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Direct deposit is a free service where the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) deposits unemployment benefit payments directly into your personal checking or savings account. We can deposit payments in most United States banks or credit unions. We cannot deposit payments into a bank outside of the United States.

If you signed up for direct deposit on a past claim, we use the account information you provided then. If that account is closed or has changed, update your direct deposit information or you may not receive your benefit payments. To update your account information, see the Updating or Changing Payment Method section that follows.

If you sign up, it takes up to eight days to verify your bank account. If you request payment during the eight days, we pay you by warrant. Make sure your address is correct with TWC. If we cannot verify your account or you do not sign up for direct deposit, we pay you by TWC’s debit card.

Requesting Direct Deposit

You can sign up for direct deposit:

  • When you apply for benefits online using Unemployment Benefits Services, or;
  • The next business day after you applied for benefits with our Tele-Center at 800-939-6631.

Do not wait for us to determine your eligibility for benefits to sign up for direct deposit.

If you are being paid by debit card, you can change to direct deposit at any time by following the instructions provided in the Changing Payment Method section.

Sign up for direct deposit or change your payment option online or by phone:

  • Online at Unemployment Benefits Services
    Select Payment Option from the Quick Links menu.
    • New Claimants: For new claimants the default payment method is the TWC debit card. To change your payment method to direct deposit, select “No” on the Payment Option page and you will be directed to the Change Payment Option screen. 
    • Returning Claimants: For returning claimants the Payment Option screen shows the payment method we have on file for you. To change your payment method, select “Yes” and complete the Change Payment Option screen.
  • By phone using our automated phone system, Tele-Serv. 
    Call 800-558-8321 and select option 5.

TWC staff cannot set up your direct deposit because we are not allowed to have access to your bank account information.

Entering Bank or Credit Union Information

When you sign up for direct deposit or update your bank information, you will need to enter:

  • The nine-digit routing number of your United States bank or credit union.
  • Your account number and account type (checking or savings) as printed on a check, not a deposit slip.

Bank check showing the nine digit routing number at the bottom left of the check, followed by the account number, and then the check number.

If you are not sure about your routing and account numbers, contact your bank or credit union before you try to sign up for direct deposit.

Direct Deposit Verification

If TWC cannot verify your direct deposit information:

  • We will mail you a letter explaining why the bank rejected your account information.
  • We will pay you by debit card
    If you do not already have a TWC debit card, you should receive a card from our debit card vendor within 7-10 business days of our letter.
  • You can contact your bank or credit union to correct the problem and then resubmit your request to TWC for direct deposit. 
    Whenever you submit new direct deposit information, the eight-day verification process begins again.

Average Time for Deposits

After your account information has been verified by your bank or credit union, you can expect payment within two business days after we process your payment request. That is the same amount of time it takes for payment to be added to your debit card.

TWC sends your direct deposit account information to your bank or credit union, which has eight banking days to verify your account. If you submit an eligible payment request before direct deposit is authorized, TWC will mail you a warrant. Confirm your address by logging on to Unemployment Benefits Services and select Contact Information under the My Profile menu. You can also confirm or change your address with Tele-Serv.

You can verify your direct deposit information:

  • Online at Unemployment Benefits Services.
    Select Payment Option from the Quick Links menu.
  • With our automated phone system, Tele-Serv.
    Call 800-558-8321 and select option 5.

If TWC has direct deposit as your current option, we will show you the last four digits of your account number.

To change the way that TWC pays your unemployment benefits, including updating direct deposit account information, you can:

  • Online at Unemployment Benefits Services.
    Select Payment Option from the Quick Links menu.
  • With our automated phone system, Tele-Serv.
    Call 800-558-8321 and select option 5.

You Will Need:

  • The nine-digit routing number for your United States bank or credit union.
  • Your account number.
  • Your account type.
  • A check, not a deposit slip, for your routing or account number. Contact your bank or credit union if you are unsure about your routing and account numbers.

After TWC verifies your account information, we send your payment directly to your bank or credit union.  Be aware of e-mail scams that try to steal your personal banking information by claiming there are problems with your unemployment payment. Check with your bank or credit union regarding their e-mail policies before you respond to any e-mail purporting to be from your financial institution. Contact your bank or credit union directly if you have questions about your payment.

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