Just wanted to add that you should also keep documentation of everything - save the email or memo from your employer about the shutdown, take screenshots of your UI Online application, and keep records of any communication with EDD. If there are any issues later, having a paper trail will help resolve them much faster. Also, during your shutdown period, make sure you're genuinely available for work each day you certify - that means being able to accept temporary work if offered, even though you're expecting to return to your regular job. Good luck with your claim!

I went through almost the exact same situation two years ago when my small nonprofit shut down for the holidays without pay. Filed for UI benefits and it was approved without any issues. The whole "temporary layoff" classification worked perfectly since we had a definite return date. One tip that really helped me - when I called EDD to verify my claim status (which took forever to get through), the agent told me that small employers like yours often don't realize their employees can file for UI during unpaid shutdowns, so sometimes they're surprised when they get the notice. But like others said, it's totally legal and they can't retaliate. The hardest part honestly was just getting through to EDD on the phone if you need to talk to someone, but the online system worked fine for filing and certifying. Make sure you file ASAP since there's always processing time involved. Hope this helps ease your mind!

I'm brand new to this community and just discovered this incredible thread while desperately searching for help with my own EDD Money Network card closure! Like so many others here, my card was suddenly deactivated after I moved from California to Michigan, and I have about $3,200 trapped in the account. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and incredibly helpful. The detailed phone navigation steps from @helpfulEDDguy are exactly what I've been missing - I've been calling EDD for two weeks with no luck because I didn't know the right menu sequence. And @LeiliH's success story gives me so much hope that this can actually be resolved! It's absolutely mind-blowing how many people are dealing with this exact same issue with out-of-state moves triggering automatic account closures. The fact that EDD doesn't even send a warning before closing accounts is just cruel. But seeing how this community has figured out the system and created basically a step-by-step guide for getting through to actual humans who can help is amazing. I'm definitely going to try the 8:01am approach with those specific menu prompts tomorrow morning. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and solutions - this thread is honestly more helpful than anything I've found on EDD's official website! I'll report back with my results to hopefully add another success story to help future people dealing with this nightmare.

I'm completely new to this community but found this thread while frantically searching for help with my EDD Money Network card that was just closed yesterday! I moved from California to Arizona about 6 weeks ago and have been using the card regularly with no issues until suddenly it stopped working. When I called Money Network they said EDD requested the closure - exactly like what happened to @LeiliH. This entire thread has been like finding a treasure trove of actual solutions after hitting nothing but dead ends everywhere else. The step-by-step phone instructions from @helpfulEDDguy are incredible - I had no idea there was a specific menu sequence that actually works! And seeing @LeiliH's success story along with all the other people who've managed to get through gives me real hope that my $1,850 isn't just gone forever. It's absolutely insane how many people are dealing with this exact same situation. EDD clearly has a major systemic problem with out-of-state address changes triggering these automatic closures, yet they provide zero guidance about it on their website. The fact that this community has essentially had to reverse-engineer their phone system just to help people access their own earned benefits is both amazing and completely ridiculous. I'm definitely going to try the 8:01am approach tomorrow morning with those specific menu prompts. Thank you everyone for creating what's basically become the ultimate guide for navigating this EDD nightmare - this thread should honestly be required reading for anyone with EDD benefits who's planning to move out of state!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to this exact problem! Currently on day 7 waiting for my Money Network card and reading through this entire thread has been both incredibly helpful and deeply frustrating - helpful because of all the amazing tips everyone shared, but frustrating because it's clear this is a widespread systemic issue that shouldn't exist in 2025. I'm going to try several of the suggestions here: calling at 8 AM sharp using the "emergency card replacement due to financial hardship" language, checking with my credit union about emergency loans, and calling 211 for local assistance. It's honestly heartbreaking that people have to become experts in workarounds just to access their own unemployment benefits when they're already in vulnerable situations. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this thread is like a masterclass in surviving the Money Network nightmare. Hoping we all get our cards soon and can switch to direct deposit to never deal with this again!

I'm also new here and currently stuck in the same awful situation - day 10 waiting for my Money Network card while bills keep piling up! This thread has been a lifesaver though. I tried the Money Network app virtual card option that Andre mentioned but it didn't work for my account (seems hit or miss). However, I did call my local credit union after reading Ravi's advice and they have an emergency unemployment bridge loan program I never knew about - $400 max at 1% interest, approved within 24 hours if you show proof of pending EDD benefits. I'm applying tomorrow morning. I'm also going to try the 8 AM calling strategy with the specific "emergency card replacement due to financial hardship" wording that multiple people mentioned worked for them. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops, but at least this community has figured out some actual solutions. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - knowing I'm not alone in this nightmare helps a lot!

I had my DE 4800 interview about a month ago for reduced hours at my pharmacy job - went from 32 to 18 hours when they cut staff due to budget constraints. Just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! **What made the biggest difference for me:** - I practiced explaining my situation out loud beforehand (sounds silly but really helped with nerves) - Had my employee handbook section about schedule changes bookmarked in case they asked about company policy - Wrote down 3 specific examples of job search activities with dates (applied to CVS on X date, called Walgreens on Y date, etc.) **The interview itself:** - Called 45 minutes late but the interviewer apologized and was very professional - Asked the same core questions everyone mentioned - when, who, why, availability, job search - Lasted about 17 minutes - She actually thanked me for being so organized with my information! Got approved in 4 business days. The interviewer mentioned that pharmacy/healthcare hour reductions have been really common lately, so they definitely understand these situations. Omar, your restaurant situation sounds very similar to mine - employer decision for business reasons, not your choice, still employed but seeking more hours. With all the amazing prep advice in this thread, you're going to do great on Thursday! This community really came through with the support. 💪

I had my DE 4800 interview about 3 weeks ago for reduced hours at my retail job (clothing store) - went from 30 to 12 hours when they had to cut costs. Just wanted to share my experience since everyone here has given such amazing advice! **What really helped me prepare:** - Made a simple cheat sheet with key dates, manager info, and reason for reduction - Had the email thread about the hour cuts saved on my phone - Practiced a short explanation: "My employer reduced my hours from 30 to 12 per week in February due to cost-cutting measures" - Listed out specific job search activities I could mention **The actual interview:** - They called about 20 minutes after scheduled time - Interviewer was very professional and understanding - Asked standard questions about when hours were cut, who made the decision, whether I requested it (no), if I'm available for more hours (yes), and what I'm doing to find additional work - Took about 15 minutes total Got approved 4 days later! The interviewer mentioned that retail hour reductions are super common right now, so they totally understand these situations. Omar, your restaurant case sounds very straightforward - employer decision for business reasons, you didn't choose it, and you're still looking for more work. With all the incredible prep advice everyone has shared here, you're going to nail that interview on Thursday! This thread has been so helpful for everyone going through this process. Good luck! 🍀

I was in a very similar situation last year - scheduled interview for eligibility determination after a hours reduction at my retail job. The waiting was absolutely brutal, especially when you're already struggling financially. From my experience and what I've learned from this community, calling early unfortunately won't help and could potentially create confusion in their system. However, here's what I wish someone had told me during that awful waiting period: apply for emergency food assistance immediately (CalFresh can be approved within days), contact your utility companies about hardship programs, and start documenting EVERYTHING about your job situation now. For your specific case with the restaurant hours cut from 40 to 10, that's typically considered "constructive dismissal" or reduction in work that constitutes good cause for leaving. Make sure you have any texts, emails, or schedules showing the dramatic hour reduction. The interview itself was much shorter and less intimidating than I expected. Hang in there - this community has been a lifesaver for navigating this process!

I went through this exact same anxiety last summer when I had my eligibility interview scheduled. The wait feels endless when you're stressed about money, but unfortunately calling early really won't help - those interviews are specifically scheduled and the rep needs time to review your file beforehand. What DID help me was using that waiting time productively: I gathered every piece of documentation I could find (old schedules, any messages about hour changes, pay stubs showing the reduction), wrote out a clear timeline of events, and practiced explaining my situation out loud. Since your hours dropped from 40 to 10 per week, that's actually a pretty strong case - that level of reduction often qualifies as good cause for leaving. The actual interview was way less stressful than I built up in my head, and having all my info organized made me feel much more confident. Also definitely look into CalFresh and local food banks while you wait - there's no shame in getting help during this gap period!