Receiving your unemployment benefits by direct deposit or DUA debit card

If you're eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, you can receive your payments on a debit card or by direct deposit. Learn about both options to see which is right for you.

Table of Contents

Using a DUA approved debit card, the U.S. Bank ReliaCard®

The DUA ReliaCard® is a safe and secure method of receiving your unemployment benefits. You will receive benefits via the debit card unless you sign up for direct deposit to a checking or savings account. Keep in mind your first benefit payment will always be a paper check. For security purposes, your debit card will be mailed to the address you have on file in an unmarked envelope.

What you can do with your ReliaCard®

Using your ReliaCard®

After you receive your ReliaCard®, you must activate it immediately by doing the following:

  • Visit usbankreliacard.com to activate the card and follow the instructions on the screen.
  • When prompted, create a 4 digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to use at ATMs.
  • Sign the back of your card as soon as you activate it.
  • Your debit card is valid for 3 years after activation. Keep it in a secure location even after you stop claiming benefits. If you need to reopen or file a new claim, your benefits will be deposited on the same card.

U.S. Bank customer service

U.S. Bank provides 24/7 customer service for any questions about your DUA ReliaCard debit card. To contact customer service, select one of the methods below:

If your card is lost or stolen, call U.S. Bank Cardholder Services at 1 (844) 532-0696.

Key Actions   for Using a DUA approved debit card, the U.S. Bank ReliaCard®

Setting up direct deposit for unemployment benefits

Once you set up direct deposit, it will take 9 business days for your bank to verify your account. During this time, your benefits will be on hold and will not be paid out until your account has been verified.

If you want your unemployment benefit payments sent directly to your bank account, you need to set up direct deposit. You can set up direct deposit online or by phone. 

To set up direct deposit, you will need: 

  • Your Social Security number
  • The routing number of your bank
  • The account number of your checking or savings account

Once you set up direct deposit, it will take 9 business days to verify your bank account. While your bank account is being verified, you must continue to request benefits weekly and certify your eligibility using TeleCert or UI Online. Once your claim has been approved, your benefits will be deposited into your account 2 business days after you request your weekly benefits.

Key Actions   for Setting up direct deposit for unemployment benefits

Changing your direct deposit information

You can change your direct deposit information at any time, either online or by phone. To change your direct deposit information, you will need:

  • Your Social Security number
  • The routing number of your bank
  • The account number of your checking or savings account

Canceling direct deposit

If you cancel direct deposit for your unemployment benefits it will take effect immediately. You can cancel direct deposit either online or by phone.

Your future benefit payments will be issued to your existing DUA Debit U.S. Bank ReliaCard® If you do not already have a DUA debit card, you will be issued one after direct deposit is canceled.

For all other questions about the card, you may log into your account at usbankreliacard.com.

The ReliaCard® is issued by U.S. Bank National Association pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. © 2022 U.S. Bank. Member FDIC.

Multilingual DUA Debit Card information

Debit card brochure

Debit Card - Chinese (中文)

Debit Card - Spanish (Español)

Debit Card - Vietnamese (Ngôn Ngự Việt Nam)

DUA Debit Card - Portuguese (Português)

DUA Debit Card - Lao (ພາສາລາວ)

DUA Debit Card - Korean (한국어)

DUA Debit Card - Haitian Creole (Kreyol)

DUA Debit Card - Khmer (ភាសាខ្មែរ)

DUA Debit Card - Russian (Бeзpaбoтицa)

DUA Debit Card - Arabic (العربية)

DUA Debit Card - Italian (Italiano)

DUA Debit Card - French (Français)

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