Your State Is Switching Payment Providers
In Maryland, the Division of Unemployment Insurance switched from using Bank of America to Wells Fargo. Anyone who was getting their benefits deposited to a Bank of America debit card had to switch to being paid via direct deposit or check. Anyone who didnt actively choose a new payment method could experience a benefit payment delay.
Understanding Unemployment: Your Guide To Getting Benefits
If filing for unemployment has you feeling confused, youre not alone. Weve put together a guide to help you learn how to file for unemployment, as well as understand changes you might see in the wake of COVID-19 . Things are changing fast, and were doing our best to stay up to date.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Chime does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. You should check with your legal, financial, or tax advisor for advice specific to your situation. Your state or local unemployment agency is responsible for making all determinations on your eligibility for unemployment benefits. Please contact your state or local unemployment agency if you have questions.
You Forgot To Submit Your Weekly Claim
What is time? became a familiar saying as the pandemic dragged on. Without their usual activities and events, days and weeks blurred together. Even with life getting closer to pre-pandemic normal, its still easy to get busy and lose track of things on your to-do list. It might be worth double-checking to make sure youve actually filed a claim for every week that youve been out of work.
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Bank Of America Prepaid Debit Card Frequently Asked Questions
DEW’s Prepaid Debit Card is a Visa®-branded card account, which allows direct deposit of unemployment benefits payments to those who do not have a traditional bank account or who do not want their payment deposited into their existing bank account. There is no credit check required.
The deposit account is FDIC insured and follows all Regulation E requirements for consumer protection. The account owner has access to his or he funds 24 hours a day, seven days a week via purchases everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, ATMs and PIN-based point-of-sale terminals, as well as over-the-counter cash access through tellers at any Visa financial institution.
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South Carolina’s Department of Employment and Workforce, which manages the state’s unemployment system, said it added a new security check this week to prevent fraudulent claims from getting approved. But the additional hoops the agency is asking people to jump through is also causing major headaches for many people who have been receiving unemployment payments for months now.
Tens of thousands of South Carolinians continue to rely on jobless benefits to help carry them through the current economic recession, but the state employment agency has thrown up a new hurdle for residents who are relying on that money to pay for gas, rent, food and medication.
The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which manages the unemployment system, said it added a new security check last week to catch potential fraud.
But the additional hoops the agency is asking applicants to jump through are also causing headaches for many who have already been receiving unemployment payments for months.
Half a dozen people who contacted The Post and Courier said they struggled to access the new security questions because of glitches with the website. And others said their unemployment payments were immediately cut off after they accidentally answered one of the new security questions incorrectly.
Holding up money
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Your State Unemployment Department Is Overwhelmed
Again according to reporting by The Washington Post, states are still behind on processing claims 14 months into the pandemic. Theyve simply been overwhelmed by volume this entire time. Not only were far more people unemployed but also people normally not eligible for benefits, such as self-employed workers, became eligible, adding to the demands on states systems.
How To Use It And How Does It Work
Introduction
You’ve been approved for Unemployment Benefits, now what? In most states, the default wayof getting your payment is through a Pre-Paid debit card. This may be a new concept for some,who are used to getting paid through checks or through direct deposit, but never got paid using adebit card, so this concept may seem confusing at first.You can check your state’s handbookto see what other payment methods are available. Some states also offer payment through direct deposit or checks. But in mostcases, if you don’t directly opt-in to one of the other payment methods, you will receive a debit card soon after your claimis processed.
Getting the Card
Using the Card
Gas Stations
You can also use the debit card to get gas in gas stations. One thing to note is that in most cases you will not be able to use the card at the pump itself. This is because when you use it at the pump, there is a hold placed on your card which most UI debit cards do not support. Instead, you can go inside and pay at the cashier.
Using the card online
Transferring Funds to Personal Bank Account
Card Advantages
Card Disadvantages
Getting Help
Summary
In summary, your card works very similar to any other debit card, so don’t be afraid to use it as such. We hope this guide helps you understand how a UI Pre-Paid Debit Card works. Note that some of the above might notapply to your credit card, so check the card’s website for all terms and fees your debit card is subject to.
FOR PARENTS: STIMULUS2021
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Your Unemployment Department Is Still Verifying Your Bank Account
Once youre sure that your direct deposit information is correct, you may still have to wait a couple of weeks to start getting your payments while your unemployment department verifies your bank account. In Massachusetts, for example, this process takes nine business days. During that time, the department puts your benefits on hold, and you dont get paid.
If You Havent Received Your Payment
To see if weve processed your payment, sign in to your eServices account and click on UI Claim. You can also call the weekly claims line and select option 3 to see if it has been processed.
If the payment was issued and it has been seven mail delivery or banking days, but you still have not received benefits, call the claims center for help.
Replacing lost or stolen payments takes time. In the meantime, continue to submit your weekly claims.
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Could I Use My Chime Spending Account To Receive Unemployment Benefits For A Loved One Or Someone Else Besides Me
No. As with all direct deposits, the name on the payment must match the name on the account. This means you cannot receive unemployment benefits deposits to your account on behalf of someone else.
If your family or loved ones arent Chime members, they canopen a Chime Spending Account today! Once they open a Chime Spending Account, they can then directly deposit their unemployment benefits.
South Carolina Resuming $300 Unemployment Compensation Payments
CHARLESTON, S.C. – State officials are resuming the $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment compensation benefits after the passage of the stimulus bill.
As of Monday, officials with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce said they have paid more than $10 million overnight to the first round of claimants eligible for the $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation supplemental benefits.
According to DEW officials, starting with claim week ending January 2, 2021, claimants who are eligible to receive at least $1 of an unemployment program will also receive an additional $300 on top of their weekly benefit amount.
This supplemental FPUC payment, made available by the recent passing of the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act, will be provided to eligible claimants through claim week ending March 13, 2021, state officials said.
Officials say the reason why the payments were implemented so quickly was because the state agency received guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor.
For more information on the program click here.
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How Much Can You Get
How much you can receive in unemployment benefits depends on your state and your income. Find your state on the interactive menu below to see the maximum amount you may be eligible for. If youre approved for less than the weekly max, you may qualify for additional benefits if you support a dependent.
Benefits stated below do not include any additional benefits that you may be eligible for under the C.A.R.E.S. Act.
Am I Eligible For Benefits During A Leave Of Absence From My Job
Generally, you are not eligible for benefits during a leave of absence from your job. In order to be eligible for benefits, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own, be actively seeking work, and be able and available to accept work if it is offered to you. In limited circumstances, an exception may apply to the general rule. DES will make a determination in each case.
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You Made A Mistake On Your Claim
If youre filing for the first time, or the claim forms have changed, or your states filing system has changed, then its easy to make a mistake on your unemployment application. Unfortunately, sometimes the smallest thing, such as failing to check a box, can keep your claim from being automatically approved. Instead, it will end up in a long queue of claims that need a human to review them.
Here are some of the mistakes that people make when filing for unemployment.
How Come I Dont See Direct Deposit As An Option With My State
Unfortunately, at the moment, the following states do not have direct deposit options:
- California
- Oklahoma
- Arizona
Once you receive your unemployment benefits, you can always transfer the money into your Chime Spending Account via your Chime app. This may help you avoid potential prepaid card fees and take advantage of the Chime app along with ourautomatic savings features.
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Eligibility Requirements For South Carolina Unemployment Benefits
In South Carolina, the Department of Employment and Workforce handles unemployment benefits and determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must meet the following three eligibility requirements in order to collect unemployment benefits in South Carolina:
- Your past earnings must meet certain minimum thresholds.
- You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by South Carolina law.
- You must be able and available to work, and you must be actively seeking employment.
How Is My Weekly Benefit Amount Determined
Your weekly benefit amount is the amount of money you may receive each week. This is calculated by dividing your total of wages in the last two quarters by 52. That number is then rounded to the next lower whole dollar. In order to receive a payment, the total must equal to or exceed $15. The exact amount of benefits and the length of time that you may get benefits cannot be determined until you actually file your claim for benefits.
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Your Direct Deposit Information Was Incorrect
Signing up for direct deposit is often a faster, more secure way to get your unemployment benefits. However, its easy to make a mistake when youre typing in your routing or account number.
Try logging in to your unemployment benefit account and verifying that your information is correct. You might ask someone whom you trust to read aloud the numbers you entered while you look at one of your checks and make sure that things match up.
Sc Unemployment Rate Drops To 63% As People Find Work And Flee The Job Market
Some of those applicants, she said, have been unable to obtain benefits even months after they were laid off. But this week was the first time she got a call from someone who had qualified for unemployment and had their payments cut off amid the pandemic.
That individual told Berkowitz they received a text message notifying them that they answered a security question wrong. They were given the same instructions that Brown was. They needed to either upload a copy of their driver’s license, passport or registration card through DEW’s website, or they could send it to the agency via fax or by mail, which DEW warned would take longer to process.
Berkowitz understands the reasoning for DEW implementing more security. She gets that identity thieves can try to illegally profit from the unemployment system.
But Berkowitz questions why people who answer a question wrong aren’t given a set amount of time to confirm their identity before their unemployment aid stops arriving. Unemployment payments are the only financial lifeline for many people right now, she said, and immediately cutting off payments to them for a unspecified period of time is hard to justify in her mind.
People answer questions wrong accidentally, Berkowitz said. People get locked out of online subscriptions or their email all the time.
“To me, that’s an awfully cavalier response,” she said. “It really goes to demonstrate how we do not prioritize workers in our state.”
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Who Is A Base Period Employer
Your base period employer is any covered employer who reported wages for you during the base period of your claim. All base period employers are potentially responsible for a proportional share of charges based on the percentage of benefits reported for you during your base period.
How Can I Get My Unemployment Directly Deposited Into My Chime Spending Account
For most states, direct depositing your unemployment is easy, even if you are already receiving unemployment benefits via prepaid card. Make sure the name on the payment matches the name on the bank account.
Information youll need differs by state but generally it includes:
- Bank Account Number
- Routing Number
- Social Security Number
Youll need to log into your states unemployment website and enter your Chime Spending Account and routing numbers, which can be found in your Chime app under Settings.
If you live in Tennessee, New Jersey, and New Mexico, you might be experiencing issues depositing your unemployment with Chime. We are actively working with these states to have this problem resolved ASAP.
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How Are Attached Claims Handled
An employer may file an attached claim only if the employer has a positive balance in its UI account. If an employer does not have a positive balance, it must pay DES an amount equal to the amount necessary to bring the employers negative balance to at least zero. After this happens, there are other restrictions with which the employer must comply:
Can I File A Claim If I Am Not A United States Citizen
If you are not a citizen or national of the United States, you must have legal authority to work in the U.S. You must present either:
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You Should File Your Claim For Unemployment Benefits As Soon As You Lose Your Job But You Might Not Receive Your First Check For At Least A Few Weeks
Updated by Aaron Hotfelder, J.D., University of Missouri School of Law
If you have recently lost your job, you are probably anxious to start collecting unemployment benefits. Unemployment is available to those who are temporarily out of work, through no fault of their own. To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must file a claim with your state unemployment agency. The agency will then review your application, perhaps interview you , and make an eligibility determination. If the agency finds that you’re eligible for benefits, it will calculate your benefit amount and begin paying your benefits.
This article explains how the process generally works. However, each state follows its own procedures for handling unemployment claims. To find out how long you should expect to wait to start receiving benefits, contact your state’s unemployment agency.
What If I Work Part
If you work part-time, you must report the gross earnings for the weeks that you worked, and you must maintain your eligibility requirements. If your only employment was part-time and you have been separated, you may be eligible to receive benefits. Contact a DES claims representative at 1-888-737-0259 so that a determination can be made.
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