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i heard theres a new program for restaurant workers who lost jobs bc of minimum wage increases but my cousin applied and never got approved so maybe its not real
Just wanted to add that while the COVID programs are definitely gone, there are still some other resources that might help supplement your unemployment benefits. Look into CalFresh (food stamps) and your local food banks - many don't have strict income requirements right now. Also check if your county has emergency rental assistance programs. I know LA County and some others still have funds available for people who recently became unemployed. It won't replace those pandemic benefit amounts, but every little bit helps when you're trying to cover $2,100 rent on regular UI. Hang in there!
UPDATE: My card arrived today! So it took exactly 6 business days from when my payment status changed to "paid". Just wanted to update in case anyone finds this thread later with the same question. The envelope is very plain and easy to miss, so check your mail carefully!
Congrats on getting your card so quickly! Just a heads up for anyone else reading this - when you do get your Money Network card, be really careful about the fees. They charge for a lot of things like ATM withdrawals at non-network ATMs, balance inquiries, etc. I'd recommend transferring your funds to your regular bank account ASAP to avoid those fees. You can do free transfers through the Money Network website or app. Also keep the card though because future payments will keep going to it!
I'm going through this exact same process right now and honestly the waiting is the worst part! I completed my ID.me verification on Wednesday (so 3 business days ago) and my claim is still showing pending. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really comforting though - sounds like 7-10 business days is pretty standard. What's been helping me manage the anxiety is making a little checklist of all the things people mentioned: ✓ completed ID verification, ✓ set up direct deposit, ✓ continuing to certify every two weeks, ✓ taking screenshots of my account status. Having that visual reminder that I'm doing everything right helps a lot. I'm planning to wait until next Thursday (that'll be day 10 for me) and if nothing changes by then, I'll try calling first thing Friday morning. The stories about backend flags that only reps can see are making me think it's worth the effort to get through to someone if it goes past the 10-day mark. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines - it really helps to know what to expect! I'll update this thread when my status changes too.
That checklist approach is brilliant! I'm actually going to steal that idea - it really does help to have a visual reminder that you're doing everything correctly while you wait. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part of this whole process. I'm on day 5 since my ID verification and seeing everyone's different timelines here has been so reassuring. It sounds like you have a solid plan waiting until day 10 before calling. I think I'm going to do something similar - wait until day 10 and then try the early morning calling strategy that Destiny mentioned. Thanks for sharing your approach and definitely keep us updated when your status changes!
I went through this exact process about 6 weeks ago and want to share what worked for me. After completing ID.me verification, my claim stayed pending for 9 business days before switching to paid. Here's what I learned: The most important thing is to keep certifying every two weeks even while pending - I almost made the mistake of skipping a certification thinking I should wait, but thankfully read advice here to keep going. When mine hit day 12 with no change, I used the early morning calling strategy (called right at 8am when they open) and got through on my third try. The rep found that my employer had submitted conflicting information that created a flag requiring manual review. She cleared it immediately and my payments processed within 48 hours. My timeline breakdown: ID.me verification completed → 9 business days later status changed to paid → direct deposit hit my account 2 days after that. So about 2 weeks total from verification to money in bank. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're stressed about bills, but based on everything I've seen, most people get resolved within that 7-10 business day window. Just make sure you have direct deposit set up and keep certifying on schedule!
Dont forget that when you file taxes next year, the EDD can cross reference with IRS and see if you had income you didnt report while on unemployment. Better safe than sorry!
I went through something similar last year and ended up calling EDD to get clarity. The rep I spoke with explained it this way: if you're just moving money from one account to another (like withdrawing cash from savings or brokerage), that's not income. But if you made money on investments (capital gains), that IS income and should be reported. Since you mentioned you had $240 in gains, I'd definitely report that amount. It's better to be transparent than risk an audit later. The EDD system can be confusing, but they're really looking for any NEW money you earned, not money you're just moving around between your own accounts.
This is really helpful! I've been dealing with a similar situation and the distinction between "moving money around" vs "new income" makes so much sense. Did the EDD rep mention anything about how they define capital gains for unemployment purposes? Like, is it just short-term gains or both short and long-term? I'm worried about getting different answers from different reps when I call.
Amina Diallo
I had the exact same thing happen to me about 6 months ago! I accidentally used my previous zip code when I moved and didn't update it in time for my certification. What I learned is that it's really important to contact them ASAP like others mentioned. In my case, I called the EDD phone line (which took forever to get through) and explained the situation. The representative was actually pretty understanding and said these kinds of mistakes happen all the time. They put a note on my account and had me email a copy of a utility bill showing my correct address. The whole process delayed my payment by about 10 days, but I did get everything I was owed. The sooner you reach out, the better - don't wait for them to contact you about the discrepancy!
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Isabella Silva
•@Amina Diallo this is really helpful to know! I m'in a similar situation right now and was worried about how long it might take to resolve. When you say it took forever "to" get through on the phone, do you have any tips for the best times to call? I ve'been trying for days but keep getting the busy signal or getting disconnected. Also, did you have to submit any other documents besides the utility bill, or was that sufficient for them to verify your address? I want to make sure I have everything ready when I finally do get through to someone.
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Eve Freeman
Don't panic! I made this exact mistake about 3 months ago when I accidentally used my old zip code from before I moved. Here's what happened and what you should do: First, try logging back into your UI Online account to see if you can spot any error messages or if there's an option to correct the submission. Sometimes the system will flag it immediately. If not, definitely call EDD right away - I know the phone lines are terrible, but it's worth the wait. When I called, they told me that zip code errors are super common and usually just trigger a manual review rather than an outright rejection. In my case, they had me email a recent utility bill or bank statement showing my correct address, and they processed my payment about a week later than normal. The important thing is to be proactive about it - they appreciate when people call to report their own mistakes rather than trying to hide them. Keep trying to get through on the phone and have your confirmation number from the ready when you do!
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