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Frequently Asked Questions About Direct Deposit of Unemployment Insurance Payments

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What is Direct Deposit?

Direct Deposit is the electronic transfer of your weekly Unemployment Insurance (UI) payment into your checking or savings account at your bank, credit union or savings and loan through a system called the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. Your financial institution must be a member of the ACH network in order for you to receive UI payments by Direct Deposit.

What are the advantages of Direct Deposit?

• Direct Deposit is faster. It eliminates delays by the postal service associated with mailing of a paper UI check.
• Direct Deposit is safer. It eliminates the risk of paper checks being lost in the mail, sent to the wrong address or stolen.
• Direct Deposit is convenient. It eliminates the need to make a trip to your financial institution and wait in line to cash or deposit your UI check.
• Direct Deposit is free. There is no fee for using the electronic transfer system.

How do I enroll?

• You may enroll online by going to http://unemployment.wisconsin.gov and selecting Enter your Direct Deposit Information.
• If you do not have internet access you may complete a Direct Deposit Authorization form and mail it to the department. You must also provide a voided personal check or a document from your financial institution which clearly identifies the bank routing number and your checking or savings account number to ensure the account number and financial institution’s routing number you provide are correct. You will be paid by check until your new account information is entered. Your Direct Deposit Information only needs to be submitted once, unless your bank information changes. You DO NOT need to resubmit a Direct Deposit Authorization each time you file for Unemployment Benefits.

How will I know the UI Payment amounts deposited to my account?

You can find out the deposit date and amount from your financial institution, or by logging in online at http://unemployment.wisconsin.gov and selecting View Your Claim Information.

Who do I contact if my payment is not deposited?

Contact your financial institution’s ACH department. Ask if they received your deposit and when they expect to post it to your account. Make sure your bank checks all accounts that you have with them. Call one of the UI information/assistance telephone numbers immediately if your bank has no record that they received your deposit.

What if there are changes to my account into which Direct Deposits are being made?

The UI Division will transmit your payment to the financial institution and account of record as provided by you. It is your responsibility to inform the UI Division of any changes to the account. Changes include changing financial institutions, changing accounts within the same institution, closing accounts, changing your name, or that you wish to change deposit of your payment from one account to another. If you make any of these changes while on Direct Deposit without notifying the UI Division first, your payments will be delayed. If you plan to make any of the above changes, you may update your direct deposit information online by going to http://unemployment.wisconsin.gov and selecting Enter your Direct Deposit Information. If you do not have internet access call one of the UI information/assistance telephone numbers first. You will be required to fill out a new account authorization form, and will be paid by check until your new account information is entered.

Can I participate in Direct Deposit if I have a joint checking account?

Yes. However, although your UI payment is deposited to a joint account, the UI Division will not release information about payment of benefits to the other party on the joint account. You must call one of the UI information/assistance telephone numbers yourself to obtain that information. In addition, the UI Division will not involve itself in domestic disputes such as the other party’s use of the UI monies deposited in the joint account.

Must my financial institution be located in Wisconsin?

No. As long as your financial institution is a member of the ACH network you may participate in Direct Deposit.

Can part of my weekly UI payment be deposited in one account and the remainder deposited into another account?

No. Our system can only deposit payments to a single account.

What if I close my account, change my bank account or change financial institutions while on Direct Deposit without notifying the UI Division?

If you close your account, change your account or change financial institutions without notifying the UI Division, your payments will be delayed. We will be notified if your payment is not deposited. The UI Division will immediately cancel your direct deposit.

Any benefits paid which could not be deposited will be resent to you in the form of a paper check. We will continue to pay you by check thereafter. You may reapply for Direct Deposit by going to http://unemployment.wisconsin.gov and selecting Enter your Direct Deposit Information, or by completing a new authorization form and returning it to the UI Division with a voided personal check, or a document from your financial institution which clearly identifies the bank routing number and your checking or savings account number.

How do I cancel Direct Deposit?

You may cancel any future payments of UI benefits being made by direct deposit online by going to http://unemployment.wisconsin.gov and selecting Enter your Direct Deposit Information. If you do not have internet access call one of the UI information/assistance telephone numbers or return a Direct Deposit Authorization form and check the box ‘Cancel Direct Deposit.’ Direct Deposit payments will be cancelled immediately upon the department receiving the request. You will be paid by check beginning with the next weekly claim certification processed.

Who should I call if I have further questions about Direct Deposit?

If you have any other questions about Direct Deposit, call one of the UI information/assistance telephone numbers.