Anyone else notice that if you transfer on a Monday it goes through faster than if you do it on a Thursday or Friday? Or is that just me?

Update: I went ahead and initiated the transfer this morning. The Money Network site says it should be in my account by Tuesday! Cutting it close for rent but should work out. Thanks everyone for the advice!

I just went through this same process a few weeks ago! Here's what worked for me: 1. Download the official Money Network app (look for the blue/white logo by Money Network Financial, LLC) 2. Create your online account using your card number and the temporary PIN they mailed with the card 3. Go to "Transfer Money" and add your credit union account - you'll need your routing number and account number 4. Start with a small test transfer ($25-50) to make sure everything connects properly 5. Once that goes through (usually 1-2 business days), you can transfer the rest The whole process was surprisingly smooth once I found the right app. I was worried it would be complicated but it's actually pretty straightforward. The Money Network customer service line (number on the back of your card) is also much more helpful than regular EDD phone support if you run into any issues. One heads up - there's a daily transfer limit of $5,000, so if you have more than that you'll need to do it over multiple days. But for most people that shouldn't be an issue. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions about the process.

I just went through this exact same situation last month! The Money Network app method is definitely the way to go - so much easier than I expected. Just make sure when you download the app that you get the official one (Money Network Financial, LLC with the blue/white logo). One thing that saved me a lot of headache: have your credit union routing and account numbers ready before you start the setup process. You can usually find these on a check or by logging into your credit union's online banking. The whole linking process took me about 5 minutes once I had all the info ready. Also, don't panic if the first transfer takes a full 3 business days - that's normal for the initial one. After that, mine usually went through in 1-2 days. I've moved probably $8,000 total over the past few months with zero issues or fees. The peace of mind of having your money in your regular account is totally worth the small hassle of setting it up!

Just wanted to add my experience since this thread has been so helpful! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - got the dreaded $0 wage award letter even though I had worked at a construction company for over a year before being laid off. Like many of you, I initially panicked thinking I wouldn't qualify for benefits at all. After reading similar advice online, I called EDD and found out that my employer had reported my wages under my full legal name "William" but I had applied using "Bill" which is what I go by everywhere. Such a simple mix-up but it completely blocked the system from matching my wage records! The EDD rep fixed it during our phone call and I got my corrected award letter about a week later. My weekly benefit amount ended up being $389, which was a huge relief. I also got backpay for all the weeks I had certified while waiting for the issue to be resolved. For anyone still dealing with this - definitely keep calling until you get through to someone who can actually access your wage records. Don't just wait and hope it fixes itself. The construction industry seems particularly prone to these name/reporting mix-ups, but it sounds like it happens across all sectors. Emma's success story and everyone else sharing their experiences here is so valuable. This thread should honestly be pinned somewhere as a resource for others dealing with EDD wage issues!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I just joined this community specifically because I'm dealing with the exact same terrifying situation - got my award letter yesterday showing $0 wages even though I worked at a pharmacy for 16 months before getting laid off due to corporate restructuring. I was completely devastated when I opened that letter, thinking I'd somehow ruined my entire claim or wouldn't qualify for any benefits. But reading Emma's success story and everyone else's experiences has given me so much hope! It's both shocking and reassuring to see how common this issue actually is across so many different industries. I completed my ID.me verification about 7 days ago, so based on all the timelines people have shared here, I'm right in that window where I should probably start being proactive about calling EDD. After seeing how much faster direct contact seems to work compared to just waiting for the system to fix itself, I think I'm going to try calling tomorrow morning. The advice about continuing to certify even with a $0 award is crucial - I definitely would have skipped that thinking it was pointless! And all the tips about asking specifically for a tier 2 specialist and being prepared for potential employer reporting errors (wrong SSN digits, name variations, etc.) are incredibly valuable. Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories and kept this thread updated with such helpful information. You've all transformed what felt like an impossible nightmare into something manageable with clear action steps. I'll definitely post an update once I get mine resolved to help keep this amazing resource going for others!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help - I just went through a very similar situation last month. I was fired for what my employer called "insubordination" (I questioned a safety protocol that seemed dangerous), and like you, I was terrified about the misconduct label affecting my unemployment benefits. The good news is that EDD approved my claim even though my employer contested it. During my phone interview, the EDD representative explained that they see a lot of cases where employers use terms like "misconduct" or "insubordination" very loosely, but EDD has to apply the actual legal standard. In your case, the fact that you were actively working and helping another department is huge. You weren't being lazy or defiant - you just didn't follow the notification procedure. That's exactly the kind of situation where EDD typically sides with the employee because it doesn't meet their definition of willful misconduct. Make sure to emphasize during any interview that this was your first incident in 2.5 years and that helping other departments was part of your normal duties. Your clean record combined with the fact that you were being productive will work strongly in your favor. Don't let your employer's use of the word "misconduct" discourage you - EDD knows the difference between a firing and actual legal misconduct.

As someone who's been following EDD cases for a while, I wanted to add that your situation actually highlights a really important distinction that trips up a lot of people. Many employers will use the word "misconduct" in their termination paperwork or HR documentation, but that's just their internal classification - it doesn't automatically mean you've committed misconduct under EDD's legal definition. What you're describing sounds more like what EDD would classify as a "discharge for reasons other than misconduct." You were terminated for a policy violation, yes, but the underlying facts show you were actively working and contributing to company operations. The fact that you were helping another department achieve their goals demonstrates you were engaged in work-related activities, not shirking your duties. I'd recommend keeping copies of any documentation that shows cross-departmental assistance was part of your regular responsibilities. Things like past emails, work assignments, or even informal requests from supervisors can be really valuable if your employer tries to paint this as job abandonment or insubordination during their contest. Your 2.5-year clean record is going to be one of your strongest assets. EDD typically looks very favorably on employees with long tenure and no prior disciplinary issues when evaluating whether a single incident rises to the level of misconduct. Stay positive and stick to the facts - your case looks very solid!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's incredibly frustrating and the way EDD explains (or doesn't explain) the difference between benefit year and actual benefit duration is really misleading. What everyone else has said is correct - once your balance hits $0, you've exhausted your benefits even though your benefit year continues until September. The benefit year is just the window during which you can collect your predetermined maximum amount, which is typically enough for about 26 weeks of payments. A few things that might help right now: - Definitely apply for CalFresh ASAP - the application process has gotten much faster - Check with your county's social services for General Relief/General Assistance programs - Many food banks now operate drive-through style and don't require paperwork - Look into temp agencies - even short-term work can help bridge the gap and potentially count toward qualifying for a new claim later I know it feels overwhelming right now, but you're taking the right steps by asking questions and looking for resources. The system really should explain this better upfront, but unfortunately most people only learn how it actually works when they hit this exact situation. Hang in there!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this situation - it's one of the most confusing and poorly explained aspects of the unemployment system. Unfortunately, what others have confirmed is correct: once your claim balance reaches $0, you've exhausted your benefits regardless of when your benefit year ends. The "benefit year" is essentially just the timeframe during which you can collect your predetermined maximum benefit amount, not a guarantee of benefits for the entire year. Your total benefit amount was calculated when you first filed based on your earnings history, and it's typically designed to last about 26 weeks if you certify every week. Here are some immediate steps that can help: - Apply for CalFresh (SNAP) food assistance right away - the process is much faster now - Contact 211 (just dial 2-1-1) for local assistance programs - Look into your county's General Relief or emergency assistance programs - Check with local food banks - many operate no-questions-asked policies now - Consider gig work (delivery apps, etc.) to bridge the gap while job hunting Even though your balance is $0, continue certifying for benefits. If you pick up any part-time work that doesn't exceed the weekly earning limits, you might still receive small partial payments. The good news is that once you work again and earn enough wages (typically $1,300+ in a calendar quarter), you can file a new claim. I know this feels overwhelming right now, but you're asking the right questions and taking the right steps. You'll get through this!