So glad you got this resolved! I've been following your situation since I'm dealing with something similar myself. My card got frozen yesterday after I made a large withdrawal for my car payment. Reading through all the advice here, I'm going to try calling right at 8am tomorrow and specifically mention the "financial hardship exemption" if needed. It's ridiculous that their system flags normal usage patterns as suspicious activity. Thanks for updating us with the resolution - gives me hope that I can get mine sorted out quickly too!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm a newcomer here but had to chime in because I went through this exact same nightmare about 6 months ago. My Money Network card got frozen right before I needed to pay for my kid's daycare, and I was panicking just like you were, Eva. What really worked for me was calling at exactly 8:00 AM (set an alarm!) and having ALL my information ready - card number, SSN, address, the works. Also, I found that saying "I need to speak to a supervisor about a financial hardship situation" sometimes gets you transferred faster than going through the regular menu options. One thing I learned the hard way: if you need to make a large withdrawal in the future, try to do it all from ONE ATM if possible, or at least call them ahead of time to let them know you'll be accessing your funds at multiple locations. Their fraud detection system is apparently very sensitive to what they consider "unusual patterns." Really glad you got it sorted out and switched to direct deposit! These Money Network issues seem to be getting worse lately.

Been following this thread closely as I'm in the same nightmare situation! Just wanted to share what finally worked for me after 3 weeks of failed attempts. I combined several of the strategies mentioned here: called the main line at 8:01am sharp on a Wednesday, selected "file new claim" even though I was calling about existing issues, and kept my SSN and account number ready. Got through in about 90 minutes which felt like a miracle! The rep was able to resolve my pending certification issue that had been stuck for over a month. My advice is to literally try EVERYTHING people have suggested here - different times, different menu options, even the Spanish line transfer trick if you can. Don't give up, there IS a way through this broken system, it just takes persistence and trying multiple approaches.

Just wanted to add my experience to this thread since I see so many people struggling with the same issue. I finally got through last week after 18 days of trying every trick in the book! What worked for me was calling the disability line (1-800-480-3287) and explaining that I needed to be transferred to unemployment benefits. The wait was only about 45 minutes compared to the 4+ hours I was spending on the main line. The rep told me that since both departments handle similar types of claims, they can often transfer you directly without having to start over in the queue. She was able to fix my payment delay issue right on the spot. I know it sounds like a weird workaround but honestly at this point we have to get creative with this broken system. Hope this helps someone else get the help they need!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm currently facing a very similar situation where my company is relocating our entire division to Florida in April 2025. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially @Dmitri Volkov's journey from panic to getting that golden layoff classification, has been incredibly reassuring. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here and approach our HR department about getting written confirmation of how they'll handle employees who can't relocate. The documentation tips from everyone are spot on too - I've already started a folder with the initial relocation announcement. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: if your company uses any employee communication platforms (like Slack, Teams, etc.), make sure to save screenshots of any relocation-related announcements or discussions there too. Sometimes informal communications can be just as valuable as formal documentation. @Ava Martinez - your point about this potentially leading to better opportunities is so important to remember. It's easy to get caught up in the stress and forget that this could actually be a chance for career growth. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for navigating these complex situations!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation - my company announced they're moving our operations to Nevada in June 2025, and like many others here, I can't relocate due to family obligations and the inadequate relocation package they offered. Reading through @Dmitri Volkov's experience and seeing how it evolved from panic to getting that official layoff classification gives me so much hope. I'm definitely going to reach out to HR next week to see if they'll provide similar written confirmation about processing separations as layoffs for employees who can't relocate. The documentation advice from everyone has been incredibly helpful too. I've been saving everything but hadn't thought about some of the suggestions like keeping a timeline with dates or screenshotting informal communications. @Fatima Al-Qasimi's point about Slack/Teams messages is brilliant - we've had several informal updates there that I should definitely preserve. It's amazing how much clarity this community provides compared to trying to navigate EDD's confusing official resources. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - it makes such a difference to hear from people who've actually been through this process successfully!

Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! As someone who just went through a similar EDD process, I wanted to add that your situation sounds very winnable. The key distinction that worked in my favor (and should work in yours) is that you were performing legitimate work duties, just in the wrong location without proper notification. When I had my phone interview, the EDD representative specifically asked whether I was "engaged in work-related activities" during the incident that led to my termination. Being able to say "yes, I was helping another department meet their production goals" made all the difference. The fact that you have a history of cross-departmental assistance and 2.5 years of clean employment really strengthens your case. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - if you end up needing to appeal an initial denial, don't let the process intimidate you. The appeal hearing is your chance to tell your side of the story to an administrative law judge who understands the legal definition of misconduct. They're typically more thorough in their analysis than the initial reviewer. Your employer will need to prove that your actions constituted "substantial and willful disregard" of their interests, which is a high bar when you were actually working. A simple communication oversight about location doesn't meet that standard. Stay confident and stick to the facts - you've got this!

I wanted to chime in as someone who works in employment law - your situation is actually a textbook example of what EDD would NOT consider misconduct. The legal standard requires deliberate wrongdoing that substantially harms the employer's interests. What you've described is a procedural error during the course of performing legitimate work duties. A few key points that work strongly in your favor: 1. You were actively working and helping the company achieve its goals 2. You have a documented history of cross-departmental assistance 3. No prior disciplinary actions or warnings about this type of issue 4. The "violation" was failing to notify, not refusing to work or being insubordinate EDD regularly overturns employer misconduct claims in cases like yours. The fact that your employer fired you doesn't automatically mean EDD will find misconduct - they apply a much more rigorous legal standard. I've seen many cases where employers claim "policy violation = misconduct" but EDD correctly distinguishes between terminable offenses and actual legal misconduct. File your claim with confidence, be factual in your responses, and don't be discouraged if there's an initial contest. Your case has all the elements that typically result in benefit approval. The documentation you're gathering will serve you well if there's a phone interview.

@Sean Fitzgerald I went through this exact same thing a few months ago! The conditional payment is actually a good sign - it means they're continuing to pay you while they review whatever flagged your account. In my case, it was because I had some gaps in my work search log that looked suspicious to their system. The key is to log into your UI Online account IMMEDIATELY and check for any pending "requests for information" or determination notices. They usually give you a specific list of what they need (could be pay stubs, work search records, identity verification, etc.). Don't wait - respond within the timeframe they give you or it could delay everything even more. Also, keep certifying for benefits even during the review period! Most of these resolve in the claimant's favor as long as you provide what they're asking for. Feel free to DM me if you need help navigating the online portal - I know how confusing it can be 🙏

Hey @Sean Fitzgerald! I just went through this same situation about 6 weeks ago. The conditional payment thing is actually better than getting no payment at all - it means they're investigating something but still paying you while they figure it out. In my case, it was triggered because I had started some freelance work and they needed to verify it wouldn't affect my eligibility. Here's what worked for me: 1) Check your UI Online inbox obsessively - they sometimes send follow-up requests that are easy to miss 2) If you need to upload docs, do it during off-peak hours (early morning/late night) because their system crashes less 3) Don't stress too much - most of these reviews end up fine if you're legitimately eligible. The whole thing took about 4 weeks to resolve for me. Keep us posted on how it goes! 🤞