MADISON - Beginning Thursday, July 18, claimants who file new unemployment insurance claims will be offered the option of a prepaid debit card to receive benefit payments, if they choose not to use direct deposit.
Connie Schulze, a legislative liaison for Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, notified members of the Wisconsin Legislature about the change on Monday, July 15. The DWD webpage for Payment Method Options for Unemployment Benefits was under construction Tuesday, July 16.
The DWD said a shift to an all e-payment system will occur over time as claims currently paid by paper checks expire. Nearly half of Wisconsin's UI claimants receive UI benefits through direct deposit.
The gradual shift away from paper checks is expected to save the UI program an estimated $1 million a year in printing and mailing costs and to bring greater efficiencies to the program, once the process is fully phased in.
In addition, the department said claimants will have better customer service through faster payments, improved security, more convenience and access to online account information.
Connie Schulze, a legislative liaison for Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, notified members of the Wisconsin Legislature about the change on Monday, July 15. The DWD webpage for Payment Method Options for Unemployment Benefits was under construction Tuesday, July 16.
The DWD said a shift to an all e-payment system will occur over time as claims currently paid by paper checks expire. Nearly half of Wisconsin's UI claimants receive UI benefits through direct deposit.
The gradual shift away from paper checks is expected to save the UI program an estimated $1 million a year in printing and mailing costs and to bring greater efficiencies to the program, once the process is fully phased in.
In addition, the department said claimants will have better customer service through faster payments, improved security, more convenience and access to online account information.