If filing for unemployment has you feeling confused, you’re not alone. We’ve put together a guide to help you learn how to file for unemployment, as well as understand changes you might see in the wake of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Things are changing fast, and we’re doing our best to stay up to date.

This guide is for informational purposes only. Chime does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. You should check with your legal, financial, or tax advisor for advice specific to your situation. Your state or local unemployment agency is responsible for making all determinations on your eligibility for unemployment benefits. Please contact your state or local unemployment agency if you have questions.

Your access to Mobile Check Deposit is determined by Chime in its sole discretion based on the history of any Chime-branded accounts you have, direct deposit history, and direct deposit amounts and other risk-based factors. Open the app and tap Deposit in the quick-action menu at the bottom of the Welcome screen, then Deposit a check. Choose an account and enter the amount of the check. Take pictures of the check. Banking Services provided by The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The Chime Visa ® Debit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. And may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Chime Visa ® Credit Builder Card is issued by Stride Bank. Chime will determine if you are eligible for the Mobile Check Deposit feature based on the history of any Chime-branded accounts you have, direct deposit history, and direct deposit amounts and other risk.

Benefits of receiving unemployment through direct deposit

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Whether you’re receiving unemployment or don’t think you qualify, our new chat-style tool will help you get the most from your benefits with Chime!

FAQ

We know this can be a confusing process, and we’re here to help. If you have additional questions about unemployment, see our list of FAQ’s below.

The new C.A.R.E.S. Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) has extended $600 per week of unemployment benefits to many who previously weren’t eligible through July 31, 2020. You might be eligible if you are:

• Self-employed
• 1099 Contract workers
• Gig economy workers
• Individuals whose hours have been reduced

The application process is different by state, check with your state’s unemployment website to find out more.

The additional unemployment benefits are released through individual states. Check with your state to find out how you can apply/receive it.

Good news! Under the CARES Act, states are permitted to extend unemployment benefits by up to 13 weeks for anyone who’ve exhausted their unemployment from July 2019 – December 2020. Check with your state to learn more about whether you can take advantage of it.

There could be many reasons depending on your state and your situation. Common reasons include:

• state is still in the process of verifying information
• more information is needed (you will be contacted if this is the case)

It typically takes 2-3 weeks for the government to process your application. Given the large amount of unemployment claims filed, many states are experiencing delays. If you have the option, we recommend direct depositing your unemployment benefits, so you won’t be stuck otherwise waiting for the unemployment prepaid card to arrive in the mail.

Unfortunately, at the moment, the following states do not have direct deposit options:

• Maryland
• Nevada
• California (you can direct deposit payments from the prepaid card after the first payment)
• Oklahoma (you can direct deposit payments from the prepaid card after the first payment)
• Arizona (unless you mail in an original voided check from your bank account)

Once you receive your unemployment benefits, you can always transfer the money into your Chime Spending Account via your Chime app. This may help you avoid potential prepaid card fees and take advantage of the Chime app along with ourautomatic savings features.

For most states, direct depositing your unemployment is easy, even if you are already receiving unemployment benefits via prepaid card. Make sure the name on the payment matches the name on the bank account.

Information you’ll need differs by state but generally it includes:

• Bank Account Number
• Social Security Number

You’ll need to log into your state’s unemployment website and enter your Chime Spending Account and routing numbers, which can be found in your Chime app under “Settings.”

If you live in Tennessee, New Jersey, and New Mexico, you might be experiencing issues depositing your unemployment with Chime. We are actively working with these states to have this problem resolved ASAP.

Switching time varies from state to state. We’ve seen it range from 48 hours to over a week. Check with your state for more details and be sure to keep your unemployment prepaid card in the meantime.

Yes, unemployment benefits may be taxable. You may have to pay federal income taxes and state income taxes, depending on your state.

States that currently waive income taxes on unemployment include California, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Additionally, seven states —Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming — do not levy any state income taxes. Check with your state to find out more details.

No. As with all direct deposits, the name on the payment must match the name on the account. This means you cannot receive unemployment benefits deposits to your account on behalf of someone else.

If your family or loved ones aren’t Chime members, they canopen a Chime Spending Account today! Once they open a Chime Spending Account, they can then directly deposit their unemployment benefits.

Unemployment benefits are mostly exempt from garnishments. However, child or spousal support are subject to garnishment. Additionally, your state may also garnish your benefits if you owe money to the issuing state (i.e. tax).

If you have notifications enabled in the Settings screen of your Chime app, we will send you a push notification as soon as a deposit arrives!

Stimulus payments and Chime

If you are a Chime member, you will be able to find out more about the status of stimulus payments on this page. We will be adding more details as we receive information regarding processing and payment timing.

Please note that our member support agents do not have information on the status of Economic Impact Payments.

Updated Jan 11th, 2021

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If you have not received a stimulus payment yet, you may be impacted by an IRS error.

The IRS recently announced that it will reissue payments for all those affected by Feb 1. Most members should receive payment via direct deposit, or in some cases, paper checks.

We will continue to make payments available as soon as they arrive and keep you updated.

We've got your back

We’re offering temporary access to $200 of spending power through SpotMe to a random selection of eligible Chime members before their stimulus payments arrive.

Direct deposit your stimulus with Chime›

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No hidden fees¹. Grow your savings automatically. Fee-free overdraft for eligible members².

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Get information from the IRS on the status of your Economic Imapct Payment

We've got your back 💚

If you have questions regarding the stimulus payment and your Chime account, please check out our FAQ below.

If you’re eligible for an economic impact payment, but haven’t gotten it yet, it’s likely that the IRS will send you a paper check or debit card. This is expected to start soon and continue throughout the month of January.

If you received the previous stimulus payment as a direct deposit and haven’t received a second stimulus payment, the IRS likely routed your payment to tax preparer companies instead of your account. These payments were rejected and returned to the IRS. If you were impacted, you’ll either receive a paper check or a debit card from the IRS. If you do not receive your payment in any form, then you can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return.

To check the status of your payment, go to IRS.gov/eip and use the Get My Payment tool.

For more information check out the IRS stimulus FAQs.

As with all direct deposits, Chime will make your money available the moment we can. Unfortunately, we have no way to track the status of your payment until it arrives in your account, but you may get your stimulus check early.

We’re offering temporary access to $200 of spending power through SpotMe to a random selection of eligible Chime members. The new SpotMe limit is temporary and limits will be adjusted to normal levels once stimulus payments are distributed.

Also, this increase cannot be combined with any offers or other bonuses. The maximum SpotMe limit is $200. Learn more here.

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Your increased SpotMe limit is not an advance from Chime, a loan, or an addition to the government stimulus. It’s simply a step toward helping make the expected payment available to use as soon as possible.

Protect yourself from scams. If someone is offering you a faster stimulus payment in exchange for money or information, they are a scammer. The IRS has noted a wave of new schemes involving Stimulus Payments. Most schemes involve attempts to collect your personal or financial information in order to receive your payment sooner, but other schemes may involve first sending you a bogus check and requiring that you call in with or mail in additional information.

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If you are the target of a scam, you can report it to the IRS by emailing phishing@irs.gov. For more information, see the IRS’s Coronavirus scams page.