Glad we could help! Just remember to keep certifying on time (ideally Sunday morning) for the most consistent payment schedule. And double-check that your contact information is current in UI Online in case they need to reach you about your claim.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who also returned to unemployment after a long break! I was off unemployment for about 4 years and when I had to file again in late 2024, I was completely lost with all the changes. The Money Network transition really caught me off guard too. What helped me was logging into UI Online and going to the "Payment Method" section to confirm my direct deposit info was correct. There's also a section that shows your payment history with the new system. One thing I noticed - if you have any issues with future payments, don't bother calling the general EDD number. The Money Network customer service line (for direct deposit questions) is actually more helpful and has shorter wait times. The number is on their website if you need it. Your experience with getting the payment Monday after weekend certification is actually ideal timing! Some of my friends who still use the Money Network card say it takes longer to get their funds available.

Based on all the information shared, here's a simple checklist for you, OP: 1. Check your exact benefit year end date on UI Online 2. Continue certifying until that date to use as much of your current claim as possible 3. Gather documentation of your work and earnings since filing your original claim 4. File a new claim immediately after your benefit year ends 5. Be prepared for possible delays in payment during the transition 6. Keep detailed records of your job search activities And remember - EDD rules can change, so it's always best to check their official website or speak with a representative for the most current information specific to your situation.

Just wanted to add something that might help - when you do file your new claim in January, make sure you have all your pay stubs and tax documents from any work you did during 2024. Even if it was just temporary or part-time work, those earnings count toward your base period calculation. I learned this the hard way when I refiled last year and didn't have all my paperwork ready. It delayed my claim by weeks! Also, if you're worried about the gap in payments, you might want to start looking into other assistance programs now like CalFresh or local food banks, just in case there are delays with your new claim processing. Better to be prepared than scrambling later.

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - DO NOT click that reopen button! I made this exact mistake about 8 months ago when I was new to the system. I thought maybe I was supposed to click it to continue my claim or something, but it completely messed everything up. My payments got suspended for almost a month while they sorted it out, and I had to go through this whole appeals process to get my claim reactivated. The EDD rep I finally spoke to told me that clicking "reopen claim" when your claim is already active essentially tells the system that you want to close your current claim and start a new one, which triggers all sorts of red flags and reviews. The worst part is that during those weeks without payments, I still had to certify but wouldn't get paid until they resolved the issue. It was incredibly stressful financially. So please, just ignore that button completely! If your claim status shows active and you can certify normally, you're all good. The button will eventually disappear on its own.

I'm seeing this thread and wanted to jump in because I JUST went through this exact situation! Filed my claim 4 weeks ago, got my first payment deposited yesterday, and when I logged into UI Online this morning there was that dreaded "reopen your claim" button. I literally had a mini panic attack thinking I had somehow messed up my claim. After reading everyone's responses here, I checked my claim status and it shows "Active" with my benefit year ending in March 2026, plus my next certification date is clearly shown for this Sunday. So I'm definitely going to take everyone's advice and ignore that button completely. It's honestly ridiculous how EDD's system can cause so much unnecessary stress and confusion. Like, why would they even display that option to someone who just received their first payment? It makes no logical sense! But I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share their real experiences. You all probably just saved me from creating a huge mess with my claim. Thank you!

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that if you're looking for immediate work while job hunting, consider checking out temp agencies - they often have warehouse, packing, or general labor positions that can start within a few days. Even if it's just a week or two of work, as someone mentioned above, it can help stretch your remaining UI benefits since they reduce your weekly payment instead of your total balance. Also, don't forget to document EVERY job you apply for with dates and company names. EDD can audit your work search activities even after your benefits end, and you want to be prepared. I keep a simple spreadsheet with application dates, company names, and positions applied for. One more thing - if you haven't already, update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your recent warehouse experience. The logistics industry is still growing in many areas of California, and having current experience might help you stand out. Wishing you the best of luck!

Hey Emily, I just went through this exact situation a few months ago and want to share what worked for me. First, definitely apply for CalFresh ASAP - even if you think you won't qualify, you might be surprised. I got $194/month which was a huge help with groceries. Second, check if your county has an Emergency Rental Assistance program. I'm in Riverside County and they helped me with 2 months of rent when I was between unemployment ending and finding work. Each county runs their own program so search "[your county] emergency rental assistance." Third, consider looking into California's Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program if you have any dependents, or General Assistance if you don't. The amounts are small but every bit helps. Last thing - I ended up finding work through a staffing agency that specialized in warehouse/logistics. They had positions that started immediately and some even offered temp-to-perm opportunities. Try Randstad, Kelly Services, or Adecco if they operate in your area. You're going to get through this! The period between benefits ending and finding stable work is terrifying, but there are safety nets available if you know where to look. Feel free to DM me if you want specific info about any of these programs.

As someone who just joined this community after dealing with my own EDD nightmare, this entire thread has been a lifesaver! I have an apostrophe in my last name (O'Connor) and have been battling with both ID.me and EDD for over 6 weeks now. The ID.me verification supposedly went through, but I keep hitting the same "information doesn't match" wall when trying to register for UI Online. Reading Derek's success story and seeing how many others have dealt with similar special character issues makes me feel less alone in this mess. The technical explanation from Ryder about multiple databases not syncing properly finally makes sense of why this keeps happening. I'm definitely trying Claimyr tomorrow - the fact that so many people here have had success with it gives me real hope. It's absolutely ridiculous that in 2025 we need third-party services to access our own benefits because government systems can't handle basic punctuation, but I'm so grateful this community exists to share these solutions. Thank you all for being so generous with your knowledge and experiences - you're literally helping people put food on the table when the system fails them!

Just want to add my experience as another data point for people dealing with special characters - my last name has an accent (García) and I went through almost the exact same ordeal as Derek. The ID.me agent said everything was "fixed" but I still couldn't register for UI Online. What finally worked for me was calling through Claimyr (took about 20 minutes to get through) and specifically asking the EDD rep to spell out my name letter by letter from their system. Turns out the accent got stripped out entirely during the transfer from ID.me to EDD, so my name was stored as "Garcia" in their database. Once the rep updated it to match exactly what was on my documents, I was able to register immediately. The whole process took maybe 10 minutes once I got the right person on the phone. It's insane that we have to deal with this in 2025, but at least there are solutions. Thanks Derek for sharing your success story - it gave me the confidence to keep pushing for a resolution instead of just giving up!