1. What is the difference between the Direct Deposit and Debit Card payment methods?
The Direct Deposit payment option is completely free. Rather than receiving a paper check in the mail, weekly UI benefit payments are electronically deposited into your bank or credit union savings or checking account.
If you do not already have a checking or savings account and need to open one to use the Direct Deposit payment method, a list of Connecticut banks and locations can be found here - several Connecticut banks offer no-cost checking.
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| debit card frequently asked questions |
Using the Chase Visa Debit Card payment method could incur fees and/or surcharges. You should first educate yourself by reading the fee schedule and how to avoid Debit Card fees before choosing this method. Rather than depositing UI benefits into your checking/savings account, your UI payments will be “loaded” onto a Debit Card. The Debit Card is offered as an alternative to Direct Deposit for individuals who do not have a checking or savings account and do not wish to open one, or who simply prefer to use the loadable, pre-paid Chase Bank Visa Debit Card. You can use the card to get cash from a bank or ATM and it may be used to make purchases. Although the card does display the Visa logo, it is not a credit card. You are not extended money beyond your UI benefits balance.
Here are some quick tips:
Always know your balance so that you will not be charged a fee for insufficient funds.
Check the fee schedule to determine the number of free withdrawals allowed.
Avoid using ATMs that charge a surcharge to use the machine.
There is always a fee for using the ATM to check the balance on your Debit Card.
Whenever possible, use Chase Bank’s free website service to check your balances and make inquiries.
Please see the comparison chart at the end of these FAQs for more information regarding the differences between the Debit Card and Direct Deposit payment methods.
2. Are there advantage(s) to choosing Direct Deposit or Debit Card?
The Department of Labor does not charge for providing either the Direct Deposit or Debit Card payment method. There are never any fees associated with Direct Deposit unless subject to the rules of your bank or credit union. The Debit Card method could cause you to incur fees and/or surcharges. Therefore, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the fee schedule and how to avoid Debit Card fees before choosing or using the Debit Card. Please see the comparison chart at the end of these FAQ’s for more information regarding the differences between the Debit Card and Direct Deposit payment methods.
Here are some quick tips:
Always know your balance so that you will not be charged a fee for insufficient funds.
Check the fee schedule to determine the number of free withdrawals allowed.
Avoid using ATMs that charge a surcharge to use the machine.
There is always a fee for using the ATM to check the balance on your Debit Card.
Whenever possible, use Chase Bank’s free website service to check your balances and make inquiries.
3. How do I make my payment selection?
You must select your payment preference online regardless of the way you regularly file your unemployment insurance claims. You cannot sign up for Direct Deposit or Debit Card by phone. Please refer to the FAQs that provide details on how to sign up online for Direct Deposit or Debit Card.
4. What will happen if I don’t make a choice between Direct Deposit and Debit Card?
If you do not make a choice on your own, you will be issued a Chase Visa Debit Card. The card will be mailed to the most recent address the Labor Department has on file for you. Unless you initially signed up for Direct Deposit or switched your payment method to Direct Deposit by using the Department of Labor’s online system, your payments will continue to be loaded onto the Debit Card.
5. If I initially choose a Debit Card method, can I switch to Direct Deposit at a later date?
Yes. The option to switch payment methods is available to you. You simply go to the Department of Labor’s secure website at https://sso.ctdol.state.ct.us and request the Direct Deposit option. You will need your savings or checking account number, as well as the bank routing number, to change the payment method to Direct Deposit.
6. If I initially choose the Direct Deposit method, can I switch to Debit Card at a later date?
Yes. The option to switch payment methods is available to you. This is done on the Department of Labor’s website. If you switch to Debit Card, Chase Bank will then mail a Debit Card to you.
7. Who do I contact if I have questions?
If you have questions regarding receiving, activating or using your Debit Card or the depositing of funds onto your Debit Card, you must call Chase Bank Customer Service at 1-866-315-7808. The Chase Bank Customer Service Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
If you have questions regarding your Direct Deposit account, you must contact your bank or credit union.
If you have questions regarding Unemployment Insurance eligibility, you will contact the Department of Labor Call Center.
8. When is the toll-free Chase Bank Customer Service line available?
The Chase Bank Customer Service Center, at 1-866-315-7808, is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
How does DirectBenefits apply to Unemployment Insurance?
1. Once I have signed up for Direct Deposit or Debit Card, do I still need to file an unemployment claim?
Yes. You must file a claim, or you will not receive any payment. The Department of Labor’s DirectBenefits program addresses a new, paperless method of benefit payment with options for Direct Deposit or Debit Card.
2. Can I use the TeleBenefits phone line to select my “paperless” payment method?
No. For security reasons, you must use the Department of Labor’s secure website at https://sso.ctdol.state.ct.us if you select Direct Deposit. You may also use the website to select the Debit Card payment method. If no payment method is selected, Debit Card is the default payment method.
3. Can I select the Direct Deposit method if I have issues pending on my claim?
Yes. Enrolling in Direct Deposit will not affect the process of making an eligibility determination on your claim.
4. What should I do if my name or mailing address changes?
You can change your address by calling the Department of Labor Call Center and choosing option 1. Although the agency is no longer mailing unemployment checks, it is important that the most current mailing address is on file with the agency for other notifications, such as tax documents.
5. Can someone from the Labor Department sign me up for Direct Deposit?
No. Department of Labor Call Center employees are not able to sign you up for either payment method.
Direct Deposit - General Questions
1. What information is needed to sign up for Direct Deposit?
You will need to enter the following information onto the Department of Labor’s secure website at https://sso.ctdol.state.ct.us:
Bank Routing Number – This number identifies the bank or credit union. For a checking account, it is the nine-digit number that usually appears on the lower left portion of a personal check. A savings account typically does not have the routing number listed, so you will need to contact your bank or credit union for the routing number.
Account Number – For a checking account, the account number usually appears just to the right of the bank routing number on the check. It may be a series of digits followed by the check number, or it may be a series of digits after the check number. The number of digits in an account number differs, depending on the bank or credit union. An account number may also include hyphens, spaces, or letters, and if so, they should be included when entering account information. A savings account number should be on a statement or passbook.
Note: The check number is not part of the account number. Please refer to the sample check Here
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