Overview
If you apply for Unemployment Insurance, you will be asked whether you want to receive your benefits by direct deposit or debit card.
If you apply over the phone, you will automatically receive your benefits via debit cad unless you had a previous claim and you received them by direct deposit.
Direct Deposit
Direct deposit is an electronic transfer of your weekly Unemployment Insurance payments into your bank checking account. It offers increased convenience and allows you to access your funds via your own bank account. You can have your benefits electronically deposited into your checking account as long as your financial institution participates in the direct deposit program.
You will have the option to begin or cancel direct deposit or update your bank information after you login with your NY.GOV ID and click on Unemployment Benefits. You can access this page from 7:30 am until midnight Monday through Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. Please have a check with you so you can enter your checking account number and the bank routing number when registering for direct deposit.
If you choose to cancel direct deposit, you will receive your funds via debit card. Initial registration for direct deposit will take approximately five business days from the time your account information is received. Generally, once direct deposit is established, benefits are deposited into your checking account within three business days after payments are released by the Department of Labor.
Debit Card
If you do not choose to have your benefits direct deposited, you will receive your Unemployment Insurance benefits payments on a debit card. The card is mailed to you and comes with information on how to use it. A debit card provides an easy, convenient and secure way to receive your Unemployment Insurance benefit payments.
If you are receiving your benefits on a KeyBank debit card, you have access to thousands of no-fee ATMs across the state through KeyBank and the Allpoint network.
- Find an ATM
- Key2Benefits Debit Card Frequently Asked Questions provided by KeyBank in English and Spanish (Español) (PDF)
- General debit card FAQs
You can view your monthly account statement, set account alerts and see your balance and other account information. You can also sign up for text alert and get notified as soon as your benefits are deposited onto your debit card.
For more information, call KeyBank Customer Service at (866) 295-2955.