State Unemployment Benefits Now Available By Direct Deposit

Courtesy photo.

By Sonia Isotov

Direct deposit of unemployment insurance benefits will be offered to claimants beginning March 10, 2013, according to an announcement by the Hawai‘i Department of Labor & Industrial Relations today.

To qualify, individuals must have a personal registration account on the UI website http://labor.hawaii.gov/ui. Newly established registrants or existing users can log in and check for the Direct Deposit feature as it becomes available in their area.

“We are pleased to offer the option of having unemployment benefits deposited directly into individuals’ personal bank accounts,” said Dwight Takamine, the director of the DLIR, in a written statement.

“Waiting for the mail to arrive, standing in line at the bank or relying on paper checks that may get lost or stolen can now be avoided by registering on our website.”

According to the announcement, direct deposit is a faster and more secure method of payment for claimants and will save the state money by reducing postage costs.

The implementation of the direct deposit system will be in phases, starting with Kauai and progressing to the remaining islands. By April 2013, all residents across the state will have access to direct deposit.