I just went through this same situation a few weeks ago! The whole payment method thing is so confusing when you're new to unemployment. Since your payment is already processing, it will definitely go to the Money Network card first - there's no way to redirect a payment that's already been issued. The good news is that once you get the card (usually takes about a week), you can transfer the money to your bank account pretty easily through their app. I did the instant transfer for the small fee since I needed my rent money right away, and it was totally worth it. One thing I wish someone had told me - make sure you have a backup plan for rent if the card doesn't arrive by when you need it. Maybe talk to your landlord about a few days extension or see if a family member can help temporarily? The card delivery timing can be unpredictable, especially with mail delays. Also, keep checking your UI Online account - sometimes the system will show when the card has been mailed, which gives you a better idea of when to expect it. Good luck, and don't stress too much - you'll get your money, it's just a matter of waiting for that card to arrive!

Hey there! I'm actually in almost the exact same situation right now - just got my first unemployment approval yesterday and was completely lost about the payment method thing. Reading through all these comments has been super helpful! I'm planning to set up direct deposit for future payments like you did, but it sounds like I should also prepare for that first payment to come via the Money Network card. The 7-14 day wait time is nerve-wracking when bills are due, but at least now I know what to expect. One question for everyone - has anyone had success calling EDD directly to ask about expediting the card delivery, or is that pretty much impossible to get through? I'm wondering if it's worth trying the phone lines or if services like Claimyr are really the only way to actually talk to someone these days. Thanks for posting this question Sienna, and thanks to everyone who shared their experiences! It's such a relief to know this confusion is normal and not just me being clueless about the system.

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!

I reapplied last week and got approved in 3 days! Maybe they've finally fixed the backlog? 🤞

Just wanted to add that if you're reapplying after your benefit year ended, make sure you check if you have any remaining balance from your previous claim first. Sometimes you can just reopen your existing claim instead of filing a brand new one, which is usually faster. I learned this the hard way after waiting weeks for a new claim when I could have just reopened! Also, keep copies of everything you submit - I mean EVERYTHING. Screenshots, confirmation emails, the works. The system can be glitchy and you'll want proof if something goes wrong.

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!

Just wanted to add my recent experience to this thread! I was in almost the exact same situation - had an old EDD card from early 2021 that I thought might still work when I got approved for a new claim in late 2024. The good news: if your card hasn't expired, they'll absolutely use it! Mine worked perfectly and I saw my first payment within 24 hours of certifying, which was way faster than I remembered from 2021. The not-so-good news: like others mentioned, you'll probably need to reset your automatic transfer settings. Mine were completely gone after the long gap. But honestly, setting them back up in the Money Network app took maybe 5 minutes tops. One thing I wish someone had told me - even if your transfer settings need to be reset, you can still access your money immediately through ATMs or by using the card for purchases. I was stressed about rent too, but I just used the card directly at my bank's ATM to get cash. No fees and no waiting around for transfers to process. Also definitely call the number on your card first to make sure it's active - that tip from others here is gold. My card was valid but needed to be reactivated after sitting unused for so long. Quick 5-minute call saved me days of worry!

Just wanted to jump in here since I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago! My EDD card from 2021 was still good (expires 2027) and they definitely used the same one for my new claim. The Money Network system has gotten SO much better since 2021 - payments now show up within 1-2 days instead of the 3-5 days it used to take. My auto-transfer settings were still there and working, which surprised me since I'd heard mixed reports about that. One thing that might help with your rent timing - if you're really worried about access to funds, you can always do a quick balance transfer to a friend or family member through the Money Network app (if they also have a Money Network card) or use Zelle/Venmo once the money hits your card. That way you're not dependent on ACH transfers to your bank if timing is tight. Sounds like you're in good shape though if your card is still valid and you can log into the account! The whole process is much smoother now than it was during the pandemic chaos.