EDD Money Network card confusion - can my credit union help access funds?

You have a few options with your Money Network card. You CAN go to your credit union, but they might charge a fee for cash advances from non-member cards. Better options are: 1. Set up direct transfer from the Money Network card to your bank account through their website or app (moneynetwork.com) 2. Use the card like a regular debit card for purchases with no fees 3. Withdraw cash at in-network ATMs (check the Money Network app for locations) I'd recommend setting up the direct transfer - it takes 1-3 business days but you can move all the money at once without fees. You'll need your credit union's routing number and your account number.

congrats on approval!!! i just got mine 2 i was soooo confused tooo. the card is weird but works just use it like normal debit for shopping. i dont trust the transfer thing to much hassle

I HATE THESE STUPID CARDS!!! They're just another way for EDD to make the process more complicated and for the bank to take fees from people who are already struggling. When I got mine last year, I tried calling their customer service number and waited 45 MINUTES only to get disconnected. The whole system is designed to frustrate people.

My cousin works at a credit union and she says they get people coming in with these cards all the time. They can help you but it's usually considered a cash advance with fees. Just adding another perspective!

If you're having trouble setting up the direct transfer from Money Network to your bank account, here are the exact steps: 1. Go to moneynetwork.com and register your card 2. Verify your identity (they'll ask security questions) 3. Choose "Account Transfer" from the menu 4. Enter your credit union's routing number and your account number 5. Select the transfer amount (yes, you can transfer the full $3,200 at once) 6. Transfers typically process within 1-3 business days Also, for future reference, you can actually set up direct deposit to your credit union account instead of getting the card for any future payments. Go to your UI Online account, select "Payment Preferences" and choose direct deposit instead of the card.

When I couldn't reach anyone at EDD to help with card issues, I used Claimyr to get through to someone. It's this service that helps you actually reach an EDD agent without the endless busy signals. Check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed to report issues with my card.

One important thing to note: if you're going to transfer the full amount from your Money Network card to your credit union, make sure to keep the card even after it's empty. EDD will continue to use the same card for future payments if you certify for additional weeks. I learned this the hard way and had to wait for a replacement card when I threw mine away after emptying it.

Just to clarify something about direct deposit since there seems to be some confusion: Yes, you can switch from the Money Network card to direct deposit for FUTURE payments, but you must do this in your UI Online account under "Payment Preferences." However, money that's already on your Money Network card can only be moved by using the card's transfer options through moneynetwork.com or their app. Also, while credit unions can technically cash out these cards, many will treat it as a cash advance with high fees (often 3-5%). The best no-fee method is the online transfer I mentioned.

Glad to see you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread - if your credit union is part of the CO-OP ATM network, you can also withdraw cash from the Money Network card at their ATMs without fees (up to the daily limit). My credit union is part of CO-OP and I was able to pull out $500/day this way when I needed cash fast. You can check if your credit union participates by looking for the CO-OP logo or asking a teller. Still think the online transfer is the best option for larger amounts, but this can be helpful for immediate cash needs.

As someone who just went through this same process last month, I can confirm that the online transfer method through moneynetwork.com is definitely the way to go! I was also nervous about fees and complicated processes, but it was actually pretty straightforward once I got the hang of it. One tip that saved me: before you do the full transfer, try a small test transfer first (like $20) to make sure everything works correctly with your credit union's account details. This gave me peace of mind before moving the larger amount. Also, keep screenshots of your transfer confirmations - they're helpful if anything goes wrong. The Money Network app is also worth downloading since you can check your balance and transfer status on the go. Really glad you got your benefits approved after that long wait - I know how stressful that uncertainty can be!

Just wanted to share my recent experience as someone who also struggled with the Money Network card initially. I work at a financial institution and can confirm what others have said about credit union cash advances - they typically charge 3-5% fees which really adds up on larger amounts like $3,200. The online transfer method everyone's recommending is definitely your best bet. One thing I'd add is to make sure your credit union account is in good standing with no holds or restrictions before initiating the transfer. Some institutions will place temporary holds on incoming electronic transfers from unfamiliar sources, which could delay access to your funds. Also, if you run into any issues with the Money Network website (it can be glitchy sometimes), try using an incognito/private browsing window. I've seen that resolve login and transfer problems for several people. The whole system is frustrating when you need money urgently, but once you get through the initial setup, future transfers are much smoother.

I went through this exact same situation about 4 months ago and totally understand the confusion! The Money Network card system is definitely not intuitive at first. Just wanted to add one more helpful tip that I discovered - if you need immediate access to some cash while waiting for the online transfer to process (which can take 1-3 business days), you can also use the card to buy a money order at most grocery stores or post offices for a small fee (usually around $1-2). Then deposit the money order into your credit union account, which often clears faster than electronic transfers. This saved me when I needed to pay rent immediately and couldn't wait for the full transfer. You can buy multiple money orders if needed, though some places have daily limits. Just make sure to keep the receipts! The direct deposit switch for future payments that others mentioned is definitely worth doing too - it eliminates all this hassle going forward. Hang in there, the first time is always the most stressful but you've got this!

Hey everyone, I'm dealing with a similar situation to the original poster. Got my EDD benefits after a long wait and received the Money Network card, but I'm really hesitant to do online transfers because I've had bad experiences with financial websites in the past getting hacked. Has anyone here had any security issues with the Money Network website? I'm torn between wanting to avoid fees at my credit union and being worried about putting my banking info on yet another website. The money order suggestion sounds interesting but I'm not sure my landlord would accept that for rent payment. Also, for those who switched to direct deposit for future payments - how long did it take for EDD to process that change? I want to avoid getting another one of these cards if possible. Thanks for all the helpful info in this thread, it's been really eye-opening!

I'm in a very similar situation - just got approved for benefits after weeks of waiting and feeling completely overwhelmed by this Money Network card system! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. One question I haven't seen addressed yet - does anyone know if there's a time limit on how long the money sits on the card before they start charging inactivity fees? I want to make sure I transfer everything out promptly but also want to do it right the first time. Also, for anyone who's used the online transfer method - do you get email confirmations at each step of the process? I like having documentation for my records, especially when dealing with larger amounts like this. The whole EDD process has made me extra paranoid about keeping paper trails for everything! Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences here. It's such a relief to know I'm not the only one who found this confusing at first. The step-by-step instructions some of you provided are going to save me so much stress.