EDD payment method confusion - debit card vs direct deposit options for unemployment benefits?

Congratulations on your approval! Yes, EDD gives you both options. By default, they will issue you a Money Network debit card if you don't specify otherwise. To set up direct deposit, log into your UI Online account, click on 'Payment Methods' in the menu and follow the prompts to add your bank account information. You'll need your routing and account numbers handy. Direct deposit is usually faster once it's set up, but the initial card comes pretty quickly too (about 7-10 days after your first payment is processed).

they send u the card automatically. i didnt see any option for direct deposit when i filed last month. check ur mail in bout a week

I've been on unemployment twice in the past three years, and here's how it works: EDD automatically sends everyone a Money Network debit card first. Even if you set up direct deposit right away, your first payment will likely go to the card. After that, subsequent payments will go to your bank account via direct deposit if you've set it up. To set up direct deposit: 1. Log into UI Online 2. Look for "Payment Methods" or "Account Information" 3. Select "Change Payment Method" 4. Choose Direct Deposit option 5. Enter your bank routing and account numbers Just be aware that the Money Network card will still arrive in the mail regardless, usually in a plain envelope that's easy to mistake for junk mail, so keep an eye out for it. And hold onto the card even after setting up direct deposit - sometimes if there are issues with your claim, they'll default back to the card payment method.

I got my card last month and was actually surprised at how quickly it came! Only took about 5 days after my claim was approved. The envelope does look kinda sketchy tho so don't throw it away thinking its junk mail lol

EDD's whole payment system is ridiculous and outdated. They FORCE you to get that stupid Money Network card first before you can switch to direct deposit. And even then, sometimes they randomly decide to put money back on the card instead of your bank account with zero explanation. It's happened to me twice! Also be prepared for the terrible Money Network website to be down half the time you try to access it. The whole system feels designed to make it as difficult as possible to actually get YOUR money. I've had nothing but problems trying to transfer funds from the card to my actual bank account. Direct deposit is definitely the way to go if you can get it set up, but don't be surprised when EDD finds a way to mess that up too.

If anyone is struggling to reach EDD about payment issues, I had great luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a rep last month when my payments suddenly switched back to the card instead of direct deposit. Saved me hours of redial hell. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. The rep fixed my direct deposit issue in about 5 minutes once I actually got through.

my roomate said u can use the money network card at atms to get cash. thats wut he does instead of direct deposit

Thanks everyone for the help! I went back into my UI Online account and found the Payment Methods section. I've set up direct deposit now, but I'll watch for the card in the mail too since it sounds like the first payment might go there anyway. Really appreciate all the advice!

Quick question to add to this thread - does anyone know if you can have multiple bank accounts set up for direct deposit? I have a checking account for bills and a savings account where I try to keep some emergency funds. Can I split my EDD payments between the two somehow?

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble finding the Payment Methods section in UI Online, try looking under "Profile" or "Manage Account" - sometimes it's buried in there. Also, once you set up direct deposit, you should get an email confirmation within 24-48 hours. If you don't see that confirmation email, definitely call to make sure it went through properly. I learned this the hard way when I thought I had set it up but my payment still went to the card because the setup didn't actually save. Good luck with everything!

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! Here's what I learned: EDD will automatically send you the Money Network debit card regardless of whether you set up direct deposit or not. The card usually arrives within 7-10 business days after your first payment is issued. However, you can and should set up direct deposit right away in your UI Online account under "Payment Methods" - this will make future payments go directly to your bank account, which is much more convenient than dealing with that card. Just be aware that your very first payment will likely still go to the card even if you set up direct deposit immediately, since there's a processing delay. Keep that card safe even after setting up direct deposit, because sometimes EDD randomly switches back to card payments if there are any issues with your claim. Hope this helps and congrats on getting approved!

Hey Omar! I just went through this same process about 6 weeks ago and wanted to share what worked for me. Everyone's advice here is spot on - you'll get the Money Network card automatically, but definitely set up direct deposit ASAP. One thing I'd add is that when you're setting up direct deposit in UI Online, double-check that your bank routing number is correct - I made a typo the first time and it delayed my payments by almost two weeks while they sorted it out. Also, once you get that Money Network card, activate it right away even if you plan to use direct deposit, because sometimes EDD will randomly put a payment on the card instead of your bank account and you don't want to be scrambling to activate it when you need the money. The whole system is definitely confusing for first-timers, but you'll get the hang of it. Hang in there!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who recently dealt with this! I set up direct deposit right after my claim was approved, but like others mentioned, my first payment still went to the Money Network card. The good news is that once direct deposit kicks in, it's super reliable - I've been getting payments directly to my bank account for the past 2 months with no issues. One tip: if you're really strapped for cash and need the money immediately, you can use the Money Network card at most ATMs or grocery stores to get cash right away rather than waiting to transfer it to your bank account. The card works just like any debit card. Also, there are no fees for the first few ATM withdrawals each month, which is helpful. Good luck with everything, and I hope your financial situation improves soon!

I went through this exact same confusion when I first got approved for EDD benefits last year! Here's what I learned: EDD will automatically send you the Money Network debit card regardless of what you do - it's their default system. However, you can absolutely set up direct deposit in your UI Online account under "Payment Methods" or sometimes "Profile" depending on the layout. The key thing to know is that your FIRST payment will almost certainly go to the card even if you set up direct deposit right away, because there's a processing delay. But after that, all future payments should go directly to your bank account. My advice: set up direct deposit immediately (you'll need your routing and account numbers), but also watch for that card in the mail because you'll likely need it for your first payment. The card usually arrives in a plain envelope within 7-10 days and can look like junk mail, so don't throw it away! Once you get it, activate it right away even if you plan to use direct deposit long-term, because EDD sometimes randomly switches payment methods back to the card if there are any issues with your claim. Hope this helps and congrats on getting approved - I know how stressful that waiting period can be!

As someone who just went through this process a couple months ago, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - you'll get both options but the card comes first no matter what. One thing I wish someone had told me is that when you set up direct deposit, make sure your bank account can receive ACH transfers. I had an old savings account that I thought would work, but it turned out my bank had restrictions on electronic deposits for that particular account type. Had to call my bank to verify before switching the payment method in UI Online. Also, keep all your payment confirmations and screenshots - EDD's system can be glitchy and having that documentation saved me when my direct deposit randomly stopped working after 6 weeks and I had to call in to get it fixed. The whole system is frustrating but at least once you get it set up properly, the payments are pretty reliable. Good luck with everything!

I just went through this same situation about a month ago and wanted to share what worked for me! You're definitely on the right track - EDD will automatically send you the Money Network card regardless of whether you set up direct deposit or not. The card typically arrives within 5-10 business days in a plain white envelope that honestly looks like junk mail, so keep an eye out for it. For direct deposit, log into your UI Online account and look for "Payment Methods" - it might be under "Profile" or "Manage Account" depending on how the site is laid out that day (their interface seems to change randomly). You'll need your bank's routing number and your account number. Just make sure to double-check those numbers because even a small typo can delay everything by weeks. Here's the important part: even if you set up direct deposit immediately, your first payment will almost certainly still go to the card because of processing delays. But don't worry - you can use that card right away at ATMs or stores just like a regular debit card. After that first payment, everything should switch over to direct deposit automatically. One last tip - take screenshots of your direct deposit setup confirmation and save any confirmation emails. EDD's system can be glitchy and sometimes "forgets" your settings, so having that documentation can save you a lot of headaches if you need to call them later. Hang in there and congrats on getting approved!

I just went through this exact same process about two weeks ago, so this thread is super timely! Like everyone mentioned, you'll definitely get the Money Network card automatically - it came to me in about 6 days in a really plain white envelope that I almost threw away thinking it was spam mail. For direct deposit, I found the option under "Manage Account" in my UI Online portal, but it took me a while to locate it because their menu layout isn't very intuitive. Make sure you have your routing and account numbers ready, and definitely verify them with your bank first - I called mine just to double-check and they confirmed my account could receive ACH deposits no problem. One thing that really helped me was setting up both payment methods right after approval but not stressing too much about which one would be used first. My first payment went to the card as expected, but starting with payment #2, everything has gone smoothly to my bank account via direct deposit. The Money Network card actually isn't terrible to use if you need quick access to funds - I used it at an ATM the day I got my first payment and there were no fees for the first couple withdrawals. But direct deposit is definitely more convenient long-term. Just remember to activate that card even if you plan to use direct deposit, because EDD can be unpredictable about which method they use sometimes! Hope this helps and congrats on getting through the approval process - I know how stressful that wait can be!