch if you're already using Varo for your other banking!

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This is exactly the kind of detailed info I was looking for! The Monday 12:15pm timing sounds perfect, and 10-12 days for the transition seems totally manageable. I really appreciate you mentioning the specific routing number (124303120) - I'll definitely screenshot that along with my account number from the Varo app to avoid any mistakes. The instant notification feature is one of the main reasons I want to switch since I'm always checking my phone anyway. Thanks for the reassurance about keeping ReliaCard active during the transition - I'll definitely do that for peace of mind. This thread has convinced me to make the switch!

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I switched from ReliaCard to Varo about 2 months ago and it's been fantastic! My deposits hit around 11:45am on Mondays consistently after filing Sunday - such a relief compared to those stressful Tuesday morning waits with ReliaCard. The transition was smoother than I expected - took about 2 weeks total. I got one final ReliaCard payment, then the next one showed up in my Varo account right on schedule. No missed payments or confusion. My advice: Update your direct deposit info mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) so you have time to double-check everything before your next filing. Copy your routing number (124303120) and account number directly from your Varo app - don't type them manually. And definitely keep some money in your ReliaCard account during the switch just as a safety net. The Varo app notifications are incredible - you get that instant ping when your money arrives instead of obsessively checking the ReliaCard balance. Plus Varo's customer service is way better than trying to get through to PA UC if you ever need help. Highly recommend making the switch if you're already using Varo for everything else!

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This is super helpful! I love the mid-week timing advice for updating the info - that gives you plenty of buffer time to catch any mistakes before filing. The Monday 11:45am deposit timing sounds amazing compared to Tuesday morning stress. I'm definitely going to copy the routing/account numbers straight from the app like you suggested. Two weeks transition time seems to be the standard everyone's experiencing. The instant notifications alone make this worth it - no more refreshing that ReliaCard site every 5 minutes on Tuesday mornings! Thanks for all the practical tips, I'm definitely making the switch this week.

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