Can new EDD Money Network cards be linked to Cash App or Venmo? Need transfer options

I tried linking my Money Network card to Venmo last month and it wouldn't work. EDD's prepaid cards have restrictions that prevent them from being added to most digital payment apps for security reasons. Your best option is to transfer the funds directly to your bank account through the Money Network mobile app or website. There's no fee for that and it usually takes 1-3 business days. You get one free ATM withdrawal per deposit period at in-network ATMs (look for AllPoint or MoneyPass logos).

DONT DO IT!!!! even if u could get it to work (which u probably cant) its AGAINST THE TERMS OF SERVICE for the card!!! my cousin tried something similar last year and EDD froze his entire account for like 3 weeks while they investigated!!!! just use the card for normal purchases or transfer to ur bank like a normal person. not worth the risk!!!

i use mine at walmart all the time no problems

I had the same question when I got my card a few months ago. After some research and talking to a Money Network representative, I found out that these cards are designed with specific security measures that block them from being added to most digital payment apps. The best method is to set up a direct transfer to your bank account through the Money Network portal. It's free and secure. One thing to note - the first time you do this, you'll need to verify your bank account with two small test deposits, which takes 2-3 business days. After that, transfers are much faster (usually next day if initiated before 10:30am PT). FYI - there's a $1,000 daily transfer limit and $5,000 monthly limit for most accounts.

@user8 - Yes, absolutely! Setting up direct deposit is the most convenient option. Log into your UI Online account, go to 'Payment Information' and select 'Change Payment Method'. You'll need your bank routing/account numbers. All future payments will bypass the card entirely and go straight to your bank account. Takes about 1-2 payment cycles to activate after you set it up.

Trying to reach anyone at EDD to ask about this is nearly impossible! I spent 3 whole days calling about a similar issue with my card and kept getting that message saying "we're experiencing high call volume" before it hung up on me. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person at EDD. They have this service that gets you connected to an EDD rep usually within an hour instead of having to make 50+ calls yourself. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep I talked to confirmed that trying to link these cards to payment apps can trigger security flags. Better to just transfer to your bank or use the card directly for purchases.

@user3 Yes, the EDD rep explained that the restrictions are to prevent fraud. Apparently there were a lot of scams during COVID where people would try to quickly move unemployment funds through multiple payment apps to make them harder to trace. That's why they tightened the security on these cards. She said the safest options are either direct bank transfers or using the card for regular purchases.

my card from edd had a chip issue and wasnt working at stores. took me 2 weeks to get a replacement and i couldnt access any of my unemployment money that whole time!!! sooo frustrating. i recommend always transfering the money to ur bank asap so ur not relying on that stupid card.

Just to address the original question more directly - I confirmed with Money Network customer service that their prepaid cards specifically block certain MCC codes (Merchant Category Codes) that are associated with person-to-person payment services. This includes Cash App, Venmo, PayPal (when sending to individuals), and similar services. This is actually written in their cardholder agreement, though it's buried in the fine print. This isn't unique to EDD cards - many government-issued prepaid cards have similar restrictions. The restriction exists because these platforms could potentially be used for money laundering or to circumvent the fraud detection systems built into the card program. To summarize your options: 1. Transfer to a bank account via the Money Network portal/app (free) 2. Set up direct deposit for future payments (best long-term solution) 3. Use the card directly for purchases and bills (no fees) 4. ATM withdrawals (free at in-network ATMs, once per deposit period

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me - if you need cash quickly, you can also get cash back when making purchases at most grocery stores, pharmacies, and big box retailers with your EDD card. Places like Walmart, Target, CVS, and most grocery chains will let you get cash back (usually up to $100) when you buy something, even if it's just a pack of gum. This way you avoid ATM fees entirely if you're not near an in-network ATM. Just make sure to keep your receipts in case EDD ever asks for documentation of your transactions.

Great tip about cash back at stores! I didn't even think of that option. One thing I'd add from my experience - if you do use the card for regular purchases, make sure to keep track of your balance through the Money Network app or website. The card doesn't always decline when you're close to your limit, and going over can trigger a small overdraft fee (I think it's like $1.50). Also, some gas stations put a temporary hold of $75-100 when you pay at the pump, so if your balance is low, it might decline even if you have enough for the actual purchase. Learned that the hard way when I was trying to put $20 in gas and got declined because the hold would have put me over my available balance.

Another thing to watch out for - some online retailers and subscription services will decline EDD cards even for legitimate purchases. I tried to pay for my phone bill online with mine and it got rejected, but it worked fine when I called and paid over the phone with a representative. Same thing happened when I tried to order groceries for delivery - the card was declined online but worked perfectly when I went to the store in person. I think their fraud detection systems are pretty aggressive with these government-issued cards. If you run into issues with online purchases, try calling the merchant directly or making the purchase in person instead.

I'm new to using the EDD Money Network card and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was also wondering about linking it to payment apps but now I understand why that's not possible. One question I have - for those who've set up the direct bank transfer through the Money Network app, how long did it actually take for your first transfer to go through? I'm seeing conflicting info about whether it's 1-3 days or if there are additional delays for first-time transfers. Also, has anyone had issues with their bank rejecting the transfer on their end? My credit union is pretty small so I want to make sure they'll accept transfers from Money Network before I go through the setup process. Thanks in advance!

I work at a small credit union and can confirm that we process ACH transfers from Money Network/Metabank without any issues. Most financial institutions accept these transfers since they're standard ACH transactions. The verification process with the micro deposits is pretty standard - we see those come through all the time from various prepaid card companies. One tip: when you're setting up the transfer, make sure you use your account number exactly as it appears on your checks or bank statements. Sometimes people accidentally add extra zeros or spaces which can cause the setup to fail. Also, if your credit union uses a different name on statements than their common name, use whatever appears on your actual account documents. The transfer usually processes faster if you initiate it before noon on business days. Hope this helps ease your concerns about the process!

Just wanted to share my recent experience for anyone still reading this thread. I followed the advice here and set up direct deposit through UI Online about 2 weeks ago. It took exactly 2 payment cycles like @StarStrider mentioned, but now my payments go straight to my checking account and I don't have to deal with the card at all anymore. For anyone on the fence about doing this - it's definitely worth the small hassle of setting it up. No more worrying about ATM fees, card malfunctions, or any of the other issues people mentioned. The process was pretty straightforward once I had my routing and account numbers ready. Just make sure you don't have any pending payments when you make the switch, as those will still go to your card while the direct deposit setup is processing. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is really helpful for navigating all the EDD quirks!