Just want to add that you should also check if your employer offers any payroll advance or bonus programs that might help with the immediate tax situation. Some companies will give you a small advance on future earnings if you explain you need to catch up on taxes from unemployment. Also, if you're really worried about penalties, remember that as long as you pay at least what you owed last year (or 90% of this year's liability), you won't get hit with underpayment penalties. The IRS and California are pretty reasonable about this stuff if you're making a good faith effort to catch up!

Another thing to keep in mind - if you're planning to stay at this new job for a while, you might want to consider slightly over-withholding for the rest of the year rather than trying to hit the exact amount. This way you'll get a refund instead of owing, which can be nice for peace of mind. You can always adjust your withholding back down next year once you're caught up. Also, don't forget that unemployment benefits might have pushed you into a different tax bracket temporarily, so the effective tax rate on those benefits might be higher than your regular income tax rate. Good luck with everything and congrats again on the new job!

Update question for the original poster - did any of these suggestions work for you? Were you able to get through to EDD?

That's awesome news @Samantha Johnson! So glad you finally got through and got it resolved. The identity verification flag issue is pretty common - I had the same thing happen to me a few months ago and it wasn't visible anywhere in the online portal either. It's frustrating that these issues aren't clearly displayed to claimants, but at least you're sorted now. Hopefully your payment comes through quickly! For anyone else still struggling, the UI technical support line (1-855-327-7057) really does seem to be the way to go based on multiple success stories here.

I've been struggling with the same issue - it's so frustrating when you can't get through to anyone! I've tried calling multiple times but always get the busy signal or automated system that hangs up. Has anyone had success with any specific times of day that work better for getting through? I'm worried about my claim status and really need to speak with someone soon.

I know how incredibly frustrating this is - I went through the same thing for weeks! The automated system would just hang up on me constantly. What finally worked for me was calling at exactly 8:01 AM and using the "1-2-1" option sequence when the automated menu starts. Also, don't hang up if you get put on hold - even if it's for hours. I waited 3.5 hours once but finally got through to a real person who was able to help me with my claim. Keep trying different times throughout the day too - I've heard some people have luck around 12 PM or 2 PM when call volume might be slightly lower. Stay persistent!

I'm also waiting for the direct deposit option and this thread has been super helpful! One thing I wanted to add for anyone dealing with the Money Network card in the meantime - if you need to transfer money from the card to your personal bank account, you can do it through the Money Network mobile app or website for free (though it takes 1-3 business days). There's also an option for instant transfer but that comes with a fee. I've been using this method to move my unemployment payments to my main checking account so I can pay bills and manage my finances normally while waiting for direct deposit access. It's not as convenient as direct deposit but it beats having to withdraw cash from ATMs all the time. Just make sure to link your bank account in the Money Network app first - the verification process takes a day or two.

I've been following this thread closely since I'm in the exact same situation as the original poster. Just wanted to add that I called the EDD customer service line yesterday (after waiting 2.5 hours on hold) and the rep confirmed what everyone here has been saying - the direct deposit rollout is happening in phases and there's no way to expedite access for your account. She also mentioned that they're prioritizing accounts that have been active the longest, so if you're a newer claimant like me (just approved last month), we'll likely be in one of the later batches. The rep suggested checking your UI Online account every Monday since that's when they typically push out the updates to new batches of accounts. One more thing - she warned me that there have been some phishing emails going around claiming to be from EDD about direct deposit setup. The legitimate notification will ONLY come through your UI Online message center and your registered email address, and it will never ask you to click links to set up banking info. Just be careful out there!

Wow, what a relief that your card finally arrived Faith! This thread is such a great resource for anyone going through the same stress. I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and I remember checking my mailbox obsessively every single day. The plain envelope thing is so true - I almost threw mine away thinking it was junk mail! For future reference for anyone reading this, I also want to mention that if you ever need to dispute a charge on the Money Network card or have issues with ATM fees, their customer service is actually pretty responsive compared to EDD. They have 24/7 support and I've never had trouble getting through to them. Just keep that number handy: 1-866-692-9374. The automatic transfer feature has been a lifesaver for me. Once you set it up, you basically forget about the whole EDD card system and just get your money deposited like a normal paycheck. Makes the whole unemployment process feel a little less degrading, if that makes sense.

This whole thread is such a perfect example of how the EDD system works - it's stressful and slow, but it does eventually work! Faith, I'm so happy your card finally arrived. For anyone else going through this wait, I just want to add that you can also check if your local EDD office has any emergency payment options if you're facing eviction or utility shutoffs. Some offices can issue temporary paper checks in genuine hardship cases, though it's not widely advertised and you usually have to ask specifically. It's worth a shot if you're really in a bind while waiting for the card. The whole process is definitely anxiety-inducing when you're dealing with bills and rent, but seeing success stories like this gives me hope that the system, despite its flaws, does get people their money eventually.