This entire thread is a goldmine of information! I'm also new to this community and dealing with Money Network issues for the first time. My card was working perfectly fine until last week when it suddenly started getting declined everywhere. I was so confused and stressed because I thought maybe my benefits had been cut or there was some fraud issue. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm now pretty sure it's because I recently switched from Verizon to Cricket Wireless and got a new phone number about 10 days ago. I never would have thought that could cause problems with my unemployment card! The fact that Money Network's error messages are so vague ("information not recognized") instead of just saying "phone number mismatch" is incredibly frustrating. I'm definitely going to try that alternate customer service number (1-800-240-8100) tomorrow morning and use the lost/stolen card option to bypass the automated system. It's amazing how this one thread has provided more useful information than Money Network's own website or help system. Thank you to everyone who shared their solutions and experiences - you're genuinely helping people access their benefits when they need them most! I'll report back once I get this resolved. 🙏

I'm a newcomer here and this thread is absolutely incredible! I've been dealing with Money Network card issues for the past week and was getting nowhere with their main customer service line. My card suddenly stopped working and I kept getting that useless "information not recognized" message when calling. After reading through all these detailed solutions, I'm pretty sure my issue is also the phone number mismatch - I switched from T-Mobile to Visible about three weeks ago and never thought it could affect my unemployment benefits! It's mind-blowing that such a routine change can lock you out of your own money, especially when Money Network gives such vague error messages. I'm definitely going to try that alternate number (1-800-240-8100) first thing tomorrow morning and use the lost/stolen card option to bypass the automated system. The success rate in this thread is amazing - it seems like almost everyone got through within minutes using this method. Thank you all for sharing these workarounds and being so detailed about the process. This community is genuinely helping people survive when the official systems fail us. I'll update everyone once I get this nightmare resolved! 🙏

I'm going through this exact same process right now and this thread has been absolutely incredible - thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! I'm at week 24 of my regular UI benefits and just realized I've been making the same mistake as so many others by waiting for WIOA approval before starting anything with EDD. My case manager has been completely unresponsive for almost 3 weeks now (I've sent 6 emails and left 4 voicemails), and I failed the math assessment on my first try too. But reading all these success stories and specific strategies, I finally feel like I have a real action plan instead of just anxiously waiting. Tomorrow I'm calling EDD at exactly 8:01 AM asking specifically for the "Training Extension Unit" and requesting that DE 8736 form. I had absolutely no idea this was a separate process that could run parallel to WIOA - my workforce center made it sound like everything would be automatic! Also planning to physically show up at my WIOA office this week with a written request for my math retest. Done with the email runaround when my livelihood is at stake. For math prep, I've been using Khan Academy's arithmetic section like several people recommended and it's actually building my confidence. This system is so unnecessarily complicated and stressful, but seeing everyone's timelines proves it IS possible with persistence. Thank you to this community for sharing real, actionable advice that my actual case manager should have told me weeks ago! 🙏

I'm in a very similar situation and this entire thread has been a lifesaver! Currently at week 23 of my regular UI benefits and just had the same wake-up call about needing to pursue WIOA and CTB simultaneously rather than waiting for one to finish. My case manager has also been completely unresponsive - it's been 2.5 weeks since my last email with zero acknowledgment. What's really frustrating is how none of this critical information about separate applications and specific forms gets explained upfront. I had no clue about the DE 8736 form or that I needed to specifically ask EDD for the "Training Extension Unit" until reading everyone's experiences here. My workforce center made it sound like everything would automatically flow together once WIOA got approved. Planning to call EDD tomorrow at 8:00 AM sharp using all the strategies everyone shared, and I'm definitely showing up at my WIOA office in person this week with written documentation of all my unanswered contact attempts. For anyone else dealing with unresponsive case managers - it sounds like escalating to supervisors and creating paper trails is key. Also want to echo what others said about Khan Academy for math prep. I was dreading my retest but the arithmetic section is actually helping me feel prepared. The percentages and basic word problems don't seem as impossible when you practice step by step. Thank you to everyone who shared specific timelines, forms, and strategies - this community support is honestly what's keeping me motivated to push through this bureaucratic maze! 🙏

Ugh, this is so frustrating but unfortunately super common with EDD! I went through something similar where they had my birth month wrong (March instead of May). What a mess! Here's my advice: definitely try the online portal route first like @Rajan Walker suggested - that's genius and way less stressful than the phone system. But if that doesn't work, I found that calling right at 8:00 AM sharp gave me the best chance of getting through. I literally had my phone ready at 7:59 AM and hit redial the second the clock hit 8:00. Also, once you do get it fixed, screenshot EVERYTHING in your account showing the correct info. I've heard horror stories of corrections mysteriously "disappearing" from the system later. Better safe than sorry with EDD! Don't panic though - it's definitely fixable, just takes some persistence. Sending you good vibes that you get this sorted out quickly! 🍀

Hey Isabella! I just went through this same exact issue a few months ago - they had my DOB as 1988 instead of 1998 and it was driving me crazy! Here's what ended up working for me: I tried the online portal first (like some others mentioned) but couldn't find the secure messaging option, so I had to bite the bullet and call. I used a combo approach - called right at 8 AM AND used one of those callback services (similar to claimyr but I used a different one). Cost me $15 but honestly worth every penny to avoid sitting on hold for hours. The rep was actually super nice once I got through and fixed it immediately. She told me it happens ALL the time and they usually just need to verify a few details from your original application. The whole call took maybe 10 minutes once connected. Just make sure to ask for a confirmation number when they fix it! Mine was updated in the system within 24 hours. You got this! 💪

To all those having trouble reaching a human at the EDD. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

As someone who's been through this recently, I can confirm that yes, most EDD claims do start with a $0 balance initially. This is completely normal and doesn't mean you've been denied! The system needs time to process your application and calculate your benefit amount based on your work history and earnings. Here's what typically happens: 1. You file your claim and see $0 initially 2. EDD reviews your employment history (this can take 2-4 weeks) 3. They calculate your benefit amount and update your account 4. You'll receive an award letter in the mail with your official benefit amount The key is to keep certifying for benefits even while you see $0 - this ensures you don't miss any payments once your claim is processed. If after 3-4 weeks you still see $0 AND receive a determination letter showing $0, then it might be a denial that you'd need to appeal. Don't panic if you see the zero balance right after filing - it's just part of the process!

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's illness - what an incredibly difficult and scary situation to face while already dealing with unemployment stress. My heart truly goes out to you. The advice you've received here has been absolutely excellent and comprehensive. Everyone has really covered all the important bases about properly using the "Report Unavailable for Work" option to protect yourself legally while being able to care for your mom. I just wanted to add one small thing that might help: consider writing a brief note to yourself about your emotional state and decision-making process right now. Sometimes when we're in crisis mode, we second-guess ourselves later about whether we made the right choices. Having a record of your thoughtful approach to this situation - prioritizing your mom's health while responsibly protecting your benefits - might be comforting to read when you return and are dealing with the stress of reopening your claim. You're handling an impossible situation with such grace and responsibility. Your mom is incredibly lucky to have someone who will navigate all these complexities to be there for her. The fact that you asked these questions upfront and are following all the proper procedures shows real wisdom during a time when it would be easy to panic. Focus on your family now - you've got everything handled correctly with EDD. Wishing you safe travels and hoping for the very best outcome with your mom's recovery. This community will be here to support you when you return.

I'm so sorry about your mom's illness - what an incredibly overwhelming situation to face while already managing unemployment stress. The comprehensive advice from this community has been absolutely spot-on about using the "Report Unavailable for Work" option. As someone who works in the benefits administration field (though not for EDD specifically), I wanted to emphasize that you're making exactly the right choice by following the proper procedures. The system really is designed to handle situations like yours - family medical emergencies are unfortunately common, and EDD has these protections in place for good reason. One thing I'd suggest based on my professional experience: when you do call or submit your unavailability report, mention that this is for "emergency family care abroad" rather than just travel. The specific terminology can sometimes help flag your case appropriately if any manual review is needed later. Also, don't worry about the timing of when you submit the report - whether you do it before leaving or even after you've already arrived in Brazil, what matters is that you're being honest about your unavailability and following the proper process rather than certifying while abroad. You're being incredibly responsible during one of the most stressful situations anyone can face. Your mom needs you right now, and you're handling everything correctly to protect both her care and your financial future. Wishing you both strength during this difficult time.