Brooklyn man recovers $11,782 after typo misdirects unemployment checks

A one-digit error in a bank account number cost a Brooklyn man more than $11,000 in unemployment benefits last year.

Philip Walters, a former data analyst, lost his job at a New York hospital in November 2025. He attributes the layoff to artificial intelligence. He then applied for state unemployment benefits. The process was slow. Walters was denied twice before filing for a hearing. That hearing took about 16 weeks to schedule. He won the case and was awarded the funds.

The money never reached him. Walters entered the wrong checking account number on the Department of Labor portal. He missed the last digit of his own account number. The state sent the benefits to another person's bank account.

Walters asked his bank to move the money back to his account. The bank said it could not do so unless the Department of Labor initiated a recall. The department did not act. Without the income, Walters took odd jobs. He drove for DoorDash and cleaned houses for a friend after construction work.

Walters contacted ABC affiliate WABC for help. The station worked with the Department of Labor and Walters' bank. They found that a single piece of paperwork was the hold-up. Once both parties agreed, the state released the funds.

On October 27, 2026, $11,782.54 was direct-deposited into Walters' correct account. Walters said the resolution was unexpected. He thanked the station for putting pressure on the department to act. He also shared that he has found a new job.

The funds covered the gap between his layoff and his return to full-time work.