One thing to keep in mind is that even though your contract is only 6 months, you'll still need to pay into the unemployment insurance system during that time (it gets deducted from your paychecks automatically). So you're literally paying into the system that you might need to use when the contract ends - there's nothing unethical about collecting benefits you've contributed to! Also, make sure you get a clear termination letter or email from your employer when the contract ends stating that it was due to the contract completion, not performance issues or you quitting. This documentation can be super helpful if EDD questions your eligibility later. The transition from freelancing to W-2 and potentially back again is becoming more common, especially in tech. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about using unemployment benefits during that transition period - that's literally what the system is for!

Just want to add another perspective as someone who's done multiple contract-to-unemployment transitions - the key thing EDD cares about is that you're "able, available, and actively seeking work." The beauty of W-2 contracts is that they establish you as a traditional employee in their system, which makes everything cleaner than trying to transition from pure 1099 work. One tip I learned the hard way: when you do your weekly certifications, be consistent in how you describe your work search. If you say you're looking for "similar employment" in week 1, don't suddenly switch to saying you're open to "any work" in week 3. EDD's system flags inconsistencies and can trigger reviews. Also, California has pretty generous unemployment benefits compared to other states, and with your $42/hour rate, you'll likely qualify for close to the maximum. Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so don't forget to set aside money for taxes or elect to have taxes withheld from your benefit payments. The timing might actually work out well for you - if this contract goes well, it could open doors to other similar W-2 contract opportunities, and having that unemployment safety net gives you negotiating power and breathing room between contracts.

quick update - i just tried the website password reset thing from another comment and IT WORKED!!!! was able to transfer my money to my bank!!! says it'll take 2-3 business days but at least i know its coming now. try it OP!!!

As someone who just went through this exact nightmare last month, I feel your pain! Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Call Money Network early morning (7-8 AM) when wait times are shorter 2. When they ask those impossible security questions, politely say "I don't recall the exact time, but I can provide [whatever details you DO remember]" 3. Ask them to note in your file that you're having legitimate access issues due to their security requirements The key is persistence - I had to call 4 different times before getting a rep who was willing to work with me on alternative verification. Some reps are more flexible than others. Also, IMMEDIATELY set up direct deposit through UI Online once this is resolved. Go to "Payment Method" and switch from debit card to direct deposit. It takes 2-3 weeks to take effect, but you'll never deal with Money Network again. Trust me, it's worth the wait! Keep us posted on how the supervisor call goes - rooting for you to get this sorted quickly!

Pro tip for everyone: Transfer your full benefit payment to your personal bank account IMMEDIATELY when it hits your Money Network card. You can set up automatic transfers in the Money Network app. No fees for transfers, and then you avoid all these restaurant holds and ATM fees. Been doing this since they switched from BofA and haven't had a single issue since. Another workaround for restaurant purchases: if you know you're running low on funds, ask the cashier to process it as a final sale with no tip option. Many places can do this if you explain the situation. Doesn't always work, but worth trying.

This is absolutely infuriating! As someone who just started dealing with these Money Network cards after being on the old BofA system, I had no idea about these authorization holds. It's unconscionable that they're essentially holding our own money hostage when we're already struggling financially. I've been reading through everyone's suggestions and it sounds like the immediate transfer to a personal bank account is the way to go. But what about people who don't have bank accounts? Are there any other options for them, or are they just stuck dealing with these predatory practices? Also, has anyone tried disputing these holds directly with Money Network? I'm wondering if there's any way to get them to adjust their policy for unemployment benefit cards specifically, since this isn't regular spending money - it's government assistance that people depend on for basic necessities.

btw they dont charge 4 first replacement but if u lose it again its like $12 or somthing

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 had a similar experience last year! My eligibility interview was only about 6 minutes and I was convinced I'd blown it because I didn't get to present half of what I'd prepared. The interviewer asked maybe 3 questions total and seemed to already know the basic facts of my case. Turns out she had already reviewed all my uploaded documents beforehand and just needed to verify a couple details verbally. Got my approval letter 5 days later and received all my back pay within 2 weeks after that. The key thing is that you've been consistently certifying during this whole process - that shows you've been available and looking for work, which strengthens your case. Try not to overthink it too much. Employment date discrepancies are usually pretty cut and dry when you have the documentation to back it up.

I'm going through something very similar right now! My eligibility interview was scheduled for next week and I've been preparing for hours, gathering every piece of documentation I can think of. Your post actually makes me feel a bit better about what to expect - I was imagining this intense hour-long interrogation but it sounds like they might already have most of what they need from the case file. The 7 months without benefits sounds absolutely brutal though. I've only been waiting 3 months and it's already putting serious financial strain on my family. Really hoping your decision comes back positive soon! Keep us posted when you hear back - stories like yours help the rest of us know what we're dealing with in this whole process.