Did you get this resolved? I'm curious if any of the suggestions worked for you. The Money Network card system has been a disaster for so many people during my time on unemployment.

Wow, what a nightmare you're going through! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my first card never showed up and I'm on day 8 waiting for the replacement. Reading through all these comments, it sounds like the Claimyr service might be worth trying to actually get through to someone at EDD who can help. The fact that your cards were returned to Money Network is really weird - makes me wonder if there's some issue with how they're addressing the mail. At least you got some answers though! Hopefully that third card with expedited shipping actually makes it to you. Keep us posted on how it goes - there are clearly a lot of people dealing with this same mess.

UPDATE: I wanted to follow up in case anyone else runs into this problem. I used the Claimyr service mentioned above and actually got through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes (after trying for 2 days on my own with no luck). The representative confirmed my payment was processed and requested expedited delivery for my Money Network card for a $15 fee. They said I should receive it within 3 business days. They also helped me set up direct deposit for future payments. Just wanted to share what worked for me - thanks everyone for your help!

That's awesome that you got it resolved! For anyone else dealing with this situation, I just want to add that I went through the same thing a few months ago and here are a couple additional tips: 1) You can track your Money Network card shipment once it's sent out by creating an account on the Money Network website - they'll give you a tracking number, 2) If you're really desperate for funds, some food banks and utility companies have emergency assistance programs specifically for people waiting on unemployment payments, and 3) Once you get your card, download the Money Network app immediately because it lets you check your balance instantly when payments hit (usually around 1-2 AM on payment days). The whole transition has been rough but at least the Money Network system seems more reliable than the old BofA setup once you actually get the card.

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! I'll definitely keep certifying until I get my first paycheck, and I'll make sure to accurately report my hours even before I get paid. I'll also take screenshots of everything just to be safe. Really appreciate all the tips - this community has been so helpful throughout my unemployment journey!

Congrats on the new job, Lucas! Just wanted to add one more tip that saved me - when you're reporting your work hours during certification, make sure you report the GROSS hours worked, not just the hours you'll be paid for. So if you work 40 hours but your employer doesn't pay for your lunch break, you still report 40 hours to EDD. I made this mistake in my first certification after getting hired and it caused some confusion later. Also, if your new job offers any training pay or signing bonuses, those count as earnings too and should be reported in the week you receive them. Good luck with the new position!

Just want to add another resource that helped me when I was dealing with EDD appeals last year - your local State Assembly member's district office can sometimes expedite things faster than you'd expect. I know Joshua mentioned they said it could take weeks, but if you emphasize that you're facing imminent eviction/hardship, they often have a direct line to EDD supervisors. Also, for anyone reading this thread in the future: DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Keep a log of every call you make, every voicemail you leave, every email you send. Include dates, times, and any reference numbers. If your case gets escalated or if there are issues with your hearing, having that paper trail can be crucial. The system is definitely broken, but persistence does pay off. I ended up winning my appeal after they initially said I was "fired for cause" when I was actually laid off due to budget cuts. The ALJ saw right through their BS once I had all my documentation organized properly.

This entire thread is incredibly helpful - I'm saving it for reference! Just wanted to add that if you're dealing with appeals, make sure to also request your complete claim file from EDD (form DE 8714). Sometimes there are notes or documents in your file that contradict what they told you during the interview, and having that full record can be crucial evidence for your hearing. Also, for anyone struggling with the phone system - I've found that calling on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 8:30-9:00am tends to have slightly better success rates than other days. Mondays and Fridays are usually impossible. The fact that Joshua's hearing was scheduled but no notice was sent is unfortunately becoming more common. I work in legal aid and we're seeing this happen to clients regularly - they're clearly overwhelmed and behind on their administrative tasks. Always assume your hearing might be scheduled even if you haven't gotten official notice yet.

For anyone still fighting this battle: document everything. Keep records of your call attempts, hold times, and any issues you encounter. File complaints with CFPB, your state representatives, and EDD. This system won't improve unless people make noise about it.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and support. Going to try Claimyr to reach EDD and get direct deposit set up. Lesson learned: avoid the EDD debit card if at all possible. The Money Network customer service situation is completely unacceptable.