UPDATE: The money just hit my card this morning (Wednesday)! So that was about 48 hours from when it showed paid on the EDD site. Thanks everyone for the help and calming my nerves. I'm definitely switching to direct deposit for future payments based on all your advice.

I have edd money network card. My disability is using on my card Sunday night. It’s not there, Memorial Day is tomorrow. Could that be a possibility?

I just wanted to add something that might be helpful based on my experience with my uncle who went through this same situation. When your dad reports his Social Security retirement benefits, make sure he understands that he needs to report them EVERY time he certifies, not just the first time. I've seen people get confused thinking they only need to report it once when they first start receiving it. Also, if his Social Security amount ever changes (like with annual cost of living adjustments), he'll need to update that information during certification too. The EDD system will remember his previous entries, but it's important to verify the amount is still correct each time. One last thing - if he ever has any technical issues during the online certification process, the EDD phone lines for technical support (not benefit questions) tend to be less busy and might be easier to get through to. Hope this helps and good luck to your dad!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm in almost the exact same situation - my mom just turned 65 and started receiving Social Security retirement benefits two weeks ago while she's been on unemployment since January. She's been absolutely terrified about how to handle this during certification because she didn't want to accidentally commit fraud or lose her benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring - it sounds like as long as she reports it honestly as Social Security retirement (not disability or SSI), she'll be fine and it won't reduce her weekly UI amount. I'm going to help her with her next certification this weekend and we'll make sure to have her Social Security award letter ready with the exact monthly amount. Thank you all for sharing such detailed and helpful information - this community is amazing for navigating these confusing government systems!

I had this exact same frustration when I first got approved! The direct deposit option is essentially locked until you complete your first certification cycle. Here's what worked for me: 1) Make sure your ID.me verification is 100% complete (you can check this in your account profile), 2) Certify for your first week this Sunday, 3) Wait 3-5 business days for EDD to process that payment, 4) Log back into UI Online and look for "Payment Method" or "Payment Preferences" - it should finally appear after your first payment processes. I know it's backwards that you can't set it up beforehand, but that's just how their system works. The good news is once you get it configured, direct deposit is much faster than waiting for the card! Pro tip: have your bank routing/account numbers and a voided check ready because they'll need to verify your account with micro deposits before fully activating it.

I went through this same exact situation about 6 months ago and it drove me absolutely crazy! The direct deposit option is basically hidden behind a series of requirements that EDD doesn't clearly explain anywhere. From my experience, you need to complete ALL of these steps before the "Payment Method" section will even show up in your UI Online account: 1) Have your claim fully approved (✓ you've got this), 2) Complete ID.me identity verification (double-check this is 100% done), 3) Certify for at least one benefit week, and 4) Have EDD successfully process that first payment. The system literally won't unlock the direct deposit feature until after your first certification goes through their system. I know it's completely backwards - you'd think they'd want you to set this up RIGHT AWAY - but that's just how their antiquated system works. Once you certify this Sunday, wait about 3-5 business days for processing, then check your UI Online account again. The payment preferences section should magically appear! Make sure you have your bank routing number, account number, and a voided check ready because they'll verify your account with small test deposits before fully activating direct deposit. Hang in there - once it's set up, getting payments directly to your bank is SO much better than dealing with those Money Network cards!

I feel your frustration completely. I've been in the same situation for 2 weeks now - my claim got flagged for identity verification and I can't get anyone on the phone to help me submit the required documents. The automated system just loops me back to "call during business hours" even though I'm calling at 10am on a Tuesday. It's like they've designed this system to be as difficult as possible to navigate. Has anyone had success with the identity verification process specifically?

The identity verification issue is so frustrating! I've been stuck in that same loop for over a week now. Every time I call, the automated system tells me to upload documents online, but when I try to upload them through the UI Online portal, it either times out or gives me an error message. Then when I call back for help, they tell me the documents aren't there and to try uploading again. It's like being trapped in a nightmare loop. Has anyone found a way to successfully upload identity verification documents without having to talk to an EDD representative directly?

Reading through this entire thread as someone who's been helping family members navigate EDD issues, I have to say this is one of the most comprehensive and helpful discussions I've seen on this topic! The key takeaway about checking your actual interview notice for specific contact numbers is absolutely crucial - I've seen so many people waste hours on the main 800 number when there were direct lines available. Another thing I'd add is to take notes during your actual interview too, not just during the scheduling process. Write down the interviewer's name, any reference numbers they mention, and a summary of what was discussed. This documentation can be invaluable if you need to follow up later or if there are any discrepancies in your claim processing. It's so encouraging to see how this community comes together to share practical solutions rather than just frustrations. Threads like this genuinely make the difference between people successfully navigating the system and getting lost in bureaucratic chaos!

As someone who works in customer service and deals with government agencies regularly, I want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned yet - timing your calls strategically can make a huge difference! Besides calling right at 8am when they open, I've found that calling during the last hour before they close (usually around 4-5pm) can sometimes be more successful because call volume drops off. Also, avoid calling on Mondays and the day after holidays when everyone else is trying to reach them. Mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically has better success rates. One more tip: if you're put on hold, don't hang up even if it's been an hour! I've seen people give up after 45 minutes only to find out they were next in line. The wait times are brutal but getting disconnected means starting over completely. Great job getting your interview rescheduled @Luca Russo - this thread is going to help so many people!