NJDOL issuing new debit cards to unemployment, temporary disability, family leave benefits recipients
NEW JERSEY – New Jersey Unemployment Insurance (UI), Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), and Family Leave Insurance (FLI) claimants who have received benefits on a debit card in the past 18 months will be issued new cards from a new provider this month.
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has partnered with New York Community Bank, known in New Jersey as Garden State Community Bank, to provide UI, TDI, and FLI benefits to claimants who receive their benefits on a debit card.
Claimants should look for their new debit card to arrive in the mail starting this week. The card will arrive in a plain white envelope with an Omaha, NE return address. The envelope might look like junk mail – don’t throw it away, Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said.
Claimants who have provided the Department with cell numbers are receiving text messages to advise them that a new benefits debit card will arrive in the mail.
“We are pleased to have a new partner in New York Community Bank, and we look forward to working with them for years to come to reliably deliver benefits to our claimants in the most convenient way for them,” Asaro-Angelo said.
The current provider, Bank of America, did not bid to renew its contract in New Jersey or other states in 2021, necessitating the transition to a new debit card provider.
The new cards can be used beginning May 18. Funds already issued to Bank of America debit cards can be drawn as normal through August 25. All Bank of America debit cards used to receive New Jersey UI, TDI, and FLI benefits will be deactivated on August 26.
By September 26, claimants should transfer any remaining benefits funds from their Bank of America benefits card account to their own checking or savings account by selecting the “Transfer funds” option from their Bank of America prepaid card account or by using the mobile app. After September 26, claimants should call Bank of America using the number on the back of their debit card to have their remaining balance mailed to them by check.
Since March 2020, NJDOL has distributed nearly $38 billion in UI benefits to more than 1.6 million claimants, while the TDI and FLI programs together have supported more than 250,000 claimants with more than $1.6 billion in benefits.
For more information and updates on the debit card transition, visit www.nj.gov/labor/bank/.
