Unemployment Insurance TWC Direct Deposit
Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
What is direct deposit?
When can I sign up for direct deposit?
How do I sign up for direct deposit?
What kind of account can I use for direct deposit?
How do I set up a prepaid debit card for direct deposit?
Can I use a bank outside of the United States?
Is there a charge for using direct deposit?
How can I get more information about payment by debit card?
Bank Setup and Payment
Can Tele-Center staff set up my direct deposit payment option?
How long does it take to set up direct deposit?
How will I receive payment during the eight-day bank verification period?
Can I get all of my benefit payments by check?
Can I avoid payment by check during the eight-day verification period?
How long does it take the money to arrive in my personal account?
What if my bank rejects my direct deposit information?
How do I verify the direct deposit information TWC has?
Changing Payment Options
How often can I change my payment option?
Must I sign up for direct deposit every time I file a claim or request payment?
How do I receive payment if I don't select direct deposit?
Will Chase transfer funds in my debit-card account to my personal bank account?
Introduction
What is direct deposit?
Direct deposit allows Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants to ask TWC to deposit their benefit payments directly into the personal checking or savings account of their choice at any U.S. bank or credit union.
When can I sign up for direct deposit?
- New claimants may sign up as soon as they apply for UI benefits. You should not wait for TWC to determine whether you qualify for benefit payments.
- To log on to ui.texasworkforce.org, you must have a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
- When you apply for benefits, TWC mails you information on how to create a PIN.
- Current claimants who already receive payment by TWC UI Visa® debit card from Chase Bank may change to direct deposit at any time by following the instructions below.
How do I sign up for direct deposit?
- Log on to ui.texasworkforce.org and select Payment Option from the Quick Links menu;
OR
Call Tele-Serv at 1-800-558-8321 and select Option 5. - Enter the 9-digit routing number of your U.S. bank or credit union and your checking or savings account number. Use a check (not a deposit slip) to get the routing and account numbers, as shown in the image.
What kind of account can I use for direct deposit?
You can use a checking or savings account from a U.S. bank or credit union, or a prepaid debit card.
How do I set up a prepaid debit card for direct deposit?
Contact the bank that issued the debit card and request the routing number and bank account number. Set up the prepaid debit card as you would any other bank account.
Can I use a bank outside of the United States?
No. TWC can make payments only to banks with a routing number assigned by the American Bankers Association.
Is there a charge for using direct deposit?
No.
How can I get more information about payment by debit card?
See debit card Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).
Bank Setup and Payment
Can Tele-Center staff set up my direct deposit payment option?
No. You must submit your direct deposit account information because Tele-Center staff does not have access to your confidential bank numbers.
How long does it take to set up direct deposit?
TWC gives your bank or credit union eight business days to verify direct deposit information before TWC can deposit benefits directly into your account.
How will I receive payment during the eight-day bank verification period?
If you request payment during the eight day verification period, TWC will pay you by check.
Can I get all of my benefit payments by check?
No. TWC mails checks only while verifying your direct deposit information.
Can I avoid payment by check during the 8-day verification period?
Yes.
If you are a new claimant, sign up for direct deposit immediately after you apply for benefits so we can verify your account information before you are scheduled to start requesting payment.
If you already have a debit card:
- Submit your payment request before signing up for direct deposit;
- Confirm that Chase deposited your payment;
- Then sign up for direct deposit. When you request your next payment in two weeks, your payment should go to your personal account.
How long does it take the money to arrive in my personal account?
After your account information has been verified, you can expect payment within two business days after TWC processes your payment request. That is the same time it takes payment to be added to your debit-card account.
What if my bank rejects my direct deposit information?
If your bank rejects your direct deposit information, we will pay you by TWC UI Visa® debit card from Chase Bank and mail you a letter explaining why the bank rejected your account information. If you don't have a debit card, you should receive a card from Chase Bank within seven business days.
You must contact your bank or credit union to correct the problem and resubmit your request to TWC for direct deposit. Whenever you submit new direct deposit information, the eight-day verification process begins again.
How do I verify the direct deposit information TWC has?
Log on to ui.texasworkforce.org and select Payment Option or call Tele-Serv (1-800-558-8321) and select Option 5. If TWC has direct deposit as your current option, we will disclose the last 4 digits of your account number.
Changing Payment Options
How often can I change my payment option?
You can change your payment option as often as you choose. It takes one business day to process your request to change your payment option. However, each time you change your payment option to direct deposit, the eight-day verification process begins again.
Must I sign up for direct deposit every time I file a claim or request payment?
No. TWC uses the direct deposit information you submitted until you give us new information or select a new payment option.
How do I receive payment if I don't select direct deposit?
If you do not select direct deposit, TWC pays you by TWC UI Visa® debit card from Chase Bank. You will receive your debit card within seven business days after we send your first payment to Chase Bank. Read the instructions and the information on debit card fees and surcharges (PDF), and activate your debit card immediately.
Will Chase transfer funds in my debit-card account to my personal bank account?
No. You can access any remaining funds in your debit-card account as you did previously. You can spend the balance at a retail store, get cash back from a retail store, get cash from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), or withdraw the entire balance from a teller at a Visa-member bank and deposit it in your personal account.