I went through this exact same nightmare last year and I totally understand the panic you're feeling right now! That "applied to your disqualification" language is absolutely terrifying when you first see it, but everyone here is giving you solid advice - it's NOT a permanent denial. I got 3 penalty weeks for forgetting to report some on-call pay from my previous job. The whole experience taught me that EDD's system is designed to be confusing and scary, but once you understand what's happening, it becomes manageable. During my penalty weeks, I kept a simple journal where I wrote down my daily job search activities and any communications with EDD - it helped me stay organized and gave me something productive to focus on instead of just worrying. The hardest part is definitely the financial stress, but there are resources out there to help bridge the gap. I also want to add that when your penalty period ends, make absolutely sure your first certification goes through smoothly. I recommend calling the day after you certify (once your penalty weeks are served) just to confirm everything processed correctly. Some people have reported glitches where the system doesn't automatically switch them back to payable status. You're going to get through this - 5 weeks feels like forever when you're stressed about money, but it really is temporary!

I just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I went through something very similar about 8 months ago - got penalty weeks for not reporting some freelance graphic design work I did during my first week of unemployment. Like so many of you, I completely panicked when I saw that "applied to your disqualification" message and thought my entire claim was toast. I ended up serving 6 penalty weeks, which was financially devastating at the time, but I can confirm that benefits DO resume normally once you complete the penalty period. A few things that helped me survive those weeks: 1) I reached out to local churches and community centers - many have emergency assistance funds that don't require you to jump through tons of hoops, 2) I signed up for gig work like DoorDash to bring in some income (just make sure to report it accurately when you certify!), and 3) I used the time to really beef up my job search strategy since I had to document activities anyway. The most important thing is to keep certifying every two weeks no matter what - I almost missed one certification because I was so demoralized, but thankfully remembered at the last minute. One silver lining: going through this experience made me incredibly careful about reporting everything accurately, which actually helped me avoid issues later when I had some irregular part-time work. Hang in there everyone - this really is temporary even though it feels endless when you're living it!

@OP - I know several people mentioned calling EDD at 8:01am, but honestly, that trick doesn't always work anymore because EVERYONE tries it. That's why I ended up using Claimyr - couldn't get through on my own after trying for days with the early morning trick. Just wanted to give you a realistic expectation so you're not discouraged if the 8:01 method doesn't work.

So glad you got through to EDD! That's a huge relief. Just wanted to add a few things that helped me when I went through this same situation: 1. When you submit the police report to Money Network, also email a copy to their fraud department (not just the online form) - it creates a paper trail 2. Ask EDD for the confirmation number of your emergency payment request - you'll need it if you have to follow up 3. Consider freezing your credit reports with all 3 bureaus since the scammers had enough info to impersonate you The whole process is incredibly stressful but you're doing everything right. Keep copies of EVERYTHING - every form, every confirmation number, every email. Document all your phone calls too (date, time, who you spoke with). This saved me when Money Network tried to claim I hadn't followed proper procedures. You've got this! The emergency payment should help cover your immediate needs while everything gets sorted out.

I've been dealing with Money Network issues on and off for over a year now, and this thread is like a goldmine of solutions! One thing I wanted to add that helped me recently - if you're still getting authentication errors after trying all the basic fixes, check if your Money Network card has expired or is close to expiring. I was pulling my hair out trying every troubleshooting step when it turned out my card had expired the month before and I never got the replacement in the mail. You can check your card expiration date in your EDD online account under payment history, and if it's expired you need to call EDD (not Money Network) to request a new card. It takes about 7-10 business days to arrive. In the meantime, you can still access funds through the ATM withdrawal method that someone mentioned earlier. It's such a simple thing but easy to overlook when you're focused on app troubleshooting. Just wanted to throw that out there in case it helps someone avoid the hours of frustration I went through! This whole thread should honestly be pinned at the top of the community - it's better tech support than anything EDD provides.

This thread is absolutely incredible - I've been dealing with Money Network authentication errors for the past 3 days and was starting to panic about my bills. Reading through everyone's solutions has given me so much hope and a clear troubleshooting path to follow. I'm planning to try the delete/reinstall method first thing tomorrow morning around 7 AM (thanks for the timing tip!), make sure I'm on stable WiFi with VPN off, close all my banking apps, and clear the cache completely. If that doesn't work, I'll switch to the website version which seems to be way more reliable based on everyone's experiences here. The expired card check is brilliant too - I'm definitely going to verify that in my EDD account before I start troubleshooting the app. And knowing about the 24-hour security flag lockout could save me from making things worse by trying too many times in a row. It's honestly both heartbreaking and amazing to see how this community has had to become our own tech support for a system that should just work. But I'm so grateful for everyone sharing their hard-won solutions. This thread is literally helping people keep their homes and pay their bills when the official system fails them. Thank you all! 🙏

I'm dealing with EDD card fraud too and wanted to share something that helped me - if you're having trouble getting through to EDD by phone, try calling right at 8:00 AM when they open. I set multiple alarms and called exactly at 8 and got through on my third try. Also, when you do get someone on the line, immediately ask them to put a "priority flag" on your case due to financial hardship. They can do this and it supposedly moves you up in the queue for resolution. Another thing - keep calling Money Network every few days for updates. I noticed they moved faster on my case when I was consistently following up. And definitely ask for supervisor if the regular rep can't give you a timeline. Don't let them brush you off with "we'll call you back" - they never do. Sending you good vibes that this gets resolved quickly! The whole system is broken but you will get your money back eventually.

This is absolutely infuriating but unfortunately very common right now. I work for a nonprofit that helps people navigate EDD issues, and we've seen a huge spike in Money Network fraud cases since the holidays. Here's what I tell everyone: 1. Don't just rely on Money Network - also file a complaint with the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) online. This creates a paper trail and sometimes gets faster results. 2. Contact your state assemblyperson's office. Many have constituent services that can intervene with EDD on your behalf - it's free and surprisingly effective. 3. If you're facing eviction or utilities being shut off, apply for emergency rental assistance through your county immediately. Don't wait for the fraud to be resolved. 4. Document your financial hardship in writing and submit it with all your fraud paperwork. This can help expedite the process. The fact that they're only leaving you $16 while they "investigate" is cruel. Push hard on that Regulation E requirement for provisional credit that others mentioned - you have rights here and they're banking on you not knowing them. Stay strong and keep fighting this!

For anyone still waiting for their card, I wanted to share a few additional tips that helped me: 1. Check your EDD account online to make sure your mailing address is 100% correct - even small errors can delay delivery. I had to update mine because my apartment number was missing. 2. If you live in an apartment or have issues with mail delivery, consider having it sent to a trusted friend or family member's house with more reliable mail service. You can update your address in your EDD account. 3. The Money Network website (separate from the app) also has useful features like ATM locators and account management if you prefer using a computer. One more thing - I noticed some people mentioning delays with transfers. In my experience, transfers initiated before 5 PM PT on business days typically complete the next business day, but weekend transfers don't start processing until Monday. Hope this helps anyone still navigating the process!

I've been following this thread and want to add something that might help others - if you're concerned about missing the card in your mail, you can actually sign up for Informed Delivery through USPS. It's free and sends you email previews of mail that's coming to your address each day. That way you'll know when to expect the plain white envelope from Tennessee! Also, for anyone worried about the timeline, I just want to echo what others have said - the "7-10 business days" is pretty accurate. Mine arrived on day 9. The key is counting BUSINESS days from when EDD actually processes your first payment, not from when you first applied or got approved. One last tip: once you do get the card and set up the app, take a screenshot of the customer service number and save it in your phone. Much easier than hunting for it if you ever need support!