I had my RESEA appointment about 2 weeks ago and wanted to share my experience since I know how nerve-wracking it can be beforehand! Everyone here has given you such great advice already - the appointment really is much more supportive than intimidating. My counselor was incredibly helpful and spent about an hour with me going over my job search strategy. We reviewed my job search records for maybe 15 minutes (I kept mine in a Google Sheet with dates, companies, positions, and how I applied), then she spent the rest of the time giving me really valuable guidance. What impressed me most was how she helped me identify some industries adjacent to my field that I hadn't considered, which opened up so many more opportunities. She also gave me specific tips about tailoring my cover letters for different types of companies and even shared some insider knowledge about which local employers were actively hiring. My follow-up assignment was to complete an online networking workshop within 3 weeks, which turned out to be really practical and gave me some techniques I've already started using successfully. One tip that really helped: I prepared 2-3 specific questions about my job search challenges beforehand. She had access to labor market data and resources I never would have known about otherwise, so having focused questions helped me get the most out of our time together. You sound incredibly well-prepared with your consistent applications and good record-keeping. The fact that you're being proactive about understanding the process shows exactly the kind of initiative they want to see. Try to think of it as getting free career coaching from someone who really knows your local job market - you're going to do fantastic! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

I had my RESEA appointment about 4 weeks ago and wanted to add my experience since yours is tomorrow! I was pretty anxious beforehand too, but it ended up being really productive and helpful. My counselor was genuinely supportive and spent about 50 minutes with me. We went through my job search records pretty quickly (maybe 10 minutes - I had everything in a simple spreadsheet), then she spent the bulk of our time helping me refine my approach. What really stood out was how she helped me understand which of my applications were getting traction and why. She looked at my response rates and helped me identify patterns - turns out I was having much better luck with certain types of companies and application methods than others, which I hadn't really noticed on my own. She also gave me some great advice about following up on applications and introduced me to a few local job placement services I didn't know existed. My follow-up assignment was completing an online course about using professional references effectively, which was actually really eye-opening. A couple practical things that helped: I made sure to have good lighting for the video call, tested everything 15 minutes early, and had my CalJOBS profile pulled up alongside my job search spreadsheet. Also brought a pen and paper since she mentioned several specific resources to look into later. You're clearly doing everything right with your weekly applications and detailed record-keeping. The counselors really do want to help you succeed - think of it as getting expert guidance from someone who knows exactly what's working in today's job market. You've got this! Looking forward to hearing how it goes tomorrow!

Just went through this exact same nightmare last month! The key thing that finally worked for me was being super persistent and specific about what I needed. When I called Money Network's fraud department (1-855-282-6161), I didn't just say "I need a replacement card" - I said "I need you to process a replacement card authorization request to send to EDD, and I need the reference number for that request." Then when I called EDD, I had that reference number and could say "Money Network submitted authorization request #[number] and I need you to approve it." Having that specific reference number seemed to cut through all the confusion between the two companies. The whole process still took about a week, but at least I wasn't getting bounced back and forth anymore. Also seconding what others said about direct deposit - switched to that immediately after getting my new card and it's been so much better!

I'm actually going through this exact situation right now too! Had about $400 in fraudulent charges last week and I've been stuck in the same loop between EDD and Money Network for days. Reading through all these responses is so helpful - I had no idea there was a separate fraud department number or that EDD needed to send an authorization code. I'm going to try the approach of calling Money Network's fraud line first to get that reference number, then contacting EDD through UI Online with the specific request. It's ridiculous that they don't make this process clearer when fraud happens, especially since it seems to be such a common issue with these cards. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least now I have a clear plan of action instead of just calling the same numbers over and over!

Update us if you get in! I'm curious which solution works. The EDD login issues seem to be happening to different people for different reasons, so documenting what works helps everyone.

Wow, this thread is incredibly helpful! I just joined this community because I've been having the exact same login issues with EDD for the past week. Reading through all these solutions gives me hope - I was starting to panic about missing my certification deadline too. I'm going to try the Firefox + early morning approach that worked for @Amara Eze, and if that doesn't work I'll use the TeleCert backup number that @Sofia Martinez mentioned. It's frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to access our own accounts, but at least there are workarounds. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

I'm a freelance video editor who just went through this exact situation 3 months ago - lost my two biggest recurring clients due to budget cuts and my monthly income dropped from $4,500 to about $800 overnight. The panic and uncertainty you're feeling is so real and valid. Here's what I learned: absolutely apply for UI even though it seems like a long shot. I was convinced I'd be denied since I'd been purely 1099 for 3+ years, but during the application process EDD actually found some W-2 wages from a part-time retail job I worked for about 8 weeks during the 2023 holiday season. I had completely written it off as insignificant since it was just temporary work to make extra cash, but those wages qualified me for $195/week in benefits. Also, don't underestimate how much documentation helps with everything. I started keeping a detailed spreadsheet of every client I reached out to, every application I submitted, and every assistance program I applied for. This record-keeping has been invaluable not just for potential UI work search requirements, but also for staying organized and following up on opportunities. One resource that really helped me was reaching out to my local SCORE chapter (free business mentoring through SBA). They helped me strategize how to diversify my income streams and connected me with other local freelancers who were navigating similar challenges. Sometimes just talking to someone who understands the feast-or-famine reality of freelance work makes a huge difference. The video production market has been brutal this year, but I'm starting to see more projects coming available as companies finalize their 2025 budgets. Hang in there - your 4 years of freelance experience shows you have the skills and resilience to rebuild from this setback!

I'm a freelance marketing designer who went through this exact crisis about 9 months ago when I lost my biggest client (70% of my income) and two smaller ones within the same month. The financial panic is absolutely terrifying, but I wanted to share what actually worked for me. Like many others here have mentioned, I applied for UI despite being pure 1099 for years and was shocked when EDD found W-2 wages from a brief stint doing design work through a staffing agency about 14 months prior. It was only 3 weeks of work that I'd honestly forgotten about, but it qualified me for $158/week - not much, but it covered groceries while I scrambled to rebuild. What really made the difference though was casting a much wider net than I ever had before. I reached out to every single person in my professional network, joined local creative Facebook groups, and even started offering services I'd never done before (like social media templates) just to generate some quick income. Sometimes desperation forces you to expand in ways that actually benefit your business long-term. Also, if you haven't already, create a basic website showcasing your portfolio and start posting regularly on LinkedIn about your design work. I got three new clients just from LinkedIn visibility over the past few months. The graphic design market is definitely starting to recover as we move into Q2 2025. You have 4 years of freelance experience under your belt - that shows incredible resilience and skill. This rough patch will pass, and you'll probably come out of it with a more diversified client base than before. Hang in there!

I've been following this thread closely because I'm in the exact same boat - just discovered the direct deposit option and really torn about whether to make the switch. The separate account strategy that everyone keeps mentioning is brilliant and honestly something I never would have thought of on my own! My biggest concern has been the same as the original poster - with all the EDD security breaches and fraud we've heard about, I'm nervous about connecting my banking info to their system. But after reading through everyone's experiences, it really seems like the direct deposit method itself is more secure than those Money Network cards, and the separate account approach gives you that extra layer of protection. I think what's really convinced me is hearing from people like @Owen Jenkins who work in cybersecurity explaining why banks actually have better fraud protection than prepaid cards. Plus, the fact that so many people have successfully made the switch without issues is reassuring. My plan is to open a checking account at a local credit union this week specifically for EDD payments, then set up the direct deposit. The idea of getting payments 2-3 days faster and never having to deal with ATM fees or lost cards again sounds amazing. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - it's made this decision so much easier!

I just made the switch to direct deposit two weeks ago and honestly wish I'd done it sooner! Like many of you, I was super nervous about security after all the EDD fraud stories, but the separate account strategy mentioned here is absolutely the way to go. I opened a basic checking account at a local credit union specifically for EDD payments - no monthly fees as long as I keep $25 in there. The setup process was exactly like everyone described: entered my routing/account info online, got the tiny verification deposits in 2 business days, confirmed the amounts, and my next certification went straight to the new account. The difference is night and day! My payments now arrive on Tuesday mornings instead of Thursday afternoons, and I immediately transfer the money to my main account via mobile banking. No more ATM fees, no more worrying about lost or damaged cards, and definitely no more dealing with Money Network's terrible customer service. The security aspect actually feels way better now - my credit union sends instant text alerts for every transaction, has 24/7 fraud monitoring, and real humans answer the phone if I need help. Way more protection than that prepaid card ever offered. For anyone still hesitating: the separate account approach really eliminates the risk while giving you all the convenience. Just make sure to use strong passwords and enable any security features available on your UI Online account. You won't regret making the switch!