The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is pleased to offer direct deposit of unemployment benefit payments to new and existing eligible claimants (except claimants certifying benefits by mail). With Direct Deposit, your weekly unemployment insurance payment is electronically deposited into your checking or statement savings account.

Direct Deposit offers many benefits:

  • Direct Deposit permits you to access your funds faster via your own bank account.
  • Direct Deposit eliminates the waiting time for a check to arrive by mail, and prevents the occurrence of lost or stolen checks.
  • There is no hassle to get to the bank before closing time to deposit a paper check.
  • Better yet, you pay no fee for using Direct Deposit.

Weekly Certification

Please note that direct deposit does not replace your weekly certification of your eligibility for unemployment benefits.You must continue to certify your eligibility for weekly benefits through TeleCert by calling 1-617-626-6338 or through Webcert at www.mass.gov/dua/webcert.

Account Verification Period

When you sign up for direct deposit, there is a nine (9) calendar day account verification period between the day you sign up for direct deposit and the day that your benefits can be electronically sent to your bank. This time period is used to confirm your account information and the transit/routing number of your financial institution. If you are eligible for benefits in the period before your direct deposit is established, a benefit check(s) will be sent to you by mail to prevent payment delays.

If you change your direct deposit information, the same (9) calendar day account verification period will apply before benefits can be deposited to the new account; any benefits that are due in the account verification period will be sent to you via check.

How to Set Up, Cancel or Change Direct Deposit Information

DUA provides two easy and secure ways using the phone or web for claimants to set up direct deposit or make changes to an existing direct deposit. Step-by-step instructions by phone or web.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

If you have any questions, please review the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers, or call the DUA TeleClaim Center at 1-617-626-6800 (or toll free 1-877-626-6800 from area codes 351, 413, 508, 774 or 978).