I actually tried the multiple ATM approach when I was in a similar bind a few months ago. I was able to get $1000 from a Bank of America ATM around 2pm, then went to a Wells Fargo ATM around 6pm the same day and got another $500 (not the full $1000 though). I think it might have worked because they're on different networks, but honestly I'm not 100% sure if it was just luck or if there's actually a strategy there. The limits seem pretty inconsistent overall. If you're really tight on time and need the full $1800 fast, you might want to try hitting 2-3 different bank ATMs throughout the day and see what happens. Just make sure to space them out by a few hours. But definitely still set up that bank transfer as your backup plan since that's the most reliable long-term solution!

I've been dealing with Money Network cards for over a year now and wanted to share what I've learned about maximizing your withdrawal options when you need larger amounts quickly. The key thing to understand is that different ATM networks often have different daily limit tracking systems. I've successfully withdrawn $1000 from a Chase ATM in the morning, then another $800-900 from a credit union ATM later the same day. The trick is to avoid ATMs from the same bank/network and space them out by at least 4-6 hours. Also, if you're really in a pinch, some grocery stores like Safeway or Kroger will let you get cash back up to $200-300 with a small purchase, and this doesn't always count against your ATM withdrawal limit since it's processed as a purchase transaction. Between ATM withdrawals and cash back options, I've managed to get around $1500 in cash in a single day when I absolutely had to. Just make sure to keep your receipts and track everything so you know how much you've accessed!

I've been following this thread closely because I'm dealing with the exact same "service not available" error right now! It's honestly amazing how many different solutions everyone has found - it really shows just how broken Money Network's security system is when there are like 15 different workarounds needed. I'm going to start with the simple browser switch that worked for @Natasha Romanova, then try the wired connection fix from @Landon Morgan if that doesn't work. The antivirus interference issue that @Malik Johnson mentioned is really eye-opening too - I have Norton running and never thought it could be silently blocking Money Network's scripts. What's really frustrating is that Money Network and EDD act like these issues don't exist, but clearly tons of people are struggling with the same problems. This community thread has been more helpful than any official customer service! I'm definitely going to bookmark all these solutions and that backup phone number (1-866-320-8699) because it seems like this is an ongoing issue that keeps happening to people. Has anyone successfully gotten through to EDD to complain about how unreliable Money Network has become? It feels like they need to hear from more people about these widespread access problems, but I'm not holding my breath that they'll actually do anything about it. 😤

I've been dealing with similar Money Network access issues for months now and want to add one more solution that's worked for me multiple times. If you're still getting the "service not available" error after trying all the browser fixes, check if your computer's DNS settings are using your ISP's default servers. I switched to using Google's public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare's (1.1.1.1) and that resolved the issue immediately. Apparently some ISP DNS servers get flagged by Money Network's overly paranoid security system. You can change this in your network adapter settings or router configuration. Also, I've noticed that if you get locked out, waiting exactly 24 hours before trying again seems to work better than repeatedly attempting to log in. Their system appears to have some kind of "cooldown period" that gets extended if you keep trying too soon. It's absolutely insane that we need to become network engineers just to access our unemployment benefits, but hopefully this helps someone avoid the panic and frustration I went through! Keep that backup phone number handy (1-866-320-8699) - it's been a lifesaver when all else fails.

Just wanted to jump in as someone who's been lurking in this community for a while - I finally got through to EDD last week after my claim was pending for 6 weeks! I used the 1-2-4 sequence at exactly 8:01am on a Thursday morning and it actually worked. The key is to press those numbers immediately when you hear the automated voice start, don't wait even a second. I also had my phone on speaker which seemed to help with the tone recognition. Once I got through, I specifically asked for a Tier 2 specialist like someone mentioned earlier, and they were able to resolve my identity verification issue in about 15 minutes. The whole experience was still frustrating, but at least there's light at the end of the tunnel! For anyone still struggling, definitely try multiple strategies and don't give up. The Thursday morning timing seemed to make a real difference - way fewer busy signals than when I tried calling on Mondays or Tuesdays.

I'm new to this community but definitely not new to the EDD frustration! I've been stuck with a pending claim for about 4 weeks now and that automated message is driving me absolutely insane. I must have called 40+ times and I swear I could recite every word of that recording by now. Reading through all these tips has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the 1-2-4 sequence or the timing strategies. I'm definitely going to try calling at exactly 8:01am tomorrow with the number sequence trick, and if that doesn't work, I'll give the disability line transfer method a shot. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to become phone system experts just to get information about our own benefits, but I'm grateful this community exists to share these workarounds. The financial stress while waiting with zero communication from EDD is really overwhelming. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it helps so much to know I'm not alone in dealing with this broken system!

Yes! Turns out there was an identity verification flag on my account even though I had completed the ID.me process. The representative said sometimes there's a disconnect between the ID.me system and the EDD database. She was able to manually verify my identity and remove the flag. She also suggested I check my spam folder regularly because apparently they had sent me an email about this that I never saw!

Congratulations on getting through, Rachel! Your success story gives me hope. I've been dealing with the same pending status issue for over a month now. Based on what you shared about the ID.me disconnect, I'm wondering if that might be my problem too. Did the representative give you any way to check if there are similar flags on an account before calling? I want to be prepared when I finally get through to someone. Also, thanks to everyone who shared the phone number and timing tips - I'm going to try the 8:01am strategy tomorrow!

I just wanted to add my voice to all the encouragement here! I had my EDD eligibility interview for a similar workplace stress situation about 10 months ago and was approved. Reading through your post, you actually have better documentation than most people do - those HR emails, the medical accommodation request, and the denial are exactly what EDD looks for. One thing that really helped me was writing out a simple timeline beforehand: when the problems started, when I tried to address them, when I sought medical help, when I requested accommodation, when it was denied, and when I finally quit. Having that clear sequence ready kept me focused during the interview. The interviewer will likely ask about "constructive alternatives" - basically whether you explored other options before quitting. The fact that you specifically requested a reasonable accommodation (reduced schedule) based on medical recommendations and were denied is huge. That shows you tried to preserve your employment despite the health impacts. Also, don't worry about not having a document explicitly telling you to quit. The medical note recommending reduced hours that was then denied by your employer actually creates a stronger narrative - it shows they were unwilling to make reasonable accommodations for documented health impacts. You're going to do great on Monday! Make sure to use phrases like "good cause," "no reasonable alternative," and emphasize that you "exhausted all reasonable remedies" before quitting. You've got solid documentation and a clear case. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I'm scheduled for an EDD eligibility interview this Thursday for a very similar situation - quit my retail management position after 18 months due to a hostile supervisor who constantly undermined me in front of customers and staff. Reading through all these responses has given me so much hope and practical guidance! Your situation sounds really strong, especially with the HR documentation and denied medical accommodation. I've been researching California's "good cause" standards and it seems like EDD specifically recognizes workplace conditions that would cause a reasonable person to quit, particularly when health impacts are documented and the employee tried to resolve issues through proper channels first. One thing I learned that might help: if you have any performance reviews or emails that show you were a good employee before the toxic treatment started, that can help establish that the problem was the work environment, not your performance. It helps counter any potential claims from your employer that you were terminated for cause. Also, I've been practicing explaining my situation in under 5 minutes - hitting the key points without getting bogged down in every detail. The timeline approach others mentioned is really helpful for staying focused. The fact that you took medical leave, got a doctor's recommendation for reduced hours, formally requested that accommodation, and were denied despite medical backing creates exactly the kind of "good cause" case EDD is designed to protect. You clearly tried everything reasonable before quitting. Wishing you the best of luck on Monday! Please update us - your experience will definitely help others in similar situations.