I see a lot of confusion in this thread between EDD and Money Network responsibilities. To clarify: - EDD processes your claim and approves payments - Money Network issues and manages the debit cards - They're separate entities with separate customer service systems For card issues (never received, lost, stolen), always contact Money Network directly at 1-866-692-9374. Their hours are 24/7, unlike EDD. For claim issues (payment amounts, disqualifications), contact EDD. OP, once you get your card situation resolved, I strongly recommend switching to direct deposit through your UI Online account. It's much more reliable and funds typically appear 1-2 days after payments are approved.

So glad to see this got resolved! Your experience perfectly illustrates why it's so important to distinguish between EDD and Money Network issues. For anyone else reading this thread who might face similar problems, here are the key takeaways: 1) Always call Money Network directly for card issues - they're available 24/7 unlike EDD, 2) Double-check that your full address (including apartment/unit numbers) is correct in both systems, 3) Don't wait more than 10 business days before requesting a replacement, and 4) Switch to direct deposit ASAP to avoid these headaches entirely. The Money Network transfer feature is also a great backup option once you have account access. Thanks for updating us on the resolution - it'll definitely help others in similar situations!

One last thing - once your claim is approved, certifying is much smoother now. The UI Online portal got a major update in 2024 and it's actually functional now (shocking, I know!). You can even use the mobile app for certifications which is WAY easier than the old system. Just make sure notifications are enabled so you don't miss your certification dates.

Just wanted to add that if you're in tech like me, make sure to look into the California Training Benefits (CTB) program while you're on unemployment. I used it during my claim last year to get AWS certifications which definitely helped me land interviews faster. You can get approved for up to 104 weeks of training benefits if you're learning skills for a high-demand occupation. The approval process takes a few extra weeks but it's worth it if you want to upskill while job hunting. Plus your weekly benefits continue during approved training so you're not losing money while learning new tech skills.

I don't think it's technically "wrongful termination" because California is an at-will state so they can fire you anytime for almost any reason (except discrimination). But you can DEFINITELY get unemployment! That's exactly what it's for - when you lose your job through no fault of your own.

I'm new to this whole unemployment process, but reading through everyone's responses is really reassuring! I'm in a similar boat - got let go from my marketing job last week for "performance issues" but never had any formal warnings or documentation. My manager just said I wasn't meeting unspecified expectations. It's so frustrating when they can't even tell you what you supposedly did wrong! I'm definitely going to apply for EDD benefits based on all the advice here. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know I'm not alone in this situation.

I want to thank everyone for all this helpful information! I've been taking notes and have a much better plan now. I'm going to: 1. Contact my county welfare office about CalWORKs Stage 1 childcare 2. Reach out to the local R&R agency for subsidized options 3. Be honest on my certification and prepare for the eligibility interview 4. Gather all my documentation showing childcare costs and search efforts 5. Try to get through to an EDD rep for specific guidance on my situation I feel so much more prepared now. I'll update this thread once I've had my interview to let everyone know how it went!

Just wanted to add another resource that might help - many community colleges in California have childcare centers that offer sliding scale fees based on income. Even if you're not enrolled as a student, some centers have spots available for community members. It's worth calling around to community colleges in your area to ask about their childcare programs. Also, some faith-based organizations offer affordable childcare even if you're not a member. The key is to cast a wide net and document every inquiry you make - this documentation will be crucial for your EDD interview. I've seen people get approved when they could show they contacted 15+ childcare providers and documented the costs/availability issues.

One more tip: if you have a complex issue (like identity verification or appeal questions), calling the main line might not help even if you get through. In that case, try these specialized numbers: - For ID.me verification issues: 1-866-401-2849 - For Money Network card problems: 1-866-320-8699 - For overpayment questions: 1-800-676-5737 Also, sometimes the foreign language lines have shorter waits. You can request an English-speaking rep after connecting.

I feel your pain! Just went through this same nightmare last month. Here's what finally worked for me: I used the "comma trick" - call 1-800-300-5616, then when you hear the first menu press 1,2,1 really quickly with commas in between (like 1,,2,,1). The commas create pauses that help you get through the system faster. Also try calling at 8:02 AM exactly - I read somewhere that their system resets right after 8 and there's a brief window before it gets overloaded again. Took me 15 tries but I got through! Don't give up, you've got this! 🙏