For everyone still searching for an EDD San Jose phone number - I contacted three different local offices and they all said the same thing. Unemployment calls only go through 800-300-5616 or 833-978-8753, both identical lines.

I'm in the same boat here in San Jose! Been calling for weeks thinking there might be a local number. After reading all these responses, it's clear there's no separate EDD San Jose phone number. The timing tips are really helpful though - sounds like early Wednesday mornings around 8am and avoiding the lunch hour blackout are key. Might have to bite the bullet and try one of those callback services since I can't keep taking time off work to call during business hours. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

Final update: It took exactly 4 business days for my direct deposit to activate. Just got my first payment directly to my checking account today! For anyone else wondering, the process was pretty straightforward - the Money Network website walks you through it. And yes, I did have to transfer the initial payment from my card separately.

That's awesome that it worked out so smoothly for you! 4 business days is actually pretty reasonable. Quick question for everyone - has anyone had issues with the Money Network website being down or glitchy when trying to set up direct deposit? I'm planning to do this soon and want to know if there are certain times of day that work better or if I should expect any technical difficulties with their site.

This is such helpful information for anyone going through this process! I'm in a similar situation where I'm waiting for my Money Network card after setting up direct deposit too late. One thing I learned from calling EDD (after many attempts) is that they can't actually expedite the Money Network card delivery - that's handled entirely by a third-party company. The EDD rep told me the only thing they can do is confirm that the payment was processed and sent to Money Network for card loading. So unfortunately we're all at the mercy of their standard 7-10 business day delivery window. But it's good to know that future payments will go straight to our bank accounts once direct deposit kicks in!

Just wanted to add something that might help others in this situation - if you're really strapped for cash while waiting for the Money Network card, you might want to check if your local food banks or community assistance programs can help bridge the gap. I know it's not ideal, but when I was waiting for my card last year and rent was due, I found some local resources that helped with groceries and even had emergency rental assistance programs. It's worth looking into while you're waiting for that card to arrive. Also, if you have any bills due soon, call the companies and explain your situation - many have hardship programs or will work with you on payment plans. The unemployment system is frustratingly slow, but there are other resources out there to help get you through this waiting period.

I just wanted to share my experience from when this happened to me a few weeks ago. The Money Network website went completely blank for about 36 hours - zero balance, no transaction history, nothing. I was terrified my account had been compromised or EDD had somehow reversed my payments. What I learned from calling both Money Network AND EDD directly is that these two systems don't always sync properly during maintenance windows. EDD's payment system is separate from Money Network's display system, so even if you can't see your funds, they're usually still there. Pro tip: If this happens again, you can actually use any ATM with your card to check your balance for free - even during website outages, the card itself still works normally. I was able to withdraw my usual amount even when the website showed $0. Sometimes the old-school methods work better than the fancy apps! Hope this helps anyone who runs into this issue in the future. These payment systems really need better communication about planned maintenance!

This whole thread is so reassuring! I'm a new claimant and got my first EDD payment last week. When I woke up this morning and saw my Money Network showing zero balance, I literally thought I was going to have a panic attack. I had no idea these kinds of system glitches were somewhat common. Reading everyone's experiences and solutions here has been incredibly helpful. I tried the mobile app like someone suggested and sure enough, everything shows up correctly there. I also called the customer service number and they confirmed it's just a website display issue. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge - this community is a lifesaver for navigating all these confusing EDD systems! I'll definitely be transferring my funds immediately from now on and bookmarking that UI Online Payment Activity section.

For your vacation payout question: Yes, you must report vacation pay when certifying. On the certification form, you'll select "Yes" when asked if you received any income, then select "Vacation Pay" as the type. Enter the gross amount (before taxes) and the dates it covers. For severance, you'll handle it similarly but select "Severance Pay" as the income type. Both can reduce your weekly benefit amount for the weeks they cover, but won't necessarily disqualify you completely. If you have trouble understanding how to report these correctly, I strongly recommend speaking with an EDD representative who can guide you through your specific situation.

I went through almost the exact same situation 6 months ago! Company laid me off but kept me on the books for "transition purposes" until my official end date 10 weeks later. I was so confused about when to file, but I'm glad I applied immediately after reading advice like what's here. The key thing is that EDD cares about when you stopped working and receiving regular wages, not what your employer calls your status. I had to do a phone interview because my employer initially disputed the claim (they said I was still employed), but once I explained I wasn't working or getting paid, it got approved quickly. One tip: keep that layoff email from HR as documentation. I had to reference mine during my interview to prove I wasn't working even though I was technically still "employed." Also, if you get any kind of severance or continued benefits, make sure you understand exactly what you're receiving and when so you can report it correctly. The whole process was way less scary than I thought it would be. Don't let the administrative games delay your application!