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.
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Jackie Martinez
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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Monique Byrd
•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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Lia Quinn
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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Monique Byrd
•That's exactly what I was hoping to hear! Definitely gonna make the switch. Thanks!
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Haley Stokes
•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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Asher Levin
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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Monique Byrd
•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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Serene Snow
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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Asher Levin
•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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Issac Nightingale
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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Monique Byrd
•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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Romeo Barrett
•Is that service legit? Seems sketchy to pay just to talk to unemployment when it should be free.
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Issac Nightingale
•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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Haley Stokes
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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Monique Byrd
•Yikes, that sounds awful! Did you ever get that missing payment? What did you have to do to resolve it?
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Asher Levin
•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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Romeo Barrett
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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Monique Byrd
•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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Jackie Martinez
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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Monique Byrd
•Good advice - I'll definitely triple-check those numbers. Thanks for the tip!
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Lia Quinn
btw once u switch to varo download their app it sends notifications the second money hits ur account its awesome
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Monique Byrd
•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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Mason Stone
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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