EDD payment says 'paid' but no Money Network debit card arrived - should I call?
I just filed my first unemployment claim last month after being laid off from my warehouse job. Got through all the paperwork and did my first certification two weeks ago. When I check UI Online, it shows my payment status as 'paid' for $687, but I haven't received any debit card or payment in the mail. Nothing about direct deposit was mentioned during my application process. I'm getting nervous because rent is due next week and I was counting on this money. Does EDD automatically send cards? How long should I wait before panicking? This is my first time dealing with unemployment and I'm totally confused about how I actually get the money they supposedly paid me. Should I be calling someone or just keep waiting?
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Amara Torres
The Money Network debit card usually takes 7-10 business days to arrive after your first payment is processed. If UI Online says 'paid' that's a good sign! They don't send you any notification that the card is coming - it just shows up in a plain envelope that looks like junk mail (be careful not to throw it away!). If it's been more than 2 weeks since the payment status changed to 'paid', then I'd definitely call Bank of America EDD card services at 1-866-692-9374 to check on your card status.
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Elijah O'Reilly
•Thanks for the info! It's been exactly 14 days since the status changed to paid. I had no idea the card comes from Bank of America and not directly from EDD. I'll keep an eye out for an envelope that might look like junk mail. If nothing shows up by Monday I'll call that number.
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Olivia Van-Cleve
check ur address on ur edd account!!! my card got sent to my old apartment cuz i forgot to update my address when i moved. big headache.
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Mason Kaczka
The Money Network debit card system replaced the old Bank of America EDD cards in July 2024. Your first payment will come on the physical card, but for future payments you should set up direct deposit once you receive and activate your card. The initial card can take up to 10 business days (two weeks) to arrive. If it's been more than two weeks since your payment was marked 'paid' in the system, you should definitely call EDD. The problem is getting through... I spent 3 days trying to reach them about my card issue last month.
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Elijah O'Reilly
•Oh I didn't know about the switch to Money Network from BofA. That's helpful - I thought it was weird they used a bank for government benefits. I'll set up direct deposit as soon as I get the card. It's been exactly 14 days so I guess I should try calling tomorrow.
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Sophia Russo
•GOOD LUCK getting through on the phone!!!! I spent WEEKS trying to call about my missing card. Always busy signals or the stupid "we're experiencing high call volume" message. I literally called 56 times in one day and never got through. The EDD phone system is BROKEN and they don't care!!!!!
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Evelyn Xu
Same thing happened with my girlfriend's claim. Her payment showed 'paid' for almost 3 weeks before the card came. The envelopes really do look like junk mail - plain white envelope with minimal markings. Just hang tight, it's probably on the way!
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Dominic Green
If it says paid but no card after 2 weeks, use Claimyr to get through to an EDD agent. I was in your exact situation - payment said paid but no card after 15 days. Tried calling myself but couldn't get through. Used Claimyr and they got me connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. The rep confirmed my address was correct and expedited a new card to me. Worth it to avoid waiting another 7-10 days for a replacement. Check out their demo video: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km or just go to claimyr.com
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Elijah O'Reilly
•Thanks for the suggestion! I've never heard of this service before. I'll try calling on my own tomorrow but if I can't get through I might try this. Did they help figure out what happened to your original card?
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Dominic Green
•Yeah, turns out my original card was returned to Money Network for some reason (they wouldn't specify why, but I suspect my apartment number was missing). The EDD rep was able to verify my full address and send a new card with expedited shipping. The whole call took maybe 15 minutes once I got connected.
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Hannah Flores
There are three important things you should know about the Money Network debit cards: 1. They come in plain white envelopes that look like junk mail - many people throw them away by accident 2. If it's been more than 10 business days since your payment was marked 'paid', you should contact EDD 3. After you get your card, immediately set up direct deposit to your bank account for faster access to future payments Also, check your UI Online profile to ensure your mailing address is correct. If you need to call EDD, be prepared to spend several hours attempting to get through. Best times to call are Tuesday-Thursday right when they open at 8am.
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Elijah O'Reilly
•Thanks for the detailed info. I've double-checked my address in UI Online and everything is correct. Tomorrow will be day 15 since the payment was marked paid, so I'll start calling right when they open. I'll definitely set up direct deposit as soon as I get the card to avoid this problem next time.
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Sophia Russo
This happened to me too! The stupid card took FOREVER to arrive and there was NO tracking information or any way to know when it would come. EDD is so incompetent!!! Why can't they just use direct deposit from the beginning like a normal organization? I had to borrow money from my parents to cover rent while waiting for this mysterious card to appear. It's ridiculous how they leave people hanging without access to their benefits!
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Elijah O'Reilly
•I know, it seems so inefficient! Did your card eventually arrive or did you have to call to sort it out? I'm worried I might need to borrow money too if this doesn't resolve quickly.
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Sophia Russo
•It finally showed up after almost 3 weeks. But seriously, watch your mail carefully - the envelope is super plain and doesn't say EDD or anything obvious on it. I almost threw mine away thinking it was credit card spam.
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Mason Kaczka
Quick update for everyone: As of July 2025, new claimants who provide banking information during their initial application CAN receive their first payment via direct deposit. This changed last month. However, if you didn't provide bank info during your initial application (like the original poster), then you'll still receive the Money Network card for your first payment, and can set up direct deposit after that. OP - if tomorrow is day 15 since the payment was marked 'paid,' you should definitely call. The card should arrive within 10 business days maximum.
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Elijah O'Reilly
•I wish I'd known about providing banking info during the application! I must have missed that section or maybe it wasn't clear. I'll definitely be calling tomorrow. Thanks for the updated information.
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