PA UC payment method choice - direct deposit vs Money Network card pros/cons?

Direct deposit is the way to go! I've used both methods in the past year and direct deposit was much more reliable. The Money Network cards can take 7-10 business days to arrive in the mail after your first payment is approved, while direct deposit usually hits your account within 2-3 business days after your weekly claim is processed. Just double-check your bank account info is entered correctly - one wrong digit and your payment gets delayed.

go with direct deposit!!! the debit card is TERRIBLE. my roomate got one and it got stuck in mail for 2 weeks and when he finally got it the atm fees are crazy high!! plus he had to call customer service twice bcuz the card got locked for no reason

I'd recommend direct deposit for most people, but there are some things to know about both options: Direct Deposit: - Pros: Faster once set up, no extra card to keep track of, no transfer fees - Cons: If you enter wrong bank info, payments can be delayed while corrections are made Money Network Card: - Pros: Works if you don't have a bank account, can be used like any debit card - Cons: Takes longer to receive initially, some ATM fees apply, can get lost in mail One important note: You can change your payment method at any time by logging into your PA UC dashboard and selecting "Update Payment Information" under the Benefits section. Any changes will apply to future payments. Regardless of which method you choose, your first payment will likely take 2-3 weeks from initial filing due to the approval process and waiting week.

I had the Money Network card last year and it was actualy fine??? Not sure why ppl hate on it so much. I dont have a perminent bank account so the card worked great for me. Just make sure to update your address if you move cause they wont forward those cards.

I've dealt with PA UC 3 times since 2023 and ALWAYS pick direct deposit. The system is already frustrating enough without adding another layer of potential problems with that card. Also, I don't know if you're aware but getting someone on the phone at PA UC if you have issues is nearly IMPOSSIBLE nowadays. I spent 8 days trying to reach them about a payment issue - constant busy signals and disconnections. I finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in under 25 minutes when I'd been trying for over a week on my own. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 that shows how it works. Totally worth it when you're dealing with payment issues or need to verify your banking info is correct.

Direct deposit all the way! I had both methods at different times and direct deposit was so much less hassle. Just make sure your bank info is 100% correct! Also, don't forget you need to file your weekly claims every week to keep getting paid - they don't remind you and it's easy to forget.

Question - does anyone know if theres like a waiting period before money gets deposited? I picked direct deposit two weeks ago and still havnt gotten anything! Do i need to call them or is this normal??

One thing to remember with either payment method: you MUST complete your work search activities each week (applying to jobs, attending workshops, etc.) and report them when you file your weekly certification. PA requires this now and if you don't report at least one work search activity per week, they can deny your payment regardless of which payment method you chose. Just mentioning since you said this is your first time on unemployment!

lol lets be real both optins suck but direct deposit sucks LESS... PA unemployment system is stuck in 1995 no matter how u get paid 🤣

Sorry to hear about the layoff right before the holidays - that's rough timing! I went through PA unemployment earlier this year and definitely recommend direct deposit. I made the mistake of choosing the Money Network card initially and regretted it almost immediately. The card took 12 days to arrive (they said 7-10 but it was longer), and when it finally came, I had issues using it at certain ATMs. Plus there are fees for basically everything - checking your balance, using out-of-network ATMs, even transferring money to your real bank account. I switched to direct deposit after my second payment and wished I had done it from the start. Just triple-check your routing and account numbers before submitting - I wrote them down from a check rather than trying to remember them. Good luck with everything!