I'm having the exact same issue and it's driving me insane! Been trying for 3 days now and the verification codes just won't come through no matter what I try. I've been reading through all these suggestions and they're super helpful - definitely going to try the website version instead of the app and check my spam folder. One thing that's really bothering me is how unreliable this whole system is when we depend on it for our basic needs. Like, this is our unemployment money and we shouldn't have to become tech experts just to access our own funds! The old Bank of America system had its issues but at least it was more consistent. Going to try calling at 7 AM tomorrow and see if I can get through to someone who can help. In the meantime, I'm also going to look into switching to direct deposit like so many people recommended - seems like that's the best long-term solution to avoid these Money Network headaches altogether. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions. It really helps to know I'm not the only one dealing with this mess!

I'm going through this exact same verification code nightmare right now! Been locked out for over 48 hours and it's so stressful when you just need to check if your payment went through. Reading through all these solutions has been incredibly helpful though. I had no idea about some of these workarounds like using the website instead of the app, checking spam folders, or that you can text "BAL" to 22622 for a quick balance check. The tip about calling right at 7 AM when they open seems to be the most consistent advice I'm seeing. What's really frustrating is how we have to become tech support experts just to access our own unemployment funds when we're already dealing with financial stress. The Money Network system definitely feels less reliable than the old Bank of America setup. I'm going to try the website login and early morning call approach, but I think I'm also going to start the process of switching to direct deposit like so many people have recommended. It sounds like that's the best long-term solution to avoid these recurring app issues altogether. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this community support makes dealing with these technical problems so much less stressful when you know you're not alone!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a very similar boat - lost my restaurant management job 5 weeks ago and just got offered a part-time barista position at a small coffee shop (about 15-18 hours/week at $17/hour). I was so worried about messing up my unemployment benefits that I almost turned it down, but reading everyone's success stories here has given me the confidence to accept it. The advice about keeping meticulous records really resonates - I'm going to start using a time-tracking app right away and take photos of my schedule like several people suggested. It's clear that being organized and 100% honest with reporting is what makes this work smoothly. One thing that really stood out to me is how many people mentioned the networking benefits of part-time work. I hadn't considered that working in a coffee shop could lead to connections for full-time opportunities, but it makes total sense - you meet so many different professionals throughout the day. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences! This community has been a lifesaver for navigating this confusing system. I'm going to accept the barista job and start building that documentation system everyone recommends. Here's to making more money combined than on unemployment alone while staying active in the workforce!

I've been working part-time while on unemployment for about 8 months now and wanted to share some insights that might help! I started at a local retail store doing 18-20 hours/week after losing my office job, and it's honestly been one of the best decisions I made during this whole unemployment journey. A few things I learned that haven't been mentioned yet: - EDD actually has a "work search waiver" in some cases if you're working sufficient part-time hours AND actively looking for full-time work in your field. Worth asking about during any phone calls with reps. - Some employers are more flexible about scheduling around interviews than others - this is definitely something to discuss early on, especially in customer service roles like cafes where they understand people might be transitioning between jobs. - Keep a simple spreadsheet with three columns: Date, Hours Worked, Gross Pay. Makes certification SO much easier when you have everything in one place. The financial boost is real - I'm making about $180 more per week combined than I was on full unemployment, which has been crucial for covering increased costs of everything lately. Plus having recent work references has definitely helped in my full-time job interviews. Take that cafe job! You're going to do great, and this community will be here if you run into any questions along the way. The hardest part is just getting started - once you establish the routine, it becomes second nature.

I'm a construction worker who went through this same process about 6 months ago after being laid off from a bridge repair project. Just wanted to add my voice to all the reassuring responses you've gotten - this questionnaire is absolutely routine for our industry! The key thing that helped me was understanding that EDD sees construction layoffs due to project completion literally every single day. When I called to ask about the timing (I was also confused since I'd been approved and certifying for weeks), the rep told me it's actually more unusual for construction claims NOT to get these questionnaires. Your situation sounds textbook - laid off after 3 years when the project ended, already approved and certifying successfully. That termination letter stating "end of project" is golden. When I filled mine out, I made sure to be really clear about the temporary nature of construction work and that the layoff was purely due to lack of available projects. One small tip: if your questionnaire asks about "availability for work," make sure to emphasize that you're actively seeking new construction projects/positions. Sometimes they want to confirm you're not just waiting for your old job to call you back. The whole thing was way less scary than I built it up to be. Filled it out, sent it back with tracking, and never had another issue. Since you've got legitimate documentation and a clear-cut layoff situation, you're going to be absolutely fine. Construction workers stick together - you've got this!

As someone who's been in the construction industry for over a decade and has dealt with multiple unemployment claims, I can tell you that what you're experiencing is completely normal. These eligibility questionnaires are basically EDD's standard operating procedure for verifying construction layoffs, especially in the first few months of a claim. The timing you mentioned - getting it after 4 weeks of successful certifications - is actually perfect timing from EDD's perspective. They've processed your initial claim, started your benefits, and now they're doing their routine verification to make sure everything matches up between your account and what your employer reported. Here's what I always tell fellow construction workers going through this: 1. Your "end of project" termination letter is exactly what EDD wants to see - keep a copy for your records and include one with the questionnaire 2. Be specific about the project details (name, location, dates) if you have them 3. Make it clear this was a legitimate layoff due to lack of work, not a quit or termination for cause 4. Don't overthink the questions - they're designed to be straightforward Construction project layoffs are one of the most common unemployment scenarios EDD handles. The fact that you worked for the same company for 3 years before being laid off actually strengthens your case - it shows stability and that this wasn't a pattern of job-hopping. Fill it out thoroughly, send it back quickly with tracking, and try not to stress. You've already done the hard part by getting approved. This is just paperwork to confirm what they already know. You've got this!

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!

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!

This thread is absolutely amazing! I just got my award letter today showing $0 wages and was having a complete meltdown until I found this discussion. I worked at a grocery store for 18 months before getting laid off last month, and seeing those zeros made me think I'd never get any benefits. Emma's success story is so encouraging - the fact that it was just a simple SSN error that got fixed in one phone call gives me hope! I did my ID.me verification about 4 days ago, so based on everyone's timelines here, I might still be in that window where it could resolve automatically. But honestly, after reading how much faster calling seems to work, I think I'll be proactive and try calling EDD in a couple days if I don't hear anything. The advice about continuing to certify even with a $0 award is gold - I was literally about to skip my certification this week thinking it was pointless! And all the tips about asking for a tier 2 specialist and potential employer reporting errors are so helpful. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences here. This thread has turned what felt like the end of the world into something that actually has hope and clear solutions. I'll definitely update once I get mine resolved!