For those still struggling with this, I want to add that when you call Bank of America EDD at 1-866-692-9374, make sure you have your Social Security number and the phone number associated with your EDD account ready. They'll ask for verification before processing the emergency transfer. Also, double-check that the Western Union location you're planning to visit is actually open and has enough cash on hand - I learned this the hard way when I drove to a location that had closed early. The $15 fee is automatically deducted from your transfer amount, so if you request $300, you'll actually receive $285. Hope this helps someone avoid the headaches I went through!

Just wanted to share my recent experience with the emergency transfer process. I called the BOA EDD line yesterday and the wait time was about 45 minutes, which seems better than what some others have experienced. One thing I learned is that they'll ask you to stay on the line after processing your request because Western Union will call you back within 10-15 minutes with a confirmation number that you'll need to pick up your money. Make sure you're in a quiet place where you can hear clearly when they call back. Also, bring a photo ID that matches the name on your EDD account when you go to Western Union - they're pretty strict about this. The whole process took about 2 hours from start to finish, but it was worth it to get access to my funds without waiting for a replacement card.

I just went through this same situation about a month ago and wanted to share what worked for me! You're definitely on the right track - EDD will automatically send you the Money Network card regardless of whether you set up direct deposit or not. The card typically arrives within 5-10 business days in a plain white envelope that honestly looks like junk mail, so keep an eye out for it. For direct deposit, log into your UI Online account and look for "Payment Methods" - it might be under "Profile" or "Manage Account" depending on how the site is laid out that day (their interface seems to change randomly). You'll need your bank's routing number and your account number. Just make sure to double-check those numbers because even a small typo can delay everything by weeks. Here's the important part: even if you set up direct deposit immediately, your first payment will almost certainly still go to the card because of processing delays. But don't worry - you can use that card right away at ATMs or stores just like a regular debit card. After that first payment, everything should switch over to direct deposit automatically. One last tip - take screenshots of your direct deposit setup confirmation and save any confirmation emails. EDD's system can be glitchy and sometimes "forgets" your settings, so having that documentation can save you a lot of headaches if you need to call them later. Hang in there and congrats on getting approved!

I just went through this exact same process about two weeks ago, so this thread is super timely! Like everyone mentioned, you'll definitely get the Money Network card automatically - it came to me in about 6 days in a really plain white envelope that I almost threw away thinking it was spam mail. For direct deposit, I found the option under "Manage Account" in my UI Online portal, but it took me a while to locate it because their menu layout isn't very intuitive. Make sure you have your routing and account numbers ready, and definitely verify them with your bank first - I called mine just to double-check and they confirmed my account could receive ACH deposits no problem. One thing that really helped me was setting up both payment methods right after approval but not stressing too much about which one would be used first. My first payment went to the card as expected, but starting with payment #2, everything has gone smoothly to my bank account via direct deposit. The Money Network card actually isn't terrible to use if you need quick access to funds - I used it at an ATM the day I got my first payment and there were no fees for the first couple withdrawals. But direct deposit is definitely more convenient long-term. Just remember to activate that card even if you plan to use direct deposit, because EDD can be unpredictable about which method they use sometimes! Hope this helps and congrats on getting through the approval process - I know how stressful that wait can be!

This whole thread is exactly what I needed to see! I just made the switch to the Money Network card last week and was starting to get anxious about when my first payment would show up. Reading everyone's experiences really helps manage expectations - sounds like 5-7 business days is pretty standard for that initial deposit. Really appreciate everyone sharing their timelines and tips. The automated phone system check is definitely something I'll try, and good to know about potential system delays they're having right now. Thanks for documenting this whole process!

This thread is super helpful! I'm about to make the switch from paper checks to the Money Network card myself and was wondering about the timing. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like that first deposit really does take 5-7 business days which is way longer than I expected. The fact that EDD doesn't clearly communicate this delay upfront is pretty frustrating - would definitely help reduce anxiety if they just told people to expect a week wait for the initial deposit. Thanks for sharing all the real-world experiences and tips, especially about checking the automated phone system. Bookmarking this thread for when I make my switch!

So glad you got it sorted out! This thread is super helpful - I'm bookmarking it for future reference. One thing I'd add is that if anyone else is in this situation and needs emergency access to funds while waiting for the card, some credit unions and banks offer short-term advances or emergency loans if you can show proof of pending unemployment benefits. Obviously not ideal since there are fees involved, but it can be a lifesaver when rent is due. Also, once you do get your Money Network card, you can usually transfer funds to your regular bank account through their app or website pretty quickly, which might be faster than waiting to set up direct deposit if you need the money ASAP.

This is such a useful thread! I went through the exact same stress a few months ago. One additional tip I'd share - if you're still waiting for your card after getting confirmation it was mailed, you can actually call your local post office and ask them to flag any mail from South Dakota with your name. I did this and the postal worker was super helpful - she found my Money Network card mixed in with a pile of what looked like credit card offers that hadn't been delivered yet. Sometimes mail gets delayed or misplaced, especially if you live in an apartment complex. It's worth a shot if you're getting close to that 10-14 day window and still haven't received it!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! One thing I learned that might help - when you're filling out the DE 2500A forms, they ask for your "gross earnings" for each week. Make sure you report the actual week you earned the money, not when you got paid. So if you worked Monday-Friday but got paid the following week, report it for the week you actually worked. This tripped me up initially and caused some confusion with my benefit calculations. Also, keep a simple log of your daily hours worked - it makes filling out the forms so much easier than trying to remember everything later!

Just wanted to share my experience from when I was on SDI and working part-time. The most important thing is to be super precise with your reporting - I used a simple spreadsheet to track my daily hours and wages because the DE 2500A forms are very specific about dates. Also, don't panic if your first few benefit payments seem off - it usually takes EDD a couple weeks to adjust to your part-time earnings pattern. One tip that saved me headaches: I always submitted my continued claim forms online through EDD Online rather than mailing them. You get confirmation that they received it and can check the status. The online portal also shows your payment history which helps you track how your part-time wages are affecting your weekly benefit amount. Hang in there - it gets easier once you establish the routine!