Direct Deposit Frequently Asked Questions

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) offers direct deposit as an alternative payment method to the Chase Bank Visa® debit card, the Colorado Automated Payment (CAP) Card. The following questions and answers provide information about direct deposit.

What is direct deposit?

When you choose direct deposit as your payment method for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, the UI Program uses an automated electronic transaction to deposit UI benefits directly to your existing checking or savings account. The UI Program sends UI benefit payments to the bank account you select.

When can I select direct deposit as my payment method?

Within seven days of filing your claim for UI benefits, you will receive your 4-digit personal identification number (PIN) on Form UIB-571, Personal Identification Number. You must enter your 4-digit PIN to log on to the Payment Selection Web page.

How do I select direct deposit as my payment method?

Visit the Payment Selection Web page to select direct deposit as your payment method after receiving your 4-digit PIN from the UI Program. The Payment Selection Web page is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

NOTE: The CAP Card is the default method of paying UI benefits. You will receive a CAP Card within one week of filing an initial UI claim. The UI Program deposits UI benefit payments to your CAP Card unless you request direct deposit as your payment method.

What information is required to log on to the Payment Selection Web page?

To log on, you must enter your social security number and 4-digit PIN issued by the UI Program. Your account locks after three incorrect entries of a social security number or PIN. You must call the Customer Contact Center at 303-318-9000 (Denver-metro area) or 1-800-388-5515 (outside Denver-metro area) to request a new 4-digit PIN.

Is there an authorization required to sign up for the direct-deposit payment method?

Yes. You must agree to authorize the UI Program to route UI benefits to your selected bank account as follows:

By clicking the I Agree button on the Payment Selection Web page, “I accept full responsibility for my decision regarding my preference for payment method, and for correctly entering my bank account number, account type, and routing number. I understand that entering erroneous or false information may result in not receiving payment for my benefits. I knowingly accept full responsibility for providing the correct information required and agree to hold CDLE harmless from any and all claims that may arise from my actions.”

How do I select direct deposit from the Web page?

After successfully logging on to the Payment Selection Web page and clicking on Proceed, a prompt guides you to select either the CAP Card or direct deposit as your payment method. You must select the direct-deposit payment method, provide the requested account information, and confirm your choice.

What bank account information must I enter for direct deposit?

After selecting direct deposit as your payment method, you must:

Enter the bank name as it appears on documents from the bank (e.g., monthly statement or checks).
Select checking or savings account.
Enter the bank routing number.
Enter the account number for the selected checking or savings account.

You must enter the bank routing number and account number twice.

NOTE: Some credit union or savings and loan routing numbers are not compatible with direct deposit. You may need to contact a representative from your credit union or savings and loan branch to request their American Banking Association number as an alternative. You may also locate or confirm a compatible bank routing number by visiting the Federal Reserve E-Payment Routing Directory.

After confirming your choice, the UI Program sends your personal information (social security number, bank name, account type [checking or savings], bank routing number, and bank account number) to a secure database.

What happens if I enter incorrect bank account information?

Enrollment in direct deposit for the UI Program requires you to enter a correct bank account number and routing number on the Payment Selection Web page. Any mistakes (such as, a wrong bank account number or routing number) will result in delays and could result in your benefit payment going to the wrong account.

NOTE: CDLE assumes no responsibility or liability to recover funds transferred to an incorrect account. Please take extreme care in verifying your bank account information before submitting it. It is your responsibility to work with your bank or financial institution to recover funds transferred to an incorrect account.

Can I choose direct deposit if I have a credit union or savings and loan branch account?

Yes, but some credit union or savings and loan routing numbers are not compatible with direct deposit. You may need to contact a representative from your credit union or savings and loan branch to request their American Banking Association number that allows for a successful direct-deposit transaction. You may also locate or confirm a compatible bank routing number by visiting the Federal Reserve E-Payment Routing Directory.

How do I report a change to my bank account information?

To report a change to your bank account information, you must visit the Payment Selection Web page and reenter your bank name, bank routing number, and the account number for the selected checking or savings account.

How do I request deposit to a different bank account?

To request a deposit to a different bank account, log on to the Payment Selection Web page and enter the bank account information for your preferred bank account.

How long must I wait to sign up for direct deposit if I recently opened a checking or savings account?

Contact a representative from your bank for information about you how soon you can successfully request direct deposit of UI benefits to a recently opened checking or savings account.

How will I know if my direct-deposit payment selection is successful?

If you select direct deposit as your payment method, you must confirm your selection after entering bank account information. A confirmation page appears stating your direct-deposit selection is successful.

Can I switch back to the CAP Card as my payment method after selecting direct deposit?

Yes. You may change between the two methods of payment at any time. Provided you are eligible for payment, the UI Program deposits your entire UI benefit payment amount to the payment method of choice on file as of 5:30 p.m. on the day you contact CUBLine Online or CUBLine to request payment.

How will I know if my request to switch from direct deposit to the CAP Card is successful?

If you select the CAP Card as your payment method, you must confirm that selection before exiting the Payment Selection Web page. A confirmation page appears stating your CAP Card selection is successful. Chase receives notification to reactivate your CAP Card account.

Can I call the Customer Contact Center to request direct deposit?

No. To ensure your personal financial information is secure, you must request direct deposit as the method of UI benefit payments only on the Payment Selection Web page. You must enter the correct bank name, bank routing number, and account number for the selected checking or savings account.

Can I select a bank account from a foreign bank?

No. Because of a change in banking regulations effective in early 2009, the UI Program cannot deposit UI benefits into foreign bank accounts. You must select a U.S. bank for direct deposit of UI benefits. The Federal Reserve Automated Clearing House (FedACH) must recognize the bank as a U.S. bank. A bank representative can inform you of the bank’s FedACH status.

How does the UI Program deposit benefits to my bank account?

The UI Program sends UI benefits to your bank account via an encrypted transmission of data that includes your social security number, bank routing number, and bank account information.

When does the UI Program deposit benefits to my bank account?

On the next business day after you request payment on CUBLine Online or CUBLine, and if you qualify for the payment, the UI Program deposits UI benefits to your bank account. It may take up to 72 hours to complete the transfer of funds to your bank account (excluding weekends and holidays).

What happens with failed direct deposits?

If a bank does not successfully deposit UI benefits into your selected bank account, the bank returns the funds to the UI Program. The UI Program contacts you by phone and/or a letter about the failed transaction. You must then submit your corrected direct-deposit information or select the CAP Card payment method on the Payment Selection Web page. The UI Program holds your UI benefit payment until a successful deposit of the funds to your selected payment method occurs.

NOTE: Entering an incorrect bank routing or bank account number to the Payment Selection Web page will result in delays and could result in a deposit of your UI benefit payment into the wrong account. It is your responsibility to work with your bank or financial institution to recover funds transferred to an incorrect account.

Can I split a UI benefit payment between my CAP Card and direct deposit?

No. Provided you are eligible for payment, the UI Program deposits the entire UI benefit payment to the payment method of choice as of 5:30 p.m. on the day you contact CUBLine Online or CUBLine to request payment.

Can I split a UI benefit payment into more than one bank account?

No. The UI Program deposits your UI benefit payment into only one bank account per deposit.

Can I request that the UI Program deposit my UI benefit payments into a joint checking or savings account?

Yes. You may request deposit of UI benefit payments into a joint checking or savings account. However, the UI Program releases information about your UI benefit payments only to you and not to the other party to the joint account.

How will I know when a deposit of my UI benefits to my bank account is completed?

You must contact your bank or financial institution for account-balance information.

How can I check my UI claim balance and payment status?

You may check your UI claim balance and payment status by calling CUBLine at 303-813-2800 (Denver-metro area) or 1-888-550-2800 (outside Denver-metro area) or by calling the UI Customer Contact Center menu at 303-318-9000 (Denver-metro area) or 1-800-388-5515 (outside Denver-metro area) and selecting the menu option for claim balance or payment status. By selecting the option for claim and payment status, you can get information about the:

Last date on which payment was issued.
Remaining claim balance.
Claim expiration date, also called the benefit-year-ending date.

After I successfully sign up for direct deposit, can I throw away my CAP Card?

No. Even if you select direct deposit as your payment method, you must keep your CAP Card through its expiration date and for the duration of your current or future UI benefit claim. If your original benefit year expires and you must file a new UI benefit claim, you must use your original CAP Card if it has not expired.