I'm currently in my second week of unemployment after getting laid off from my tech job, and I was SO confused when I saw that "waiting period served" status for my first week with no payment. I actually called my mom panicking thinking I'd done something wrong with my application! This thread has been incredibly reassuring - knowing that literally everyone goes through this makes me feel so much better. It's honestly pretty shocking that EDD doesn't explain this anywhere obvious during the filing process. I spent like 2 hours digging through their website trying to figure out if I needed to resubmit something or contact them. A simple popup or notification during certification saying "your first week is an unpaid waiting period required by state law" would save so many people from this confusion. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences here - this community is way more helpful than any official EDD resource I've found!

This whole discussion has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm about to file my first unemployment claim after being let go from my marketing job last week, and I had absolutely no idea about this waiting period policy. Reading through everyone's experiences here has definitely saved me from what would have been a lot of unnecessary panic and confusion. It's honestly mind-blowing that EDD doesn't clearly explain this during the application process - like so many others have mentioned, a simple disclaimer would prevent so much stress for people who are already dealing with the anxiety of job loss. I really appreciate how this community comes together to help each other understand these confusing policies. Now I can go into my application knowing exactly what to expect for that first week and can budget accordingly. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experiences!

Hey, did you end up getting through to EDD? Just curious which method worked for you. I had a similar situation last month (though mine was a phone interview not video) and it took me forever to cancel it properly.

Great to hear you got it sorted out! For future reference for anyone else in this situation, you can also try calling the EDD Employer Services line at 1-888-745-3886 - they sometimes transfer you to the right department and the hold times are often shorter than the main number. Also worth noting that if you have a CalJOBS account, you can update your employment status there too which helps keep everything synchronized across their systems.

I switched to paper checks after my Money Network card got compromised twice in two months - never again! The timing is definitely inconsistent though. I've been tracking mine since January and here's what I've noticed: first payments of the month tend to take longer (maybe EDD processes more volume?), while mid-month payments usually arrive faster. My longest wait was 12 days, shortest was 4 days. One tip - if you have informed delivery through USPS, you can at least see when the check is coming that day instead of obsessively checking your mailbox. The peace of mind of avoiding debit card issues is worth the wait for me, but I totally understand the frustration with the unpredictability.

I've been on paper checks since February after hearing too many Money Network horror stories from friends. The wait times are definitely frustrating - mine have ranged from 5 days to almost 2 weeks with no clear pattern. What really helped me was setting up a small emergency buffer from my first few payments so I'm not desperately waiting for each check to cover immediate expenses. The reliability is actually pretty good once you account for the delay - I've only had one check go missing in 3 months, and the replacement process through UI Online was straightforward (though it did add another 10 days). If you can handle the uncertainty and have some financial cushion, paper checks are definitely safer than the debit card nightmare stories I keep seeing here.

I'm so grateful I found this thread! I've been dealing with the exact same situation - it's been almost 4 weeks since my UI Online shows "Paid" status but still no Money Network card. I was starting to think I was the only one going through this nightmare! Reading through everyone's detailed experiences and solutions has been incredibly helpful. The early morning calling strategy (7:30-7:45am) and asking specifically for a "card fulfillment specialist" seems to be the key based on multiple success stories here. I had no idea there was a difference between general customer service and specialists who can actually track cards through their internal system. The address formatting issues that several people mentioned really hit home for me - I live in a condo and I bet there's a mismatch between how EDD has my address (probably "Unit 4B") versus what Money Network expects (maybe "#4B" or "Apt 4B"). These tiny formatting differences causing weeks of delays is so frustrating but at least now I know what to ask about. I'm also going to check that Money Network website portal someone mentioned (mynycb.com/moneynetworkedd) to see the status of my card, and start the direct deposit switch in UI Online as backup while I pursue getting the card. Thank you everyone for sharing such specific, actionable advice and success stories. This thread has been more helpful than hours of searching official websites! I'll definitely update with how my call goes tomorrow morning. Feeling much more hopeful now! 🙏

I went through this exact same frustrating situation about 6 weeks ago! After reading all the great advice in this thread, I wanted to add one more tip that really helped me when I was stuck in the Money Network system: If you call the 1-888-323-7735 number and they tell you your card was "mailed" but you never received it, ask them to check if it was **returned to sender**. A lot of cards get sent back to Money Network due to address issues (like mailbox full, incorrect apartment format, etc.) but the reps don't always volunteer this information unless you specifically ask. In my case, my card had been returned to sender twice because my apartment mailbox was broken and mail was getting sent back. Once I explained this to the card fulfillment specialist, they were able to put a note on my account and send the replacement to my workplace address instead. Also, if you're really desperate for funds while waiting, some **food banks and local churches** are aware of the EDD card delays right now and offer emergency grocery assistance. It's not ideal but can help bridge the gap while you sort out the card situation. The key is definitely calling early morning (7:30-7:45am) and asking immediately for a "card fulfillment specialist" like everyone else mentioned. Regular customer service reps just can't access the detailed tracking info you need. Don't give up - your money is safe and you WILL get access to it! The system is just painfully slow but totally fixable once you reach the right person. 🙏

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you're certifying during the shutdown weeks, pay close attention to the work search requirement questions. Even though you're technically still employed, you still need to be conducting work searches to maintain eligibility. Some people think they can skip this step during temporary shutdowns, but EDD still requires it. Keep a record of your job search activities (even if it's just updating your resume or checking job boards) because they can audit this at any time. Also, if your temp agency has other positions available during the closure, you might be expected to accept suitable work through them. Good luck with everything - the holiday closure situation is super stressful when you're already tight on money!

Hey! I work at the EDD regional office (not giving advice just sharing what I see come through) and this type of situation is super common during the holidays. You're absolutely on the right track with what everyone's saying here. Just wanted to emphasize a few things that trip people up: 1. Keep screenshots of your certification submissions - if there's ever a question later, having proof of what you reported is invaluable 2. The "temporary shutdown" option is sometimes buried in the dropdown menus, so look carefully 3. If you get any weird automated messages or letters from EDD during this time, don't panic - the system sometimes flags unusual patterns even when everything is correct Also, pro tip: certify as early as possible on your certification day. The system gets overloaded during holiday periods and you don't want technical issues to delay your payment when rent is due. The fact that you're planning ahead and asking these questions shows you're being responsible about it. Most people in your situation qualify for benefits during temporary shutdowns as long as they report everything accurately.