Just a heads up - if you don't receive your Money Network card within 10 business days, you can actually request a replacement card online through the Money Network website or by calling their customer service line at 1-866-692-9374. They can also check if the card was delivered to your address. I had mine get lost in the mail once and they expedited a replacement for free. Also, pro tip: once you get the card, you can use it to make purchases immediately, but if you want to withdraw cash from an ATM, you'll need to set up a PIN first either online or by calling the number on the back of the card. The whole process is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of 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!

I've been having similar issues with EDD phone lines lately! What's worked for me is calling from a landline instead of my cell phone - sometimes mobile carriers have routing issues that can redirect you to weird places. Also, if you're still having trouble, try calling the 1-866-333-4606 number first (the automated line) and then transfer to speak with a representative from there. The automated system sometimes has better connection stability. Hope this helps and you get through soon!

I work at a phone company and can explain what might be happening! Sometimes scammers buy phone numbers that are very similar to legitimate government numbers (like changing one digit) and set up auto-dialers to catch people who misdial. They also sometimes hack into phone routing systems to redirect calls. If you're absolutely sure you're dialing the right number, try these steps: 1) Clear your phone's call history and contacts to make sure you're not auto-dialing a saved wrong number, 2) Try calling from a completely different phone/carrier, 3) Write the number down fresh from the EDD website rather than using saved contacts. Also, EDD usually posts service alerts on their website if there are known phone issues, so check ca.gov/edd for any announcements. Stay safe out there!

This thread is so timely for me! I'm actually on my very last week of benefits and just certified yesterday evening. After reading everyone's experiences here, I feel much more prepared for what to expect. It sounds like the key takeaway is that final payments can take 2-3 days instead of the usual 1-2 days, but as long as the UI Online status shows "paid," the money will definitely come through. I really appreciate everyone sharing their actual timelines - it's so much more helpful than the generic info on the EDD website. I'm bookmarking this thread and will definitely update if I experience any delays with my final payment. The Claimyr recommendation is also gold - I had no idea there were services to help skip those insane EDD hold times. Thanks to this community for always having each other's backs during these stressful times!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently in the middle of my claim and seeing everyone's experiences with final payments is really valuable information for when I get there. It's reassuring to know that the 2-3 day delay for final payments is normal and that the "paid" status in UI Online is the reliable indicator to trust. The Claimyr recommendation keeps coming up too - I'm definitely going to remember that for future reference since I've already experienced those brutal EDD hold times firsthand. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences and timelines. This community is such a lifesaver for navigating all the EDD quirks and uncertainties!

I went through this exact same thing back in October! Got my first payment, then the dreaded interview letter showed up. I was absolutely convinced they were going to make me pay everything back. Turns out my former employer had reported that I was "terminated" instead of "laid off" - which was technically correct since layoffs are a type of termination, but EDD needed to clarify the circumstances to make sure I didn't get fired for misconduct. The interview was honestly easier than I expected. The rep asked about my last day, why I left, and if I had any disciplinary issues. I explained the company downsizing situation and that was it - whole thing took maybe 12 minutes. My payments continued without any issues after that. My advice: Stay calm, be honest, and have any paperwork handy (layoff notice, final pay stub, etc.). The fact that they already approved and paid you once means you're likely fine - they just need to verify some details. Don't let the scary wording in the letter psych you out!

I'm a newcomer here but went through this EXACT situation just 3 months ago! Got my first payment on a Thursday, then got the interview notice the following Tuesday. I was absolutely terrified they were going to claw back the money. Turns out it was just routine verification - they wanted to confirm some dates because my employer's report had slightly different information than my application. The whole call lasted maybe 15 minutes and was way less scary than I built it up to be in my head. A few tips that helped me: 1) Write down your employment timeline before the call, 2) Have your phone charged and in a quiet spot, 3) Don't overthink it - if you were honest on your application, you'll be fine. The interviewer was actually really professional and understanding. The payments continued normally after that. Looking back, I wasted so much energy stressing about it! You're going to do great Tyler - the fact that you already got approved for one payment is actually a really good sign that your claim is solid.

UPDATE: I was able to get through to EDD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. The rep confirmed they received my appeal on Friday (4 days ago) and it's being processed! Such a relief. She said I should get the acknowledgment letter within 7-10 business days. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

That's awesome that you got confirmation! For anyone else in this situation, another option is to check with your local post office - if you remember roughly when you mailed it and which location, sometimes they can help track regular mail if it was processed recently. I had to do this once when I was worried about a time-sensitive document. Also, if you're still within your 30-day appeal window and haven't heard anything, you can always file a duplicate appeal with a note explaining you're unsure if the first one was received. Better safe than sorry!