I just went through this nightmare last week and wanted to share what worked for me since I see lots of great advice here already! After trying all the phone tricks (which do work but took forever), I discovered you can also try texting "HELP" to 22622 from the phone number associated with your Money Network account. It's their SMS support line and sometimes they can help with basic account issues including temporary blocks. The text support won't work for everything, but if your card is just temporarily flagged like mine was, they can often remove simple security holds via text. They'll ask you to verify some info and then send you a confirmation if they're able to unlock it. If not, they'll tell you to call, but at least you'll know for sure what the issue is before spending an hour on hold. Also want to echo what others said about direct deposit - I switched over immediately after this happened and it's been such a relief. No more card drama! The UI Online portal makes it pretty easy to set up, just have your bank routing and account numbers ready.

I just wanted to add another option that helped me when I had this same Money Network card issue a few months back. If you're still having trouble getting through using all the great methods everyone has shared, you can also try calling very early in the morning (like 7:00-7:30 AM Pacific) or late in the evening (after 7:00 PM). I know their official hours are different, but I've actually gotten through to representatives during these "off hours" when the call volume is much lower. Also, one thing I learned the hard way - if your card gets blocked multiple times, they might require you to go through additional verification steps that can only be done over the phone (not through chat or text). So while the live chat and SMS options are great for simple blocks, more complex security holds usually need phone resolution. But definitely try those first since they're faster! Once you get this sorted, I'd also recommend calling Money Network to set up account alerts so you get notified immediately if your card gets flagged again. That way you can address it right away instead of finding out when you're trying to pay for something important. Good luck - this thread has so many helpful tips, I'm sure you'll get it resolved soon!

Claim Under" Review is totally normal at this stage -'that s exactly what mine showed for the first week or so! I remember checking mine obsessively (too like every few hours)lol . The system is just doing all the background verification of your wages, work history, and SDI claim details. One thing that helped my anxiety during the waiting period was keeping busy with job applications and networking. Not only does it help distract from the stress, but'you re building up that job search activity log for when they ask about it during the phone interview. Also, if you'haven t already, make sure you have your Social Security Statement (handy you can get it online at) ssa.gov since they sometimes ask about your wage history during the interview to verify the information.'You re doing everything right though - just hang in there! The financial relief is comingsoon.

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who made this same transition recently! I was on SDI for about 8 months in 2024 after a car accident, then successfully transitioned to UI when I was cleared to work. The process was smoother than I expected once I understood the key points everyone's mentioned here. One thing I'd add is to make sure you're prepared for the "able and available" questions during your phone interview. They'll ask very specific things like "Can you work full-time hours?" "Can you work any shift?" "Are there any physical restrictions?" Since you mentioned being medically cleared with no restrictions, you should be fine, but practice answering these confidently. Also, Emma, since you mentioned your financial situation is getting desperate - once you get approved, your first payment should come within 2-3 weeks after that phone interview (assuming no issues). It's not instant relief, but there is light at the end of the tunnel! Keep doing exactly what you're doing with the job search documentation and staying available for that call. You've got this! 💪

I'm a freelance photographer who went through this exact situation twice last year! Both times I had 4-6 week gigs while on UI, and the process was exactly as everyone described - keep certifying every two weeks and report your earnings honestly. The system handled everything automatically. One additional tip I'd add: if your freelance work involves equipment expenses (like if you need to rent gear), you still report your GROSS earnings before any business expenses when certifying. Don't try to deduct expenses on your certification - that can trigger reviews. Save expense documentation for tax time instead. Also, since you mentioned it's design work, definitely emphasize in your certifications that you're maintaining professional skills in your field. EDD actually views this positively as part of your overall job search strategy. You've got this - the system really is designed to handle temporary work situations smoothly!

This thread has been incredibly reassuring! I'm a UX designer who's been on UI for 2 months and just got offered a 5-week contract. I was literally about to turn it down because I thought it would mess up my claim, but reading everyone's experiences here has completely changed my perspective. The fact that so many people have successfully navigated temporary work while on UI without major issues is really encouraging. I especially appreciate the practical tips about reporting gross earnings before expenses and emphasizing that freelance work keeps you active in your profession. It's amazing how much anxiety gets created by not understanding the process, when it's actually pretty straightforward - just keep certifying biweekly and be honest about your earnings. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their real-world experiences. This is exactly the kind of community knowledge that makes all the difference when you're trying to make these decisions!

I had this exact same issue last year! The trick that finally worked for me was using the EDD website during off-peak hours - try logging in really early in the morning (like 5-6 AM) or late at night (after 10 PM). The system seems to work better when there's less traffic. Also, make sure you're not using any browser extensions that might interfere with the site. I had to disable my ad blocker and password manager to get it to work properly. If you're still stuck after a few more days, another option is to contact your local assembly member's office - they often have staff who can help navigate EDD issues and sometimes get faster responses than calling directly.

I'm dealing with something similar right now! Got my customer account number three days ago and it's still not working. Reading through these responses, it sounds like the processing delay is real even though the letter doesn't mention it anywhere. That's so misleading! I'm going to try Oliver's suggestion about using the site during off-peak hours while I wait for the processing period to finish. Has anyone had success with contacting their assembly member's office? That sounds like it might be worth trying if the phone lines stay jammed. This whole system really needs to be redesigned - it's causing so much unnecessary stress when people are already dealing with job loss.

I'm so sorry you're going through this! I had a similar experience last summer - my check for $743 never arrived and I spent nearly 6 weeks getting it sorted out. The whole process is incredibly frustrating, especially when you're already under financial stress. A few things that helped me during the wait: - I called my bank to see if they had any emergency hardship programs while waiting for government benefits. Some banks will provide small bridge loans or waive overdraft fees in these situations. - My local Salvation Army had an emergency assistance program that helped with utilities while I waited. They moved pretty quickly once I showed them my UI Online account proving the payment was issued but lost. - I also found it helpful to send my landlord a screenshot of my UI Online account showing the payment status along with a brief letter explaining the situation. While they weren't thrilled about the delay, having official documentation seemed to buy me some goodwill. The waiting period before they'll even start processing the replacement is absolutely maddening, but unfortunately it's set in stone. Once you hit that 10 business day mark, be prepared to call multiple times and don't let them brush you off with "wait longer" - you have the right to start the replacement process at that point. Hang in there - the money will eventually come through, but I know that doesn't help with immediate bills. Definitely explore those local assistance programs others have mentioned while you wait!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to EDD headaches! I went through almost the exact same situation about a year ago - check showed as "paid" in my account but never arrived in my mailbox. Here's what I learned from that nightmare: The 10 business day wait is frustrating but absolutely mandatory - they literally cannot process a replacement before then due to state regulations. However, once those 10 days are up, you have options beyond just waiting around. What worked for me was calling EDD at exactly 8:00 AM on business day #10 (they seem to have the shortest hold times right when they open). I had all my info ready - claim number, payment date, exact amount, etc. The rep was able to immediately put in the stop payment and reissue request since I was past the waiting period. In the meantime, definitely reach out to local resources! I called 211 and they connected me with emergency rental assistance that helped bridge the gap. Also, most utility companies will give you extensions if you can show documentation that your government benefits were issued but lost in the mail. The whole process took about 3 weeks total for me, but having those backup support systems in place made it way less stressful. Don't suffer in silence - there are resources out there to help while you wait for EDD to get their act together! You'll get through this! 💪