UPDATE: My card arrived today! So it took exactly 6 business days from when my payment status changed to "paid". Just wanted to update in case anyone finds this thread later with the same question. The envelope is very plain and easy to miss, so check your mail carefully!

Congrats on getting your card so quickly! Just a heads up for anyone else reading this - when you do get your Money Network card, be really careful about the fees. They charge for a lot of things like ATM withdrawals at non-network ATMs, balance inquiries, etc. I'd recommend transferring your funds to your regular bank account ASAP to avoid those fees. You can do free transfers through the Money Network website or app. Also keep the card though because future payments will keep going to it!

UPDATE: I tried the Claimyr service that was mentioned earlier, and I gotta say, it actually worked. Got connected to an EDD rep in about 45 minutes, and they updated my email on the spot. I was able to log in immediately after. Just wanted to follow up in case anyone else is dealing with this issue!

Pro tip for anyone else dealing with this - I had a similar situation last month and found out you can also try reaching out to your state assemblyperson's office! They often have dedicated EDD liaisons who can help expedite these kinds of account issues. I called my assemblyperson's constituent services and they were able to get my email updated within 2 business days. It's worth a shot if the other methods don't work out!

My claim took exactly 17 days from application to approval back in January. Be patient but definitely call if it goes past 3 weeks with no updates.

I'm going through the same anxiety right now! Filed my application about 2 weeks ago after getting laid off from my retail job and still waiting to hear back. From what I'm seeing in these responses, it sounds like the timeframe really varies - some people get approved in under 2 weeks while others wait over a month. I've been checking my UI Online account obsessively every day but so far just shows "Pending." At least we're not alone in this stressful waiting period! Fingers crossed we both hear back soon.

Just wanted to add that timing can be really important here. Make sure you apply for UI as soon as your PFL claim ends - don't wait weeks thinking about it because there could be gaps in coverage that affect your benefit year. Also, when they ask about your work search during certification, make sure you can show you've been actively looking since you became available again (not while you were still on PFL obviously). I've seen people get tripped up because they waited too long to transition between programs or couldn't prove they were genuinely available for work immediately after their caregiving responsibilities ended. Document everything and keep records of when your dad's new care arrangements started - that date is crucial for showing when you became available for employment again.

I went through almost the exact same transition about 6 months ago! One thing that really helped me was keeping a detailed journal of my caregiving situation and the transition period. When I had my eligibility interview, I was able to provide specific dates for when my father's condition changed, when we started looking for alternative care, and when the new arrangements were finalized. This documentation helped prove that I had a legitimate reason for leaving work initially and a clear timeline for when I became available again. Also, don't stress too much about the system showing "looks like you applied for family leave" - that's just their way of flagging that you have multiple claims in the system. The interviewer will walk through your situation step by step. Just remember to emphasize that your circumstances have changed and you're now fully available and actively seeking employment. They're used to handling these transitions, even though the process can feel overwhelming from your end!

I went through this same situation just two months ago and want to echo what everyone is saying - definitely wait until January 16th to file your new claim. I know the waiting period without income is terrifying, but I learned the hard way that EDD's system is very strict about benefit year end dates. One thing that really helped me during the gap was reaching out to local community resources early. Many cities have emergency assistance programs for people between jobs, and some churches or community centers offer temporary help with groceries or utilities. I also signed up for local food banks before I actually needed them, which saved me a lot of stress later. Also, when you do file on the 16th, take screenshots of every page of your application before you submit it. If there are any technical issues or if EDD asks you to clarify something later, having those screenshots can save you a lot of time trying to remember what you entered. The processing took about 3 weeks for me, but once it was approved, everything went smoothly. Just remember to certify for benefits as soon as your new claim becomes active, even if payments are still showing as pending. Good luck - you'll get through this!

I went through this exact same situation last summer and can confirm what everyone is saying - you absolutely must wait until after your benefit year ends to file. I tried calling EDD beforehand to ask about filing early and they specifically told me NOT to do it because it would cause system errors. What really helped me was creating a "gap survival plan" about a month before my BYE date. I applied for CalFresh, contacted my landlord to explain the situation (they were understanding about a potential late rent payment), and even picked up a few small gig jobs to have some income during the waiting period. The processing took exactly 18 days for me, which felt like forever but was actually pretty typical. One tip that saved me time - when I filed my new claim on the day after my BYE date, I had all my employer information organized in a spreadsheet with exact dates and wages. This made filling out the application much faster and I think helped avoid any delays from missing or incorrect information. Also, don't panic if your new weekly benefit amount is different from your old claim - they recalculate based on your most recent base period wages. Just focus on getting through the application process correctly and the payments will start flowing again once it's approved.