I just went through this same situation about a month ago and wanted to share what worked for me! You're definitely on the right track - EDD will automatically send you the Money Network card regardless of whether you set up direct deposit or not. The card typically arrives within 5-10 business days in a plain white envelope that honestly looks like junk mail, so keep an eye out for it. For direct deposit, log into your UI Online account and look for "Payment Methods" - it might be under "Profile" or "Manage Account" depending on how the site is laid out that day (their interface seems to change randomly). You'll need your bank's routing number and your account number. Just make sure to double-check those numbers because even a small typo can delay everything by weeks. Here's the important part: even if you set up direct deposit immediately, your first payment will almost certainly still go to the card because of processing delays. But don't worry - you can use that card right away at ATMs or stores just like a regular debit card. After that first payment, everything should switch over to direct deposit automatically. One last tip - take screenshots of your direct deposit setup confirmation and save any confirmation emails. EDD's system can be glitchy and sometimes "forgets" your settings, so having that documentation can save you a lot of headaches if you need to call them later. Hang in there and congrats on getting approved!

I just went through this exact same process about two weeks ago, so this thread is super timely! Like everyone mentioned, you'll definitely get the Money Network card automatically - it came to me in about 6 days in a really plain white envelope that I almost threw away thinking it was spam mail. For direct deposit, I found the option under "Manage Account" in my UI Online portal, but it took me a while to locate it because their menu layout isn't very intuitive. Make sure you have your routing and account numbers ready, and definitely verify them with your bank first - I called mine just to double-check and they confirmed my account could receive ACH deposits no problem. One thing that really helped me was setting up both payment methods right after approval but not stressing too much about which one would be used first. My first payment went to the card as expected, but starting with payment #2, everything has gone smoothly to my bank account via direct deposit. The Money Network card actually isn't terrible to use if you need quick access to funds - I used it at an ATM the day I got my first payment and there were no fees for the first couple withdrawals. But direct deposit is definitely more convenient long-term. Just remember to activate that card even if you plan to use direct deposit, because EDD can be unpredictable about which method they use sometimes! Hope this helps and congrats on getting through the approval process - I know how stressful that wait can be!

As someone who just went through this exact confusion a few months ago, I totally feel your stress about budgeting around uncertain payment timing! What really helped me was understanding that EDD assigns you to a specific certification group when your claim is approved - you can find this info in your UI Online account under the main dashboard. Once I figured out I was in Group 1 (Sunday certifications), everything clicked. I certify every other Sunday evening, and my payment consistently hits my Bank of America account by Wednesday morning around 7 AM. The 1-2 day delay after certification is pretty standard across the board. Pro tip: Set up a simple phone reminder for your certification day that says "payment coming in 2-3 days" - it completely eliminated my budget anxiety because I stopped wondering when money would show up. Also, your first 2-3 payments might be on weird days while your claim gets fully processed in their system, but after that it becomes super predictable. The fact that EDD doesn't explain this upfront is honestly frustrating, but once you know your pattern you can budget around it just like a regular job. You've got this!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just started collecting unemployment about 3 weeks ago and the payment timing has been completely unpredictable. My first payment came on a Thursday, second one on a Tuesday, and I've been driving myself crazy trying to figure out the pattern. After reading through all these responses, I finally understand that it's about the certification schedule, not specific weekdays! Just logged into my UI Online account and discovered I'm in Group 2 with Sunday certifications. Now I can actually plan my budget instead of just hoping money appears randomly. The Money Network text alert suggestion is brilliant - definitely setting that up today. And I love the idea of treating certification day as your mental "payday" even though the actual deposit comes 1-2 days later. That takes so much anxiety out of the waiting game. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and timelines. It's incredibly reassuring to know that the irregular payments at the beginning are totally normal while your claim gets established. Can't wait for my payment schedule to stabilize into that predictable routine everyone's talking about!

This is why I'm terrified of taking any side gigs while on unemployment... the reporting is so confusing and if you make a mistake they act like you committed fraud. Anyone else feel like the system is designed to trap people??

Thank you all for the helpful responses! Just to update - I reported the earnings for the week I did the work as suggested, and put down the contracting company as the employer. I'll keep track of everything in case there are any issues down the road. It's definitely stressful navigating this system but I feel better now knowing how to handle it correctly.

I'm dealing with a similar "able and available" issue right now and this thread has been so reassuring! I made the same mistake of being completely honest about my limitations - I had to attend physical therapy twice a week for a work injury and dutifully reported it on my certifications thinking that was what I was supposed to do. What really helped me was realizing that "able and available" doesn't mean you have to be available 24/7 - it means you're genuinely seeking work within your realistic constraints. I've been documenting everything: my PT schedule, job applications I submitted that worked around those appointments, and even emails from potential employers about scheduling interviews. One thing I learned from a friend who won her appeal: make sure to emphasize that your limitations were TEMPORARY and that you were actively seeking work that could accommodate them. The judge needs to see that you weren't just sitting around waiting for benefits - you were genuinely trying to get back into the workforce despite legitimate obstacles. Also, if you haven't already, check if your medical provider can write a brief letter stating that your appointments were necessary but didn't prevent you from working. My PT wrote one sentence saying the treatments were essential for my recovery but didn't impact my ability to perform most job functions. It's not required, but every piece of supporting evidence helps. Hang in there - being honest shouldn't be punished, and the appeals process is there for exactly these kinds of situations!

I'm currently preparing for my own EDD appeal hearing and this entire thread has been incredibly valuable - thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice! One additional resource I wanted to mention: the California Department of Industrial Relations has a free guide called "Representing Yourself at an EDD Appeal Hearing" that walks through the entire process step by step. You can find it on their website under the appeals section. It includes sample questions judges typically ask and guidance on how to organize your evidence. Also, for anyone dealing with medical appointment conflicts like several people mentioned here - I found out that EDD's own handbook states that claimants can have "reasonable restrictions" on their availability as long as they don't substantially reduce employment opportunities. This language might be helpful to reference during your hearing. The stress of this process is real, but seeing how many people have successfully navigated similar situations is really encouraging. It sounds like preparation and honest documentation are key. Wishing everyone the best with their appeals!

I'm a social worker and deal with this issue regularly when helping clients access their benefits. One method that's worked well is contacting your local Legal Aid office - many have EDD specialists who can help navigate these bureaucratic issues for free. They often have direct contacts at EDD offices and can sometimes get information requests processed faster than individual requests. Also, if your father is over 65, some Area Agency on Aging offices have benefit counselors who specialize in helping seniors with EDD problems. They're familiar with all the workarounds and can sometimes advocate directly with EDD on your behalf. It might be worth calling around to see what resources are available in your area. The system is definitely frustrating, but there are advocates out there who deal with this stuff daily and know how to get results.

I'm going through this exact same situation with my mom right now! Reading through all these suggestions has been incredibly helpful. We've been stuck for weeks trying to get her payment amount, but I didn't realize there were so many different approaches we could try. The notarized letter idea and contacting Legal Aid are things I never would have thought of. Has anyone had success with the Area Agency on Aging route that Maya mentioned? My mom is 71 and this whole process has been really stressful for her. It would be great to have an advocate who knows the EDD system help us navigate this mess.