This is exactly why I always keep the Money Network customer service number saved in my phone now! I learned the hard way after my card got frozen during a grocery shopping trip and I had no way to pay. One tip that worked for me when calling their support line - if you get stuck in the automated system, try saying "representative" or "agent" repeatedly instead of just pressing 0. Sometimes their voice recognition will transfer you faster than the number options. Also, if anyone is still having trouble reaching them, try calling early in the morning (like 7-8 AM) - the wait times are usually much shorter then.

This is such an important thread for anyone using EDD Money Network cards! I had a very similar experience a few months ago where my card suddenly stopped working at ATMs. Like others mentioned, it turned out to be a fraud freeze, but what made it worse was that I didn't even know Money Network had a customer service number at first - I was trying to contact EDD directly which was impossible. One thing I learned that might help others: if you're traveling or know you'll be using your card somewhere new, you can actually notify Money Network ahead of time to prevent fraud alerts. I found this out after the fact, but now I always call them before going out of town. Also, keeping a small backup emergency fund in a regular bank account (even just $50-100) can be a lifesaver when these card freezes happen unexpectedly. The direct deposit suggestion from @Nia Harris is definitely the way to go long-term, but for anyone who needs to stick with the card, just know that these fraud freezes are more common than you'd think!

Just a warning - when I transitioned from disability back to work, EDD CONTINUED sending me payments I wasn't entitled to for THREE WEEKS after I reported returning to work!!! Then 6 months later they sent me an OVERPAYMENT NOTICE demanding I pay back $2,800!! Their system is COMPLETELY BROKEN. Make sure you document EVERYTHING and call to confirm they processed your return to work when that time comes.

Just wanted to add from my recent experience - I was on SDI for 7 months after knee surgery and the process was actually smoother than I expected. My orthopedic surgeon was really familiar with the EDD forms and made sure to be conservative with the initial certification (6 weeks) then proactive with extensions. The key was staying in regular contact with my doctor's office about 2 weeks before each certification period ended. They have a system for handling these extensions since they deal with them frequently. Also, make sure your surgeon's office knows you're planning to file for SDI BEFORE your surgery - some doctors prefer to have the paperwork ready to go rather than scrambling after the fact. The 7-day waiting period starts from when you stop working, not when you apply, so get that application in as soon as possible after your surgery date.

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me - you can also get a cashier's check or money order from many grocery stores and pharmacies using your Money Network card. Places like Kroger, Safeway, and CVS usually offer this service. There's typically a small fee ($1-3) but you can get a cashier's check for your full rent amount without dealing with daily withdrawal limits or waiting for bank transfers. I did this last month when I needed to pay $1,800 for rent and my landlord only accepts checks. Just go to the customer service counter, tell them you want a money order, and they'll run your Money Network card like a regular debit purchase. The money order is as good as cash to most landlords and you get it immediately. Also wanted to second what others said about credit unions - they're usually much more helpful with cash advances than big banks. My local credit union has never charged me a fee for cash advances and the staff actually knows how to process them quickly.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Just got my Money Network card and was so confused about the $300 ATM limit. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the cash advance option at bank tellers or that you could get money orders at grocery stores with the card. One thing I'm wondering about that I haven't seen mentioned - has anyone tried using the card for large purchases and then returning the item for cash? Like buying something expensive at a store that gives cash refunds instead of store credit? Probably not the most practical solution but just curious if anyone's tried that workaround. Also, for anyone still struggling with this - I called Money Network customer service directly (the number on the back of your card) and they actually walked me through all the withdrawal options. The rep confirmed that bank teller cash advances are legit and there's no fee from their side. Took about 10 minutes on hold but way easier than trying to reach EDD directly. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - you've saved me a lot of frustration!

Hey Sophia, I'm sorry this happened to you - getting blindsided like that is such a terrible feeling. I wanted to add something that might help ease your mind: California is an "at-will" employment state, which means employers can terminate employees for almost any reason OR no reason at all, as long as it's not discriminatory or retaliatory. The fact that your boss said "going in a different direction" without giving specifics actually works IN YOUR FAVOR for unemployment purposes. It suggests this was a business decision rather than anything you did wrong. When you file (which you absolutely should do immediately), make sure to mention that you received no prior warnings, write-ups, or performance issues during your 14 months there. That's a solid employment history that shows you weren't terminated for misconduct. Also, start documenting your job search efforts right away - you'll need to show you're actively looking for work when you certify. Hang in there, you've got a strong case for benefits!

I'm really sorry to hear about your sudden termination - that's incredibly stressful! The good news is that based on what you've described, you should definitely qualify for unemployment benefits. Being fired without cause or documentation is actually one of the clearer cases for eligibility. A few things that will help your case: 1) You worked there for 14 months with no documented performance issues, 2) Your employer gave a vague reason ("different direction") rather than claiming misconduct, and 3) You were never formally disciplined. When you file online, select "discharged" as your reason and briefly explain you were terminated without specific cause. The key is to file IMMEDIATELY - don't wait even a day. During your eligibility interview (which you'll likely have), stick to the facts and emphasize your clean employment record. Most importantly, start your job search right away and document everything - you'll need to show 3 job search activities per week when certifying. The process can take 3-5 weeks for first payment, but once approved, you'll get back pay for all eligible weeks. Stay strong - you've got a solid case!

I'm in a similar situation - filed about 3 weeks ago and still waiting on paperwork. From reading through all these comments, it sounds like 2-6 weeks is pretty normal, though definitely frustrating. I'm going to try checking the online portal like @Amina Sy suggested - sometimes they upload documents there before mailing them out. If you're really worried, maybe try calling early in the morning when they open (around 8am) or consider reaching out to your local state representative if it goes much longer. Hang in there!

I've been through this exact same anxiety! Filed my claim about 5 weeks ago and was getting really worried when nothing showed up in my mailbox. Turns out my paperwork was stuck in some kind of processing queue - when I finally got through to a rep (took like 50+ calls over 3 days), they were able to see it and push it through. Got everything within a week after that call. The waiting is absolutely the worst part because you have no idea if something went wrong or if it's just normal delays. Based on what I've learned from my experience and reading through this thread, I'd say: - Check your online portal daily (some docs appear there first) - If you hit the 6-week mark, definitely start calling persistently - Keep all your filing confirmation info handy when you do get through The system is frustrating but most people do eventually get their stuff. Hang in there! 🤞