I've been in your exact situation @Aiden Chen! Waited 10 days for a callback that never came, then tried again and got one within 3 days. The system is totally unpredictable. Here's what I learned: definitely try the 8:01 AM Tuesday calling strategy everyone's mentioning - it actually worked for me on the second try. Also, I set up a Google Voice number just for EDD calls so I wouldn't miss anything, and made sure to answer every unknown number for about 2 weeks. When they finally did call me back, the rep was super helpful and resolved my payment issue in one call. The assembly member route is solid backup too - my friend got results that way when calling failed. Don't give up! The waiting sucks but most people here eventually got through one way or another. Keep your documents ready and stay persistent! 💪

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been waiting for a callback for 6 days and honestly starting to lose my mind with the uncertainty. After reading everyone's experiences here, it's clear the callback system is basically a gamble - some people get lucky within days, others wait weeks or months with nothing. I'm definitely going to try that 8:01 AM Tuesday calling strategy that @Jean Claude and @Amaya Watson mentioned - seems like multiple people have had success with that specific timing. Also planning to look up my assembly member today as a backup plan since @Zane Hernandez had such good results that way. One thing I'm wondering - for those who got callbacks, did EDD leave a voicemail if you missed the call? Or do they just try once and move on? I'm paranoid about missing it and having to start the whole process over again. The stress of waiting is honestly affecting my sleep and mental health. It's insane that we have to jump through all these hoops just to access our own benefits. But this thread gives me hope that persistence eventually pays off. Thanks everyone for sharing your strategies and experiences - knowing we're not alone in this makes it slightly more bearable! 🙏

This thread is absolutely amazing - wish I had found it 3 weeks ago when I was going through my own Money Network nightmare! My card was frozen for 11 days with $2,180 stuck in there and I wasted SO much time calling Money Network customer service over and over. They kept giving me the same "security review in progress" runaround while my credit card payments were bouncing. What finally worked was exactly what everyone here recommends - getting EDD directly involved. I used a different service to bypass the phone queues but the approach was identical: told the EDD rep I needed help with a Money Network security hold preventing access to my benefits, emphasized my financial hardship with specific bill due dates, and they submitted an emergency release request that got my funds unlocked in 2 days. The most frustrating part is that EDD clearly has the power to resolve these issues quickly, but most people don't know to contact them directly. Money Network customer service is basically just there to waste your time and hope you give up on your benefits. For anyone currently dealing with this - definitely follow the proven playbook everyone has shared here. Skip Money Network entirely, get an EDD Tier 2 specialist involved, and switch to direct deposit the second you get access again. This thread should be required reading for anyone getting unemployment benefits in California!

This thread is an absolute lifesaver! I'm currently on day 5 of my Money Network card being frozen with $1,750 stuck in there, and I was going insane calling their customer service every day getting the same scripted "security review" responses. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening - it's clear that Money Network customer service is completely useless for resolving these security holds. The fact that EDD can resolve these issues in 24-48 hours while Money Network drags people through weeks of phone queue hell really shows how broken this system is. I had no idea EDD could intervene directly with payment card security holds! I'm definitely going to use the Claimyr service tomorrow morning and follow the exact playbook everyone has shared: ask specifically for help with "Money Network payment card security hold preventing access to unemployment benefits," have all my info ready (SSN, claim number, exact frozen amount), and emphasize the financial hardship with specific bill due dates. Thank you to everyone who took the time to document what actually works - this community support is incredible when you're dealing with these bureaucratic nightmares. Will definitely update once I get this resolved and immediately switch to direct deposit to avoid this broken Money Network system entirely. This thread should seriously be pinned as a resource for anyone dealing with EDD payment issues!

alguien sabe si puedo cambiar mi dirección si me mudé a otro estado? o tengo que cerrar mi reclamo en california y abrir uno nuevo aca?

También puedes intentar usar el portal en línea UI Online del EDD. A veces es más fácil actualizar tu información personal ahí sin tener que esperar en el teléfono por horas. Solo ve a "Perfil" y busca la opción para cambiar dirección. Si no te deja hacerlo en línea, entonces sí tendrás que llamar. Pero definitivamente vale la pena intentarlo primero - me ahorró mucho tiempo cuando me mudé el año pasado.

I went through this exact situation last year! My EDD card got lost in the mail and I never even saw it. I called Money Network at 1-866-692-9374 and they were actually really helpful - way better than trying to reach EDD directly. They sent me a replacement card for free (first replacement is always free) and all my benefits were still there waiting for me. The whole process took about 10 days from when I called to when I got the new card. Just make sure your son has his SSN and can answer some identity verification questions when he calls. The money definitely doesn't disappear just because the original card wasn't activated!

I work for a nonprofit that helps people navigate EDD issues, and this is actually a pretty common problem! The good news is your son's benefits are definitely still safe. Here's what I recommend: Call Money Network at 1-866-692-9374 (they're open 24/7) and report the card as lost/never received. They'll ask for his SSN and some verification info. The replacement is free and takes 7-10 business days. Pro tip: Once he gets the new card, I'd strongly suggest switching to direct deposit immediately through his EDD online account or by calling Money Network. The cards have fees for ATM withdrawals and other transactions that can really add up. Direct deposit is free and much more secure. Also make sure he's been keeping up with his biweekly certifications - that's the most important part for keeping his claim active!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this situation - having your hours cut from 40 to 15 per week is such a huge reduction and I can only imagine how stressful this must be for you financially. But I wanted to jump in and reassure you that you absolutely should apply for partial unemployment benefits! I went through something similar about 8 months ago when my employer cut my hours from 35 to 20 per week due to "budget constraints." The process was actually much more straightforward than I expected, and the partial benefits really helped me stay afloat while I searched for additional work. A few key things I learned: - Apply immediately online - don't wait until after your hours are actually reduced. You can apply as soon as you have the official effective date. - Be very clear when applying that your hours were "reduced due to lack of work" or business restructuring - Keep detailed records of your old vs. new schedule, and any written communication about the reduction - Set up direct deposit right away if approved - it's much faster than waiting for the EDD debit card With your hourly rate and the significant reduction you're facing, you should definitely qualify for meaningful partial benefits. The first payment might take a few weeks to process, but after that it should be pretty regular every two weeks. This is exactly what the partial unemployment system is designed for - you've been paying into it through your taxes, so don't hesitate to use it when you need it. Good luck with your application!

I'm really sorry you're going through this stress with your hours being cut so dramatically! But I have some encouraging news for you - you absolutely qualify for partial unemployment benefits in California, and at your income level, you should receive meaningful assistance. I went through almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago when my hours dropped from 40 to 16 per week. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: **Apply immediately** - Don't wait for your first reduced paycheck. You can apply as soon as you know the effective date of the reduction. I made the mistake of waiting and lost out on 2 weeks of benefits. **Use the right language** - When you apply, clearly state your hours were "reduced due to lack of work" or business restructuring. This helps ensure proper processing. **Quick math for your situation** - At $25/hour going from 40 to 15 hours, you're dropping from $1000/week to $375/week gross. Based on your earnings history, you'll likely qualify for a weekly benefit amount around $450. After the partial benefit calculations (they exclude the first 25% of your reduced earnings), you should receive roughly $280-300 per week in partial benefits. **Pro tips that saved me headaches:** - Apply online during off-peak hours (like 6 AM) for faster processing - Screenshot your confirmation page and save it - Set up direct deposit immediately when approved - Keep a simple spreadsheet tracking weekly hours and gross pay for certifications The system isn't perfect and can be frustrating, but it absolutely works for situations like yours. You've earned these benefits through your tax contributions - don't feel guilty about using them! This should help bridge the gap while you look for additional work.