One more thing - when your Money Network card arrives, make sure to activate it immediately AND set up your PIN. I've seen many people delay activation and then face problems when they need to use the card. Also, keep the letter it comes with since it has your account info you'll need for setting up direct deposit later.

Just went through this same situation a few weeks ago! Your old BofA card is definitely dead - EDD completely switched over to Money Network in 2022. The good news is they should automatically mail you the new Money Network card within 5-7 business days after your first payment shows as "paid" (which yours already does). One thing I wish someone had told me - you can actually track your card shipment! Once Money Network processes your card request, they'll send you a text with tracking info if you have your phone number on file with EDD. Also, pro tip: as soon as you get the card, activate it AND immediately set up direct deposit through UI Online. It'll save you so much hassle for future payments. The direct deposit usually kicks in for your next certification cycle, so you won't have to deal with waiting for cards again. Hang in there - I know waiting for that first payment is stressful, especially when you've got rent due!

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm going to try activating my card by phone today using the number on the back and make sure I have my SSN and birthdate ready. I'll also set up those text alerts that someone mentioned - sounds like a good security feature. It's definitely nerve-wracking dealing with all this unemployment stuff, but I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!

Good luck with your activation! Just a heads up - after you activate and set up your PIN, I'd recommend doing a small test transaction first (like checking your balance at an ATM) before making any big purchases. That way you can make sure everything is working properly. Also, if you run into any issues during activation, don't panic - sometimes their system is just slow or temporarily down. Give it a few hours and try again before assuming there's a problem with your account info.

Thanks everyone for clearing this up. Still sucks but at least now I know what happened and can adjust my budget accordingly. Wish they would make this more obvious when you first apply instead of letting people find out when they're already counting on that money.

I totally understand your frustration Maria! The waiting week caught me off guard too when I first filed. One small tip that might help - if you're struggling with the lost week's income, some local food banks and community assistance programs don't require a long application process and can help bridge the gap until your next payment. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're claiming the maximum weekly benefit amount you're eligible for. You can check this in your UI Online account under "Claim Summary" to see your Weekly Benefit Amount. Every dollar counts when you're dealing with this kind of financial stress!

Just wanted to add - when you apply for CTB, make sure your program is on their eligible training provider list (ETPL). Most community college vocational programs qualify, but it's worth checking before you start. If you're unsure, you can call EDD or check their website. Also, keep documentation of everything - your application, course schedule, any communications with EDD. It'll help if there are any questions later. Good luck with your training program! It's a smart move to use this time to build new skills.

I went through a similar situation last year when I started a welding program while on UI. The key is being completely transparent with EDD - I reported my school attendance from day one and had zero issues. My benefits continued because I was available for work during regular hours (my classes were also evenings). One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - when you fill out the DE 1906 form, be very specific about your availability. List your exact hours when you can work, not just "weekdays." For example, "Monday-Friday 8am-5pm" is better than "weekdays." This helps EDD clearly see you're still available for full-time work. The CTB program was a game changer for me - no more work search requirements meant I could focus on my studies. My approval took about 2 weeks. Now I'm working in a much better paying field thanks to that training. Don't let fear stop you from improving your situation!

Alguien sabe si puedo usar la tarjeta de desempleo en el extranjero? Estoy pensando en visitar a mi familia mientras busco trabajo.

¡Hola Zara! Me pasó exactamente lo mismo el año pasado. Después de ser aprobada, esperé como 3 semanas y nada. Resulta que mi tarjeta se había quedado trabada en el sistema por un error en mi dirección (tenían mal escrito el número de mi apartamento). Te recomiendo que llames al 1-866-333-4606 - es el número directo para tarjetas EDD. Sí, vas a esperar un rato en línea, pero vale la pena. Cuando logres hablar con alguien, pídeles que verifiquen tu dirección y el estado de tu tarjeta. También pueden expeditar el envío si ya pasaron más de 2 semanas. ¡No te rindas! A veces hay que insistir un poco pero eventualmente lo resuelves. Espero que tengas suerte 🤞