UPDATE: I followed the advice here and it worked! I updated my address in UI Online yesterday, then called Money Network this morning. They confirmed they had my new address in their system, cancelled the old card, and are sending a new one to my current address in Oakland. Should arrive in 7-10 business days. For anyone else with this issue - definitely update your address in UI Online FIRST, then wait at least 24 hours before contacting Money Network. The customer service rep told me that's the #1 mistake people make. Thanks everyone for your help!

So glad you got this sorted out! Your update is really helpful for others dealing with the same issue. Just wanted to add that if anyone is still having trouble getting their card after updating their address and calling Money Network, you can also visit a local EDD office if there's one near you. I know it's not ideal, but sometimes an in-person visit can help expedite things when you're dealing with urgent situations like rent being due. The wait times can be long but at least you're guaranteed to speak with someone who can access your account directly.

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! Got fired two weeks ago for what my manager called "attitude problems" after I questioned a new policy that seemed to violate labor laws. No prior disciplinary actions in 4 years of employment. I filed my claim last Monday and I'm still waiting to hear back. The anxiety is killing me because everyone keeps saying different things about whether misconduct cases have any chance. Reading through these comments is actually giving me some hope - especially seeing that @Salim Nasir won his appeal for "insubordination." @Connor O'Brien - definitely document everything you remember about that customer interaction ASAP. I wish I had done that right away instead of waiting a week. Also, if you have any positive performance reviews or employee recognition, gather those too. From what I'm reading here, having proof of your good work history seems really important. Has anyone here had experience with what happens if you find a new job while your appeal is still pending? Do you still get the backpay if you win?

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I'm a former EDD claims examiner (worked there for 6 years before moving to private sector). Your situation is definitely not a slam dunk denial like some people are suggesting. When we reviewed misconduct cases, we had to look at several factors: severity of the act, whether it was willful vs. a mistake, prior disciplinary history, and whether the employee knew their job was in jeopardy. A single verbal altercation with a difficult customer after 3 years of clean service doesn't automatically meet California's misconduct standard. The key phrase EDD uses is "substantial breach of duty showing willful disregard for employer's interests." Getting frustrated with an unreasonable customer isn't the same as theft, violence, or deliberate policy violations. Your clean record actually carries significant weight in these determinations. Some practical advice: When you file, be completely honest about what happened but don't overly dramatize or downplay it. Just state the facts. If you get a phone interview, stay calm and professional - how you handle yourself during that call often influences the examiner's decision more than people realize. File immediately and don't let fear of denial stop you. I've seen plenty of cases like yours get approved, especially when the claimant presented their side clearly and had witnesses to the customer's behavior. Good luck!

I'm going through the same thing right now - got my appeal hearing scheduled for next month after being wrongfully disqualified. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both terrifying and helpful at the same time! From what I've gathered from all the comments, it sounds like the key things are: - Yes, your employer will be on the call (unfortunately) - Have all your documentation ready and organized - Stay calm and factual even if they lie - Remember the burden of proof is on THEM to prove misconduct That company-wide downsizing email you mentioned sounds like golden evidence! I wish I had something that clear-cut. My situation is messier - they're claiming I was "unreliable" but really they just wanted to get rid of higher-paid employees. Has anyone here had success when it's more of a he-said-she-said situation without as much documentation? I have some emails showing my good performance but nothing as definitive as a downsizing announcement. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's helping me feel less alone in this stressful process!

Just wanted to add my experience since I see a lot of people are going through this same stressful situation. I had my EDD appeal hearing about 6 months ago after being disqualified for "misconduct" - which was complete garbage because I was actually laid off when my company eliminated my entire position. Yes, your former employer will definitely be on the call. In my case, it was my old supervisor and someone from HR. The hearing lasted about 40 minutes total. Here's what I learned: The judge was actually pretty fair and asked tough questions to BOTH sides. When my employer claimed I was fired for poor performance, the judge asked them for specific examples and documentation. They couldn't provide much beyond vague complaints, which worked in my favor. What really helped me win was: - I had saved the job posting where they reposted my position at a lower salary 2 weeks after letting me go - I brought up that they had eliminated similar positions in other departments around the same time - I stayed calm and answered questions directly without rambling The decision came in the mail 10 days later - I won! Got all my back benefits plus the ongoing payments. It was such a relief after months of stress. My advice: gather every piece of evidence you can, even small things like emails or meeting notes. And remember, they have to prove you did something wrong ON PURPOSE. Being downsized or eliminated due to budget cuts is NOT misconduct, no matter how they try to spin it.

I just went through this exact same situation last month! The Money Network card automatically gets mailed out once your first payment processes - you don't need to do anything. Mine took exactly 8 days to arrive after I saw the payment issued in my UI Online account. Like others mentioned, it comes in a really plain white envelope that honestly looks like spam mail, so definitely don't throw it away! One thing I wish someone had told me is that you can actually track your payment status through the Bank of America EDD Debit Card website even before your card arrives. Just use your SSN and you can see when payments are loaded. Also, once you get the card, I'd recommend immediately setting up the mobile app and switching to direct deposit if you have a bank account - it's so much more convenient than using the card for everything. Good luck and congrats on getting your first payment approved!

Hey Ravi! I went through the same thing a few months ago and totally understand the confusion. Yes, EDD automatically sends you a Money Network debit card after your first payment is processed - no action needed on your part! Mine took about 6 days to arrive, but I've heard it can take up to 10 business days depending on mail volume. The card will have your payment loaded on it, and all future payments will go to that same card. Just make sure your mailing address is up to date in your UI Online account. Once you get the card, you can use it right away for purchases, but you'll need to set up a PIN if you want to use ATMs. I'd also recommend downloading the Money Network app once you receive the card - it makes checking your balance and setting up direct deposit much easier. Hang in there, the card should arrive soon!

If you're still having trouble getting through by phone, another option is to contact your local Assembly or Senate representative's office. They often have dedicated EDD liaisons who can help with urgent cases like yours. I had to do this for my mom when she couldn't get through for her disability claim. Just call their district office and explain it's an urgent SDI filing issue - they usually respond within 1-2 business days and can sometimes get things resolved faster than going through the normal channels. You can find your representatives at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov. Worth trying if the direct calling doesn't work out!

I've been through this exact nightmare! Here's what finally worked for me: I created a simple spreadsheet to track all my call attempts with timestamps, which number I called, and how long I waited before getting disconnected. This helped me identify patterns - I noticed I had better luck on Wednesdays around 8:15 AM (not exactly 8:00 when everyone calls). Also, if you have any old text messages or emails that might reference your EDD email address, search for "edd" or "unemployment" - sometimes there are clues buried in confirmation texts or email forwards you forgot about. One last tip: when you do get through, ask the agent to add a secondary email to your account as a backup so this doesn't happen again!