Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still figuring this out - I've found that many Rite Aid locations have AllPoint ATMs too, which has been super convenient since they're often open later than other pharmacies. Also, if you're ever stuck on weekends, some Arco gas stations have MoneyPass ATMs that work fee-free with the Money Network card. One tip that saved me recently: if you need cash but all the nearby fee-free ATMs are out of service or empty, you can use your Money Network card to buy a small gift card at most grocery stores and then immediately return it for cash (just keep the receipt). Most stores will refund gift cards as cash if returned the same day. It's a bit of a workaround but better than paying those $5+ ATM fees when you're desperate! The learning curve with these new cards has definitely been steep, but this community has been amazing at sharing all these hidden tricks and options. Really wish EDD had provided better guidance from the start instead of leaving us all to figure it out ourselves!

Another useful option I discovered is that many Costco locations have fee-free ATMs in their main stores (not just the gas stations), and they usually have higher cash limits than the smaller convenience store ATMs. Also, if you're ever traveling, airport ATMs can be hit or miss but I've found that some participate in the AllPoint network - just look for the logos before using them to avoid those crazy travel fees. One thing that really helped me was setting up account alerts through the Money Network app so I get notifications when my balance changes or when deposits hit my account. This way I'm never caught off guard at an ATM thinking I have money when I don't. Also learned that some farmers markets and food trucks accept EBT/debit with cash back options if you're in more rural areas without many ATM options. The transition has definitely been frustrating but threads like this make it so much more manageable. Thanks everyone for sharing all your experiences and creative solutions! 🙌

I'm going through the RESEA program right now too and had the exact same confusion! My counselor told me during our first meeting that I didn't need to enter work search details in UI Online since I'm already tracking everything through the RESEA portal. But then I started second-guessing myself after seeing all the warnings online about work search requirements. After reading through all these responses, especially the info about the March 2025 policy change, I feel so much more confident. It sounds like your counselor was actually giving you the correct updated guidance! I'm definitely going to follow everyone's advice and get written clarification from my counselor though - better safe than sorry. The stress is so real when you have kids depending on these benefits. I've been losing sleep over whether I'm doing this right! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread has been incredibly helpful for those of us navigating the current RESEA requirements.

I'm currently in the RESEA program and experiencing this exact same confusion! My counselor also told me I don't need to document work search activities in UI Online because I'm already submitting them through the RESEA portal. But like everyone else here, I was getting really anxious seeing all the conflicting information online. Reading through this thread has been such a relief - especially learning about the March 2025 policy change that CosmicCadet mentioned. That finally explains why we're getting different guidance than people who went through RESEA earlier this year or last year! I'm definitely going to follow the advice here and email my counselor for written clarification about the specific requirements under the new policy. As a newcomer to unemployment benefits, I really appreciate all the practical tips about keeping your own documentation and saving everything in multiple places. The stress of potentially making a mistake when you need these benefits is so real. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this community has been incredibly helpful for understanding what's actually going on with the current RESEA requirements!

UPDATE: I certified on March 2nd as scheduled, and you all were right! They took $600 to clear my overpayment balance and released the remaining $300 to my EDD debit card. It took about 2 days for the payment to process. Thanks everyone for your help explaining how this works!

That's awesome news! Thanks for coming back to update us - it really helps other people who might be in the same situation. It's such a relief when EDD actually processes things the way they're supposed to. Now you can focus on your job search without worrying about penalty weeks hanging over your head. Hope things keep improving for you!

So glad to hear you found a better path forward with SDI! I went through something similar a couple years ago and the medical leave route really saved me. Just a heads up - make sure to keep copies of all the paperwork your doctor submits, and don't be surprised if SDI asks for additional documentation during the review process. They were pretty thorough with my case but ultimately approved it. Hope you get the time you need to recover properly. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as physical health!

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I work in HR and see these situations fairly often. The SDI route that you chose is definitely the smart move! One thing I'd recommend is also looking into whether your company offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - many do and they can provide additional mental health resources and sometimes even help navigate the leave process. Also, if your company has 50+ employees, you likely qualify for FMLA protection which means your job will be protected while you're on medical leave. This gives you peace of mind that you'll have a position to return to when you're ready. Make sure to formally request FMLA if you haven't already - it runs concurrent with SDI but provides the job protection piece.

I just wanted to add another perspective from someone who's been through this process recently. I missed my EDD appeal hearing about 3 months ago due to never receiving the notice, and like everyone here, I was absolutely panicking about the overpayment ($11,200 in my case). What really helped me was calling the Appeals office multiple times to make sure they had all my current contact information on file - phone, email, AND mailing address. Turns out they had my old email from 2 years ago! I also asked them to send any future correspondence via email AND regular mail to be extra sure. When I filed my Request to Reopen, I included a sworn declaration (you can find templates online) stating under penalty of perjury that I never received the hearing notice. This seemed to carry more weight than just a regular letter. The judge approved my request in about 12 days, which was faster than the 20 days they quoted me. My new hearing is actually scheduled for next week, so I can't report on the final outcome yet, but the process of getting the reopening approved went much smoother than I expected. Don't lose hope - the system may be frustrating but there are definitely ways to work through it when you're persistent and thorough with documentation. Hang in there everyone! We've got this! 💪

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare situation! I went through something very similar about 6 months ago and the stress was absolutely overwhelming. Like you, I never received the actual hearing notice - just the acknowledgment letter saying they got my appeal. Here's what worked for me: I immediately filed a Request to Reopen (you have 20 days from the decision date) and included a very detailed explanation about never receiving the notice. I also gathered any evidence I could - USPS tracking info, screenshots of my UI Online account showing my correct address, even a statement from my mail carrier about delivery issues in my area during that time period. The most important thing is acting fast and being thorough with your documentation. The judges do understand that EDD has serious mail delivery problems - I've read that they see these missed notice cases constantly. My Request to Reopen was approved in about 15 days, and my new hearing was scheduled 5 weeks later. I know $9,500 feels insurmountable right now, but don't give up! You're taking all the right steps by filing that request immediately. The fact that you were legitimately laid off and collected benefits according to the rules at the time should work in your favor. Keep us posted on how it goes - we're all rooting for you!