I went through this exact same thing about 3 months ago! My bank (Navy Federal) rejected my EDD deposit because I had recently moved and apparently there was a mismatch between my address on file with EDD and my bank account. It was super stressful because I needed that money for rent. The payment did automatically go to my Money Network card, but it took 6 business days which felt like forever when you're waiting for it. What I learned from calling both EDD and my bank is that you should definitely try to figure out why it was rejected so it doesn't happen again. In my case, I just had to update my address with EDD through UI Online. One thing that helped me while waiting was setting up text alerts on the Money Network card so I got notified the moment the payment hit. You can do this through their mobile app or website. Also, don't panic if it takes the full week - the system works, it's just slow! Once you get this resolved, I'd recommend doing a test with a small direct deposit first (if your bank allows it) to make sure everything works before your next unemployment payment. Good luck!

I'm currently dealing with this exact situation right now! My EDD payment was rejected by my bank 2 days ago and I've been really stressed about it. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - it sounds like this is way more common than I thought. I called my bank (US Bank) and they told me the rejection was due to their "enhanced fraud protection" flagging the EDD deposit as suspicious since I don't usually receive government payments. They said they could remove the flag for future deposits, but the current payment is already on its way back to EDD. Based on what everyone is saying about the 4-7 day timeline, I should see it on my Money Network card in the next few days. I'm definitely going to set up those text alerts that someone mentioned and try to get this bank issue resolved so my next payment goes through smoothly. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's really reassuring to know this gets resolved automatically even though the wait is nerve-wracking when you need the money!

I just went through this exact same situation a few weeks ago and wanted to share what worked for me! The frustration is SO real when you need that money for rent. Here's my step-by-step approach that got results: **Step 1:** Called Money Network at 1-888-323-7735 at 7:45am sharp (before the rush hits) **Step 2:** When the automated system asks why you're calling, I said "lost or stolen card" - this routes you faster to a human than "general questions" **Step 3:** Once connected, I immediately asked to speak with a "card fulfillment specialist" rather than staying with general customer service **Step 4:** Had them verify my EXACT address formatting - turns out EDD had "Unit 12" but Money Network expected "#12" which caused a 3-week delay! **The specialist was able to:** - Fix the address formatting issue instantly - Expedite a replacement card at no charge (since it was their system error) - Give me a tracking number for the new card I had my card in 2 business days after that call! **Pro tip:** While you're dealing with this, also switch to direct deposit in UI Online as backup. It only affects future payments, but gives you peace of mind. Your money is definitely safe - it's just trapped by a silly formatting glitch that the right person can fix in minutes. Don't give up! The early morning calling strategy really makes all the difference. 🙌

I'm also dealing with this same issue right now - going on week 3 without my Money Network card! Reading through everyone's detailed experiences here has been incredibly reassuring that this is a widespread problem with actual solutions. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: I discovered that you can check the status of your card through the Money Network website (mynycb.com/moneynetworkedd) even before you receive it. You just need your SSN and some basic info. It won't solve the problem, but at least you can see if your card shows as "issued," "mailed," or still "in production." I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy (7:30-7:45am) that multiple people have recommended, and ask specifically for a "card fulfillment specialist" right away. The address formatting issues that several people mentioned make so much sense - I live in an apartment and I bet there's a mismatch between how EDD and Money Network have my address stored. Thank you to everyone who shared such specific, actionable advice. This thread is literally more helpful than anything on the official EDD website! Will update with how my call goes tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed! 🤞

I'm currently dealing with this same situation and this thread has been a lifesaver! My certification went through last Thursday and shows "paid" as of Monday, but still nothing in my account (using Credit Union). I was starting to panic because I've never used direct deposit with EDD before - only ever had the Money Network card. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should expect to wait until at least Wednesday or Thursday of next week before getting worried. I had no clue about the verification process taking so long for the first payment. Really wish EDD would just be honest about the actual timeline instead of getting people's hopes up with that "24-48 hours" nonsense. Going to call my credit union tomorrow to check for pending ACH transfers and set up those mobile alerts. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - knowing this is normal makes the wait so much more bearable!

I just went through this exact same experience last month! My first direct deposit took 6 business days from when it showed "paid" in the portal. I was checking my account obsessively every few hours and even called my bank thinking something was wrong. Turns out it's completely normal for the first payment while they verify everything on their end. Now my payments come through like clockwork in 2-3 days. The waiting is stressful but your money is definitely coming! One tip - I found that payments usually hit my account early in the morning (around 3-4 AM) rather than during business hours, so check first thing when you wake up.

pro tip: if u get thru to someone but they cant help, ask them to transfer u instead of hanging up and starting over. sometimes u can bypass the whole queue that way

I've been dealing with EDD for over a month now and here's what finally worked for me: I called the 1-800-300-5616 number at exactly 8:01 AM on a Tuesday (avoid Mondays - everyone calls then). When you get to the automated menu, press 1-2-1 quickly, then when it asks for your SSN, enter it but add a random digit at the end. The system will say "invalid" and transfer you to a human operator to "verify your information." Took me about 45 minutes on hold but I actually got through to someone who could help. Also, keep a notepad ready with all your dates, claim numbers, and previous correspondence - they'll ask for everything. Good luck everyone, don't give up! 💪

I can relate to your anxiety about this situation! I went through something very similar about 8 months ago when I started a part-time job at a local restaurant while still on unemployment benefits. Like you, I was really worried about whether my new employer would somehow find out about my claim. Here's what I learned from my experience: - EDD does NOT automatically notify your new employer about your unemployment claim status - this would actually be a privacy violation - They only contact employers to verify wage/employment information if there are discrepancies in reporting - You absolutely must report all earnings accurately when you certify (learned this the hard way myself!) - Keep detailed records of your hours and gross pay - I use a simple notebook that I keep in my car Since you're working 25 hours/week part-time, you'll likely still qualify for partial benefits as long as your weekly earnings are below your weekly benefit amount. The reduction is typically around 75% of your gross earnings. The fact that you're being so careful about following the rules properly after your penalty weeks experience shows you're handling this responsibly. I totally understand the stress, but honestly once you get into the routine of accurate reporting every two weeks, it becomes much more manageable. Congratulations on landing the new job! Try not to let the EDD worries overshadow this positive step forward. You've got this!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in employment law. The advice you've been getting is largely correct - EDD does not automatically notify employers about unemployment claim status, as this would violate privacy protections. However, I want to emphasize something important: you are under NO obligation to disclose your unemployment status to your new employer. In fact, asking about or discriminating against someone for collecting unemployment benefits can be problematic under California law. That said, working part-time while collecting partial unemployment is completely legitimate and actually encouraged by the system - it's designed to help people transition back to full employment. Your situation is exactly what partial benefits are meant for. A few practical tips: - Document everything: hours worked, gross wages, dates worked - Report gross earnings (before taxes) when you certify - Report for the week you actually work, not when you receive payment - Consider setting up a simple tracking system (spreadsheet, notebook, phone app) Given that you've already learned the importance of accurate reporting through your penalty weeks experience, you're well-positioned to handle this correctly. Focus on excelling at your new job and don't let EDD concerns create unnecessary stress. You're taking all the right steps!