Learn About Getting Unemployment Benefits Through Direct Deposit

If you need to sign up for unemployment direct deposit, you can easily set up a direct deposit account or get a direct deposit debit card with your state’s department that is responsible for unemployment insurance. Direct deposits have been established as a free and convenient way for state departments to send unemployment compensation directly to the recipients via any United States bank or credit union.

Unemployed individuals who require direct deposit information can link a direct deposit account to their savings or checking account and receive unemployment benefits directly every month. However, if you do not select payment through direct deposit, the appropriate department will send you payments via a direct deposit debit card.

Typically, state departments of labor and workforce offer several ways for users to sign up for payroll direct deposit, such as online or by phone, but additional methods may be available depending on your state. To learn about enrolling in direct deposit and direct deposit debit cards, explore the sections below:

• Enrolling in Direct Deposit
• Direct Deposit Debit Cards

About Enrolling in Direct Deposit

Payments released through unemployment direct deposit offer many benefits to recipients, such as prompt payment early on payday, no lost checks in the mail and no need to visit a post office or a bank to cash the check. Depending on the state, you can find out how to enroll in direct deposit online or by phone.

The easiest and most convenient way is via your state’s department website, where you can register in the system and create an account. Next, you should look for the Unemployment Benefits tab to get more direct deposit information. Note that different websites may be structured differently, but you must make sure to set your preferred payment method to direct deposit.

Once you register in the system, you will be asked to provide your checking account number and your bank routing number for payroll direct deposit. You should be able to obtain these numbers from any of your checks. If you are unsure of the information you need to provide, contact your bank to get more direct deposit information. Note that you cannot use a deposit slip for your savings or checking account for routing number verification.

You may also need to provide your Social Security Number, so make sure to have all necessary documents at hand. Once you have registered for unemployment direct deposit, you will not need to re-register and your details will be stored in the system database. However, if your banking information changes, you must re-register.

If you are unable to access the internet, you can set up your unemployment direct deposit account by dialing a special automated phone service. You can also use the phone service to update your direct deposit information or cancel payroll direct deposit. Once you have successfully set up your direct deposit account, the appropriate department in your state will send your benefits within a few business days from the payment release.

Learn About Direct Deposit Debit Cards

If you do not want to receive your unemployment benefits through a direct deposit account, you can choose payment through a direct deposit debit card instead. This card will allow you to pay bills and withdraw cash at ATMs. In general, debit cards are automatically sent to recipients of unemployment direct deposit, so signing up is not necessary.

However, if you have already registered for payroll direct deposit, you must cancel it in order to receive payments via a debit card. Note that until your direct deposit is officially canceled, you will not receive any unemployment benefit payments on your direct deposit debit card. Typically, it only takes a couple of days for the cancellation to take place.

Note: With so many scams related to credit and debit cards, be extra careful with your personal details, including direct deposit information, and to whom you choose to provide it. Thus, you should not respond to any emails or phone calls that ask for your PIN, account number or SSN. Also, the state department that provides unemployment insurance and the bank associated with your card will never contact you to ask for your unemployment direct deposit information or full account number.