This whole thread is such a perfect example of why this community is so valuable! I've been dealing with EDD for over a year now and I still remember how confusing and stressful that first payment was. The Money Network card system really is designed poorly - having to wait for funds before you can even set up your bank transfer just adds unnecessary anxiety when you're already worried about money. But seeing how everyone jumped in to help explain the timeline and share their experiences is exactly what makes navigating this bureaucratic maze bearable. @Gianna Scott, you handled this perfectly by asking the right questions, and it looks like you got some amazing advice from folks who've been through it all. The tip about keeping notes on your certification and payment patterns is spot on - I wish I had started doing that from the beginning. It would have saved me so much stress trying to remember if payments were "late" or just following their usual weird timeline. Welcome to the EDD journey - it's bumpy but this community makes it so much easier!

This is such a heartwarming thread to read! As someone who's been on unemployment benefits twice now (once in 2020 and again recently), I can definitely relate to that initial confusion and stress about the Money Network card system. The first time around, I was calling customer service every day wondering where my payment was, not realizing that the 24-48 hour processing time they mention doesn't include weekends. It's so true what everyone said about the system being backwards - why make people wait to set up their bank info? It just creates unnecessary anxiety when folks are already dealing with financial stress. @Gianna Scott I'm so glad your payment came through and you got such amazing help from this community! One small tip I'd add: if you ever need to check your card balance quickly, you can text "BAL" to 96411 from your registered phone number instead of logging into the app. It's saved me time when I just need a quick balance check. Welcome to the community and don't hesitate to ask questions - everyone here has been through the EDD maze and is happy to help!

This thread has been incredibly helpful to read through! I'm in a very similar situation - got terminated last month for attendance issues at my first job out of college. I was so worried about applying for unemployment because I thought any firing meant automatic denial, but reading all these success stories is really encouraging. Like your daughter, I was dealing with public transportation challenges (unreliable bus service in my area) and had a few absences due to illness. My HR person also told me to "definitely apply for benefits" when they let me go, which confused me at the time but now makes so much more sense after reading the insights from the HR manager and benefits coordinator here. I applied about a week ago and just got scheduled for an eligibility interview next week. Reading everyone's advice about being honest, focusing on the transportation barriers rather than accepting the "misconduct" label, and emphasizing that the issues weren't intentional has really helped me prepare for that conversation. It's especially reassuring to hear from people who work in employment law and benefits coordination that these cases are actually pretty common and often have positive outcomes. The fact that so many people here had similar situations and were ultimately approved gives me hope that my case might work out too. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and advice - this community is amazing for helping people navigate these stressful situations!

As someone who just went through the EDD application process myself after a similar termination, I wanted to add that your daughter should also be prepared for the possibility that her employer might initially contest the claim even if HR seemed encouraging. This happened to me - HR told me to apply, but then the company's corporate office contested it when EDD reached out to them. Don't panic if this happens! It just means she'll get an eligibility interview where she can explain her side. I was initially worried when I got the notice that my employer contested, but the interview actually went really well. The EDD representative was very understanding about transportation issues and seemed to recognize that being late due to unreliable public transit isn't the same as just not caring about the job. The interview lasted about 15 minutes and they mainly wanted to understand whether I had tried to address the transportation problems and whether my actions showed "willful misconduct." Since I could explain that I was doing my best with limited transportation options and that I actually liked my job, they approved my claim. Even if your daughter's case gets contested, she shouldn't give up. The appeal and interview process exists specifically for situations where the circumstances matter more than the employer's initial classification. With all the positive signs everyone has mentioned here - HR encouraging her to apply, legitimate reasons for the attendance issues, short tenure showing she wanted to make it work - she has a really strong foundation for her case.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you're certifying during the shutdown weeks, pay close attention to the work search requirement questions. Even though you're technically still employed, you still need to be conducting work searches to maintain eligibility. Some people think they can skip this step during temporary shutdowns, but EDD still requires it. Keep a record of your job search activities (even if it's just updating your resume or checking job boards) because they can audit this at any time. Also, if your temp agency has other positions available during the closure, you might be expected to accept suitable work through them. Good luck with everything - the holiday closure situation is super stressful when you're already tight on money!

Hey! I work at the EDD regional office (not giving advice just sharing what I see come through) and this type of situation is super common during the holidays. You're absolutely on the right track with what everyone's saying here. Just wanted to emphasize a few things that trip people up: 1. Keep screenshots of your certification submissions - if there's ever a question later, having proof of what you reported is invaluable 2. The "temporary shutdown" option is sometimes buried in the dropdown menus, so look carefully 3. If you get any weird automated messages or letters from EDD during this time, don't panic - the system sometimes flags unusual patterns even when everything is correct Also, pro tip: certify as early as possible on your certification day. The system gets overloaded during holiday periods and you don't want technical issues to delay your payment when rent is due. The fact that you're planning ahead and asking these questions shows you're being responsible about it. Most people in your situation qualify for benefits during temporary shutdowns as long as they report everything accurately.

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Just got laid off after working for about 4 months since my last UI claim ended. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - I was so confused about the quarterly requirements too. @Lucy Taylor - definitely apply online like everyone's saying. I've been putting it off because I wasn't sure if I'd qualify, but it sounds like if you were making decent wages during 2024, you should be fine. The worst they can do is say no, right? Also wanted to add - make sure you have your Social Security card and ID ready when you apply online. I remember from my last claim that the system asks for those right away. Good luck with your application!

I just want to add another perspective as someone who works in HR and deals with EDD claims regularly. Your situation sounds very straightforward for qualification - 5 months of steady work at $4,200/month definitely puts you well above the minimum wage requirements. One thing I always tell employees who are filing: when you get to the section about "reason for separation," be very clear that you were laid off due to budget cuts/downsizing. Don't just put "terminated" or "let go" because that can sometimes flag for additional review. The more specific you are about it being an involuntary layoff through no fault of your own, the smoother your claim will process. Also, since you mentioned this is your second time filing, the system should have all your previous employer information on file, which actually makes things easier. Just make sure your new employer's information is entered correctly when you file. You've got this! With your work history and earnings, I'd be shocked if you didn't qualify.

I just went through this exact same situation last month and completely understand your frustration! The Money Network phone system really is designed terribly. What finally worked for me was calling at exactly 8:00 AM and immediately pressing 1, then 0, then # repeatedly as soon as the automated system started. I had to try this for 4 days straight but eventually got through to a real person who resolved my "security hold" issue in about 10 minutes. Also, make sure to download their mobile app if you haven't already - sometimes the chat feature there works faster than calling. And if you're still having trouble after a few more attempts, consider filing a complaint with your state's consumer protection agency. They often have more leverage with these prepaid card companies than we do as individual customers. Hang in there - the persistence really does pay off even though it's incredibly frustrating that we have to work this hard just to access our own money!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share something that worked for me recently. If you're still having trouble getting through to Money Network, try calling their number and when the automated system starts, press 2 for "report lost or stolen card" - this usually connects you to a live person much faster than the other menu options. Once you're connected, just explain that you actually need help with a payment issue, not a lost card. Most reps are understanding and will transfer you to the right department or help you directly. Also, I noticed several people mentioned the security hold issue - this happened to me too and apparently it's triggered by things like logging in from a new device or having unusual payment timing. The rep explained that these holds are automatic and unfortunately can only be removed by talking to a human, which is why the phone runaround is so frustrating. One last tip - if you do get disconnected while on hold, call back immediately and mention to the rep that you were just disconnected. They can sometimes see recent call attempts in their system and expedite your call. Good luck everyone!