I've been following this thread closely and wow, the collective knowledge here is amazing! I'm a newcomer to unemployment benefits and just got my Money Network card last week. Reading through all these experiences about phone number mismatches causing lockouts is both eye-opening and terrifying - I had no idea that something as simple as changing carriers could lock you out of your own benefits! I'm bookmarking this entire thread as a troubleshooting guide. That alternate number (1-800-240-8100) and the lost/stolen card trick seem to be the magic solution that Money Network definitely doesn't advertise. It's frustrating that their error messages are so vague, but at least this community has cracked the code on how to actually get help. For anyone still struggling with this issue, it seems like early morning calls (around 8 AM) with all your updated contact info ready for verification is the winning strategy. Thank you to everyone who shared their solutions - you're literally helping people access their basic needs when the official system fails them! 🙌

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm a new member here and just ran into this exact same Money Network nightmare yesterday. My card suddenly stopped working at the grocery store and when I tried to call their customer service, that automated system kept telling me my information wasn't recognized. I was starting to panic thinking my benefits got cut off or something! After reading through all these experiences, I'm pretty confident it's because I switched from iPhone to Android last month and got a new phone number in the process. I never would have connected those dots without this thread. It's absolutely ridiculous that Money Network can't just say "phone number mismatch" instead of that useless generic error message. I'm definitely going to try that alternate number (1-800-240-8100) first thing tomorrow morning and use the lost/stolen card option trick. The success stories here are giving me so much hope! Thank you all for sharing these solutions - this community is incredible and you're literally helping people access their own money when the official system fails. I'll update everyone once I get this sorted out! 🙏

UPDATE: You guys were right! Just checked my UI Online account this morning and I have an award letter in my inbox! They approved my claim without needing the interview. Now I just need to wait for my first certification period. Thanks for all the help and reassurance!

Congratulations Teresa! That's such great news and a huge relief! This is exactly why I always tell people not to panic when EDD cancels interviews - more often than not it means they have what they need to approve your claim. Thanks for coming back to update us with the good news. It really helps other people in similar situations to see these positive outcomes. Now you can focus on getting those certifications done on time!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since it's so similar to yours! I was laid off from my logistics coordinator job in February and just started a part-time position at a local coffee shop last month (about 22 hours/week at $17/hour). The transition to partial benefits was actually much smoother than I expected after reading so many scary stories online. The key things that helped me were: 1) Setting up a simple Google Sheet to track my daily hours and weekly totals, 2) Always reporting hours worked during the certification week regardless of when I get paid, and 3) Being extremely precise with my time tracking (I use my phone's clock app to timestamp my actual start/end times each shift). My weekly benefit amount dropped from $380 to about $95, but combined with my part-time earnings, I'm actually doing better financially than on unemployment alone. Plus, having some structure and income from work has really helped my mental health during this job search process. One specific tip for retail work - make sure you understand your store's policy on breaks and meal periods, since those unpaid times need to be subtracted from your total hours when reporting to EDD. My coffee shop automatically deducts 30 minutes for shifts over 6 hours, so I had to factor that into my calculations. You're asking all the right questions upfront, which puts you way ahead of where I was when I started! The EDD system really does work when you're accurate and consistent with reporting.

Welcome to navigating partial unemployment benefits! I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when I was laid off from my full-time administrative job and started part-time work at a local community center. Here's what I wish someone had told me from day one: create a dedicated folder (physical or digital) where you keep EVERYTHING related to your unemployment claim and part-time work. This should include screenshots of every certification you submit, copies of your work schedules, paystubs, and any correspondence from EDD. I learned this the hard way when EDD requested documentation about a specific week and I had to scramble to find everything. Also, since you're starting in retail, be prepared for the possibility that your hours might vary week to week, especially during busy seasons or holidays. I found it helpful to always estimate conservatively when calculating my expected earnings and then report the actual amounts during certification. This way I never accidentally under-reported income. One last thing - don't let the horror stories discourage you too much. Yes, EDD can be challenging to deal with, but the vast majority of people who are careful with their reporting don't run into major issues. The fact that you're asking these questions before you start shows you're already on the right track. The partial benefits system really is designed to encourage people to take part-time work while job searching, so you're using it exactly as intended. Good luck with your new position!

I'm sorry you're going through this tough situation. As others have mentioned, without W-2 wages in your base period, you likely won't qualify for regular UI benefits. However, there are a few things worth double-checking: 1. Make sure you understand exactly what your base period would be - it's typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing 2. Even if you had minimal W-2 income mixed in with your consulting work, it might be worth applying to see if you meet the minimum requirements If UI isn't an option, definitely explore the other safety net programs mentioned here. Also consider reaching out to local nonprofit organizations and churches - many have emergency assistance programs for people in financial crisis. Some utilities and rent assistance programs are also available depending on your county. Hang in there - this gap in coverage for self-employed workers is a real problem that affects many people. You're not alone in this struggle.

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this financial stress. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like you're getting good advice about the W-2 wage requirement for regular UI benefits. One thing I wanted to add that might help immediately - have you looked into your local food banks and community assistance programs? Many don't have strict eligibility requirements and can help with groceries while you're figuring out your next steps. The 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with emergency assistance in your area. Also, if you do decide to take on any temporary or part-time W-2 work to get back into the system, even a few months could potentially help you qualify for benefits later if needed. It's frustrating that the system doesn't recognize the reality of gig work, but at least now you know exactly where you stand and can plan accordingly. Wishing you the best - this community seems really supportive and knowledgeable about navigating these challenges.

Another option that worked for me when I couldn't get through by phone - try using the "Ask EDD" feature on their website. I know it sounds like it would just be automated responses, but I actually got a real person to respond within 3 business days when I explained my situation there. I was dealing with a similar "pending medical certification" issue after my shoulder surgery, and the EDD rep who responded via the online system was able to see exactly what was missing from my file and told me what needed to be resubmitted. It's not as fast as getting someone on the phone, but it's way less frustrating than calling 50 times a day! Just make sure to be really specific about your claim details and what you're seeing in your online account when you submit the inquiry.

Just wanted to share another resource that might help - if you're really stuck and can't get through by phone or online, you can also try contacting your local state assembly member's office. I know someone mentioned this earlier, but I wanted to emphasize how effective it can be. I had a similar issue with my disability claim getting stuck in "pending" status for months, and within 48 hours of my assembly member's office contacting EDD on my behalf, I had a case worker assigned who called me directly. They have special contacts at EDD that bypass the regular phone system completely. You can find your assembly member on the CA legislature website just by entering your zip code. It shouldn't have to come to this, but sometimes political pressure is the only thing that gets EDD to actually do their job!