I'm in the exact same boat as you! Just got my Money Network card a few days ago and was shocked when I could only withdraw $300 at the CVS ATM near my place. Really glad you asked this question because these responses are super helpful. Sounds like the key is finding a major bank ATM (Chase, Wells Fargo, etc.) during business hours rather than those convenience store ones. The $1,000 daily limit should definitely cover rent, but it's frustrating that individual ATMs have their own lower caps. I'm definitely downloading that Money Network app everyone keeps mentioning - seems like the ATM locator feature is essential for avoiding fees and finding machines that actually let you withdraw decent amounts. Thanks for starting this thread, really saved me from a lot of trial and error!

I've been using the Money Network card for about 8 months now and can definitely confirm the $1,000 daily ATM withdrawal limit. Here's what I've learned that might help you get your rent money without multiple trips: **Best ATM locations for higher withdrawals:** - Major bank branches (Chase, Wells Fargo, BofA) during business hours - these consistently allow $800-1000 per transaction - Credit union ATMs often have good limits and lower fees - Avoid convenience store/gas station ATMs - they usually cap at $300-400 **Alternative options if you need more flexibility:** - Bank teller withdrawal with ID: up to $10,000 per transaction - Cash back at grocery stores: $100-200 extra without counting against ATM limit - Online rent payment directly from card if your landlord accepts it **Essential tip:** Download the Money Network mobile app ASAP - the ATM locator shows fee-free locations and will save you tons in surcharge fees. I probably would have paid hundreds in unnecessary fees without it. For your immediate rent situation, I'd suggest heading to a Chase or Wells Fargo branch ATM during business hours. You should be able to get most or all of what you need in one transaction. Good luck!

For anyone still waiting on their card, I wanted to share what worked for me when I was in the same anxious situation a few weeks ago. Besides all the great advice already mentioned here (USPS Informed Delivery, calling Money Network for mail date, etc.), I found it really helpful to create a backup plan just in case. I talked to my landlord early about the potential delay and also reached out to family to see if anyone could help with a short-term loan if needed. Having that safety net in place actually reduced my stress a lot while waiting for the card to arrive. My card ended up coming in 8 business days, so right in that typical window everyone mentions. Also, pro tip: when you do get your card, take a photo of it (front and back) and store it securely in case you ever need the card details before the physical card arrives for future situations. The whole process is definitely nerve-wracking but this community has such good advice - you'll get through it!

I applied and had a phone call on 12/02 and was approved. My first payment was issued on 12/03, today is the 16th and I still have yet to receive my card. I'm praying it arrives today because I have some bills I need to cover. I'm thinking it's taken so long because of the volume of people applying as well as the USPS being busy during this season. I hope you get yours asap but just so you have reference , it will be 12 business days as of today that I've waited. Please Lord 😭

I'm so sorry you're going through this - I know exactly how terrifying it is to see that zero balance! I was in the same position about 4 months ago and the stress was overwhelming. Everyone here has given you fantastic advice about filing a new claim. I just wanted to add that when you do file, make sure you have your Social Security card and ID ready if they ask for verification. Sometimes the system flags new claims for identity verification, especially if there's been a gap or if you're filing based on limited part-time work. Also, while you're waiting to hear back on your new claim, check if your local community colleges offer free job placement services. Many have partnerships with employers and can help you identify transferable skills you might not have considered. My local college's career center helped me realize my restaurant management experience qualified me for supply chain coordination roles, which I never would have thought to apply for. One more resource - if you're struggling with that $2,300 rent, see if your city has a tenant rights organization. Some offer emergency rental assistance or can connect you with landlord mediation services if you need to negotiate payment plans. You're taking all the right steps by reaching out here and planning to file that new claim. This situation sucks, but it's temporary and you WILL get through it. Your management experience is valuable - don't underestimate what you bring to the table!

I just wanted to chime in with some encouragement - you're handling this really well by reaching out and getting advice before panicking! I went through benefit exhaustion about a year ago and it's honestly one of the most stressful things I've ever dealt with. Everyone here has covered the main points perfectly - file that new claim even if you're unsure about qualifying, apply for CalFresh, and definitely call 211. But I wanted to add one thing that really helped me: when I was calculating my part-time earnings to see if I'd qualify for a new claim, I initially forgot to include tips that I'd reported. If you received any tips at the coffee shop that you reported to EDD, make sure to include those in your calculations too. Also, regarding your restaurant management background - grocery stores are actually hiring a lot of management-level positions right now, and the skills translate really well. Scheduling, inventory management, customer service, team leadership - it's all the same stuff. Plus many grocery chains offer better benefits and more predictable hours than restaurants. The fact that you've been consistently working part-time while on UI shows you have a strong work ethic, and that 10 hours a week over several months might add up to more than you think. File that claim with confidence - you've earned those wages and deserve to have them count toward your eligibility. You've got a solid plan now and this community has your back. Take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to come back here if you need more support!

I'm new to this community and going through a similar situation right now! I've been on UI for about 6 weeks and just got offered a small 1099 project that would pay around $800. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful and honestly a bit scary - I had no idea about the cross-matching with tax records or how serious EDD is about unreported income. The consensus here is crystal clear: report EVERYTHING, even small amounts. The stories about people getting hit with overpayment notices months later are terrifying! I'm definitely going to report any 1099 work I do, even though it means reduced benefits for those weeks. One quick question for the community - when you report 1099 income, do you include any expenses you had to pay for the work (like gas, supplies, etc.) or do you always report the full gross amount? I want to make sure I understand the rules correctly. Thanks everyone for being so open about your experiences - this thread should be required reading for anyone on UI who's considering freelance work!

As someone who's been through multiple UI claims over the years, I can't stress enough how important it is to report ALL income, including 1099 work. The stories here about people getting caught months later are absolutely true - EDD's cross-matching system is incredibly thorough and they WILL find unreported income eventually. I've seen so many people think they can "get away" with not reporting small contractor jobs, but the penalties are devastating. A few hundred dollars in unreported income can turn into thousands in overpayments plus penalties. It's just not worth the risk. For your $620, definitely report it for the week you actually performed the work, not when you got paid. Yes, your weekly benefit will be reduced, but you'll likely still get partial benefits using their formula. And most importantly, you'll sleep better knowing you're being completely honest with the system. EDD may be slow and frustrating to deal with, but they don't mess around when it comes to unreported income. Always better to be transparent upfront than deal with fraud allegations later!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now and it's such a relief to find this thread! I was making $5,200/month as a software developer before getting laid off six weeks ago, and my EDD weekly benefit is only $425. Like everyone else here, I had absolutely no idea about the benefit caps and was completely blindsided by how little unemployment actually provides. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly helpful - I've already started applications for CalFresh and called 211 yesterday, which connected me to three different local assistance programs I didn't know existed. The mental reframe of viewing this as "temporary survival mode" rather than trying to maintain my previous lifestyle has been crucial for my sanity. One thing I've learned that might help others: if you're in tech like me, there are some industry-specific resources. Organizations like TechStars and local coding bootcamps sometimes have emergency funds or job placement assistance for laid-off developers. Also, some companies are specifically hiring people on unemployment for short-term contract work that stays under the benefit earning limits. The job market is definitely brutal right now, but this community and all the shared resources are helping me stay hopeful. Thank you everyone for being so open about your struggles and solutions - it makes this whole situation feel less isolating!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the sticker shock is absolutely real and you're definitely not alone! I just went through the same thing when I got laid off from my accounting job last month. I was making about $4,400/month and my weekly benefit came out to $375, which was such a harsh wake-up call. What's really helped me is taking advantage of all the resources people have mentioned here. I immediately applied for CalFresh (got approved in about 10 days), called 211 which connected me to local food banks and utility assistance programs, and reached out to my landlord to explain the situation - they actually worked with me on a temporary payment plan. The mental shift to "survival mode" that others mentioned is so important. I had to completely restructure my budget and cut everything non-essential, but it's actually been eye-opening about what I really need versus what I was spending on before. One thing that's helped supplement the income is doing some freelance bookkeeping work on weekends, staying under that $25/week limit so it doesn't affect benefits. Every little bit helps when you're trying to stretch these payments. The job market feels really tough right now, but reading everyone's stories and practical advice here gives me hope that this really is just temporary. Hang in there - we're all rooting for each other!