This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - worked in California for most of my base period but had a 6-month contract job in Oregon that I didn't initially report when I filed my UI claim. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like I should definitely call EDD to request a Combined Wage Claim to include those Oregon wages. One question I have that I haven't seen addressed yet: does anyone know if there are any situations where including out-of-state wages might actually hurt your claim or delay it beyond the typical 2-4 weeks? I'm just wondering if there are any downsides to be aware of before I call. My Oregon wages were decent but not huge, so I want to make sure the potential benefit increase is worth the processing delay. Has anyone run into any complications with the CWC process?

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else in a similar boat - I worked in both California and Texas during my base period and initially didn't report my Texas wages when I filed. After reading through this thread, I called EDD last week to request a Combined Wage Claim. The process was pretty straightforward once I got through to a rep (took about an hour of calling at 8 AM). They explained that Texas has actually been one of the faster states to respond with wage information - usually within 10-14 days. The rep also mentioned that I should receive an automated notification through my EDD online account once they receive my Texas wage data, and then a new award letter within a few days after that. One tip that helped me: when you call, have your Social Security number, claim number, and employment dates for ALL your jobs during the base period ready. The rep was able to process everything much faster when I had all that information at hand. Still waiting for my updated award letter, but feeling optimistic about the potential increase!

I've been through a similar situation and wanted to share some additional insights that might help. Beyond all the excellent documentation advice here, make sure you're prepared to explain your timeline clearly - when you received the rent increase notice, how much time you had to respond, and what steps you took during that period. EDD often asks about the timeline to verify that you had limited options and acted reasonably. Also, since you mentioned both you and your spouse work different jobs, make sure you coordinate your stories if EDD interviews you separately - not to be dishonest, but to ensure you're both presenting the same factual timeline and circumstances. Another thing that helped in my case was having a backup plan ready to discuss - like what you'll do if the Bakersfield job market doesn't work out, or if you'd be willing to relocate again for employment. It shows EDD you're serious about working and not just looking for benefits. Your case really does sound strong with the distance and financial necessity factors. The fact that you're planning this carefully and seeking advice shows you're approaching it the right way!

I've been reading through this entire thread and wow, what an incredibly helpful discussion! As someone who's currently facing rising rent costs in my area, I'm taking notes on all this advice even though I'm not quite at the point of needing to relocate yet. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from a friend's experience - if either of you has any documented health issues that would make a 146+ mile daily commute particularly difficult (back problems from long drives, etc.), that can be additional supporting evidence for why commuting isn't feasible. Obviously only mention this if it's genuinely applicable to your situation. Also, I noticed someone mentioned the Claimyr service earlier. While that might be helpful for getting through to EDD, just be aware that some people have reported mixed experiences with third-party services, so do your research first. Sometimes persistence with the regular EDD line (especially using that 8 AM tip) can work just as well and won't cost you anything. Your preparation level based on all these responses is really impressive. It sounds like you're documenting everything properly and thinking through all the angles. Best of luck with your move and the unemployment application process! This thread has been incredibly educational for all of us dealing with California's housing crisis.

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who went through this exact same frustrating experience! I also requested the Money Network card but got a paper check instead for my first payment. What really helped me was finding out that some banks will actually cash EDD checks for free if you're polite and explain your situation - I went to a local Wells Fargo branch and they waived their usual non-customer fee when I told them I was between jobs and really needed access to my unemployment benefits. It might be worth trying a few different bank branches before paying fees at Walmart or check cashing places. Also, once you get your Money Network card, you can avoid most ATM fees by using the Bank of America ATMs or any MoneyPass network ATM (there's a locator on their website). The whole system is definitely confusing but at least you're not alone in dealing with it!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just got my first EDD check yesterday when I specifically chose the debit card option too. It's so frustrating that they don't explain this anywhere - I spent hours on their website trying to figure out if I did something wrong. Based on what everyone's saying here, sounds like Walmart is definitely the way to go for cashing it. I'm planning to head there first thing tomorrow morning with my ID and the $8 fee ready. Really helpful to know that the Money Network card will still come and this check thing is just a one-time deal. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is way more informative than anything on the official EDD website!

I just wanted to add one more encouraging data point - I work for a nonprofit that helps people navigate unemployment benefits, and attendance-related terminations are honestly one of the more straightforward cases we see, especially when there are legitimate transportation barriers involved. The fact that your daughter is 23 and was using public transit actually works strongly in her favor. California EDD has specific guidelines that consider whether an employee had "reasonable alternatives" to the behavior that led to termination. For a young person relying on public transportation, being occasionally late due to bus delays doesn't typically meet the threshold for "willful misconduct" - especially if she was otherwise a good employee. A few additional tips based on what we've seen work well: - When she describes the transportation issues, be specific about which bus routes were problematic and mention that she didn't have backup transportation options - For the sick days, emphasize that she was genuinely ill, even if she didn't follow the exact call-in procedure - If she gets an interview, mention that she learned from the experience and has since looked into more reliable transportation options for future jobs The combination of HR encouraging her to apply, legitimate reasons for the attendance issues, and her age/circumstances really does create a strong case. We've seen very similar situations result in approval, often without even needing to go through the appeal process. She should definitely apply today - and remember that even if there's an initial delay or request for more information, that's completely normal and doesn't mean denial. Stay positive!

I'm really glad I found this thread because my younger sister went through almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago. She was 22, working her first retail job, and got terminated for attendance issues - mostly being late because of unreliable rideshare and a few missed shifts when she had the flu but didn't follow their strict call-in policy perfectly. Like your daughter, she was really worried about applying because the termination paperwork said "misconduct," but her manager actually told her the same thing - to file for unemployment right away. She was approved after about 3 weeks and an eligibility interview where she explained the transportation challenges and illness. The interviewer specifically asked whether she had tried to address the transportation issues (like leaving earlier, finding alternative routes, etc.) and my sister was honest that as a young person without a car, her options were pretty limited. They seemed to really understand that perspective. What helped her case was that she had actually texted her supervisor a couple times when she knew she was going to be late due to the bus running behind, which showed she wasn't just blowing off work. If your daughter has any similar communication showing she tried to notify them when possible, that could be helpful evidence. The key thing the EDD interviewer emphasized was whether the behavior showed "willful disregard" for the job - and transportation problems for someone without reliable alternatives usually don't meet that standard. Your daughter should definitely apply today and be completely honest about her situation. The fact that HR encouraged it is genuinely a great sign!

I've been dealing with Money Network issues on and off for months now and wanted to share a few additional tips that have helped me. First, if you're calling and get disconnected after waiting on hold, try calling back immediately - sometimes you'll get put in a priority queue for callbacks. Also, I've found that calling on weekdays between 10-11 AM can sometimes be less busy than the 8 AM rush everyone talks about. One thing that really helped me was setting up account alerts through their website. You can get text notifications when payments are loaded, which helps you know immediately if there's a delay. And if you do get through to someone, ask them to email you a summary of your call and any reference numbers - I've had reps promise to fix things and then nothing happens, so having written confirmation helps when you have to call back. For anyone still struggling, don't give up! I know it's incredibly stressful when you need access to your funds, but the persistence really does pay off. This thread has been amazing for sharing real solutions that actually work.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with Money Network issues for weeks now and was starting to think I was the only one having these problems. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been incredibly helpful - it's clear that their customer service system is deliberately designed to be difficult to navigate. One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet is to check your state's Department of Consumer Affairs or similar agency. In some states, they have specific complaint processes for prepaid card issues that can get escalated faster than going through federal agencies. I filed a complaint with my state's consumer protection office and got a response from Money Network within 48 hours after weeks of trying to reach them through normal channels. Also, if you're having recurring issues, consider asking EDD about switching to direct deposit entirely. I know some people have mentioned this, but it really is worth pursuing - once you're set up with direct deposit, you completely bypass the Money Network card system and get your payments straight to your bank account. The setup process can take a few weeks, but it's so much more reliable long-term. Thanks to everyone who shared their strategies - this community support makes such a difference when dealing with these frustrating systems!