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!

I just went through this exact situation last month! My card took 6 business days to arrive after approval, which was actually faster than I expected based on what I'd read online. A couple of things that helped me during the waiting period: - Like others mentioned, definitely check your UI Online account regularly - seeing that "Paid" status gave me peace of mind even before the card arrived - I called my landlord and explained the situation. Most are understanding about unemployment delays if you communicate early rather than waiting until the due date - The card really does come in a plain white envelope that looks like junk mail - I was checking my mailbox obsessively and almost missed it! Once you get it, activation is pretty straightforward through the Money Network website. You'll need your SSN and some personal info. The whole process took me maybe 10 minutes online. Fingers crossed yours arrives on the earlier side of that 7-10 day window! The waiting is definitely the worst part.

I'm in almost the exact same boat as you! Just got approved yesterday too and my rent is due in about 2 weeks. Reading through all these responses is making me feel a bit better - sounds like most people get theirs within that 7-10 day window. I'm going to follow the advice here and check my UI Online account daily to watch for that "Paid" status, and definitely going to be extra careful about checking all my mail. The fact that you already see a payment issued is a really good sign! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for both of us that our cards arrive closer to the 6-8 day mark rather than the 10+ day horror stories. This whole process is so stressful when you're cutting it close financially. Thanks for asking this question - the responses have been super helpful!

Update: My Money Network card just arrived today! Took exactly 8 calendar days from when my payment showed as 'paid' in the system. Thanks everyone for the help and information. For anyone else wondering about timeframes, 7-10 days seems to be pretty accurate based on my experience.

Glad everything worked out for you! For future reference, if anyone else is dealing with this situation and needs the money urgently, you can also call Money Network directly to check if your card has been shipped and get a tracking number. They're usually much easier to reach than EDD and can tell you exactly where your card is in the mail system. Also worth noting that once you get your first card, any replacement cards (if lost/stolen) typically arrive much faster - usually 2-3 business days with expedited shipping.

Just a follow-up since my earlier solution worked for you - after you get this resolved, I STRONGLY recommend setting up direct deposit through the Money Network portal rather than using the card. It takes about 5-7 business days to process the change, but then your funds go straight to your regular bank account rather than dealing with the card. Also, document EVERYTHING. Take screenshots of your UI Online payment history showing 'paid' status, note the times/dates you call Money Network, and get the names of any representatives you speak with. This documentation can be crucial if you need to escalate your case.

I went through this EXACT same nightmare 2 months ago! My payment was stuck for almost 3 weeks and I was losing my mind. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Called Money Network and asked for a "payment trace" (like Nathan mentioned) - they confirmed the payment was sent from EDD but never reached my card 2. Got documentation from Money Network showing the failed transfer 3. Called EDD with that documentation and they were able to see the issue immediately 4. The EDD rep had to "reverse and reissue" the payment because it got lost somewhere in their system The whole process took about 5 days once I had the right documentation, but the money finally showed up. The EDD rep told me this is happening A LOT with the Money Network transition and they're working on fixes. Pro tip: When you call EDD, mention you have "Money Network payment trace documentation" - it seemed to help get me transferred to someone who actually knew how to handle these cases. Good luck!

wait so do I need to go back and fix my old certifications where I only reported the hours on my paystub? or just do it right going forward?

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation working as a freelance photographer where I get paid per shoot but the hours vary wildly. Some shoots are 12+ hours but my invoices just show "1 day" or a flat rate. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like the key is reporting actual hours worked since that's what determines your availability for other employment. I've been stressing about this for weeks thinking I might mess up my certification. @Connor Richards thanks for posting this and following up with the EDD confirmation - super helpful to know they actually have guidance for these situations!