Where can I cash EDD check with no bank account? Got check instead of Money Network card

You can cash an EDD check at most check cashing places, but yes they'll charge a fee (usually 1-3%, not 10%). Walmart will cash government checks up to $5,000 for a $4 fee if your check is under $1,000, or $8 if it's over. You'll need a valid ID. Some grocery stores like Food 4 Less also cash government checks. Another option is to go directly to the bank listed on the check (Bank of America for EDD checks) - they'll cash it even without an account, but bring your ID.

i cashed mine at the check cashing place near my house last year. they charged me like $20 on a $450 check which sucked but i needed the money that day. walmart is def cheaper tho

The same thing happened to me! I requested a card and got a check instead. I called EDD about it (took like 40 tries to get through 🙄) and they said sometimes they send the first payment as a check even if you request the card. The Money Network card will come in the mail a week or two after your first payment, and all future payments will go on that card instead of paper checks. It's super annoying they don't explain this anywhere in their instructions.

I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!!! EDD sent me a check when I asked for direct deposit and I wasted 3 DAYS trying to reach someone at EDD about it. Their phone system is a joke - always busy or they hang up on you! The BofA on the check will cash it but they'll charge you a FEE if you dont have acct with them!!!!

Just wondering - did you do your certification online or by mail? Sometimes how you certify affects how they pay you.

Once you get your Money Network card, you might want to consider setting up direct deposit for future payments if you can open a bank account. Many credit unions offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance requirements. I know you said you don't have a bank, but it might be worth looking into to avoid check cashing fees in the future. The Money Network card works fine too, but sometimes there are fees at certain ATMs.

The Money Network card can be used for purchases at stores with no fee. You get free ATM withdrawals at Bank of America ATMs and MoneyPass network ATMs. There's a fee for out-of-network ATMs (about $3). There's no fee for checking your balance online, but there's a small fee for calling customer service more than once per month. You can also transfer money from the card to a bank account online if you eventually open one.

Just wanted to add that some Walmarts have different policies, so you might want to call ahead to make sure they'll cash your EDD check. I've had friends get turned away at certain locations even though it's supposed to be company-wide policy. Also, if you're going during busy times, the customer service desk might have a long wait. I usually go early morning or late evening to avoid crowds. Good luck getting your money - the waiting game with EDD is the worst part of this whole process!

Another option to consider is your local grocery stores - many of them cash government checks too. I've used Kroger and Safeway before and their fees are usually reasonable (around $3-5). Some also have longer hours than banks if you need to cash it after work. Also, make sure you endorse the back of the check before you go - sounds obvious but I've seen people get turned away for forgetting that simple step. The endorsement should match exactly how your name appears on the front of the check.

I had this exact same situation happen to me last year! EDD definitely sends the first payment as a check even when you select the card option - it's so confusing that they don't tell you this upfront. For cashing it, I'd definitely recommend Walmart over check cashing places. I made the mistake of going to a check cashing place first and they wanted to charge me $35 on a $600 check! Walmart only charged me $8 and was much faster. Just make sure you bring a valid photo ID and the check is endorsed properly. The Money Network card should arrive within 7-10 business days after your first payment, and then all future payments will go directly onto that card. Hang in there - I know how stressful it is when you really need that money!

Hey Raúl! I went through this same frustrating experience a few months ago. Here's what I learned: EDD automatically sends the first payment as a paper check regardless of what payment method you selected - it's like their "default" for new claimants. Super annoying that they don't mention this anywhere! For cashing it, I'd definitely go with Walmart - I tried a few different places and they had the best fees. Just bring your ID and make sure the check is signed on the back. The Money Network card will show up about 1-2 weeks after you get this first check, and then all your future payments will go on that card automatically. Also, pro tip: if you need to contact EDD about anything else, try calling right at 8:00 AM when they open - that's when you have the best chance of getting through. Good luck tomorrow!

I work at a Walmart customer service desk and can confirm we do cash EDD checks! Just a heads up though - make sure you have the exact amount ready for the fee ($4 for checks under $1000, $8 for over) because we can't take it out of your check amount. Also bring two forms of ID if you have them - sometimes the system asks for a backup ID especially for government checks. We're usually less busy right when we open at 8 AM or after 8 PM if you want to avoid the crowds. The whole process takes maybe 5 minutes once you're at the counter. Hope this helps and you get your money sorted out soon!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Just wanted to add that if you're near any Navy Federal or Pentagon Federal Credit Union branches, they'll often cash government checks even if you're not a member - though they may charge a small fee. Also, some 99 Cent stores and dollar stores offer check cashing services that might be closer than Walmart depending on where you live. The fees vary but are usually around $3-6 for government checks. One more thing - if you decide to get that bank account eventually, many credit unions will waive fees if you set up direct deposit, and having an account makes the whole EDD process way smoother for future claims. Hope you get your money tomorrow without any hassles!

Hey everyone! I'm new to the community but going through something similar right now. Just wanted to share that I called around to different places yesterday before going to cash my EDD check, and I found that some grocery stores like Food 4 Less actually have better hours than Walmart if you need to go later in the day. They stay open until 10 PM and still cash government checks for around $5. Also, if anyone is still having trouble getting through to EDD by phone, I discovered that Tuesdays and Wednesdays around 8:30 AM seem to have slightly better connection rates than Mondays (probably because everyone tries calling Monday morning after the weekend). One more tip - keep your check stub when you cash it because you might need it for tax purposes later! This whole EDD system is definitely confusing for newcomers but this thread has been super helpful for figuring it all out.

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who went through this exact same frustrating experience! I also requested the Money Network card but got a paper check instead for my first payment. What really helped me was finding out that some banks will actually cash EDD checks for free if you're polite and explain your situation - I went to a local Wells Fargo branch and they waived their usual non-customer fee when I told them I was between jobs and really needed access to my unemployment benefits. It might be worth trying a few different bank branches before paying fees at Walmart or check cashing places. Also, once you get your Money Network card, you can avoid most ATM fees by using the Bank of America ATMs or any MoneyPass network ATM (there's a locator on their website). The whole system is definitely confusing but at least you're not alone in dealing with it!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just got my first EDD check yesterday when I specifically chose the debit card option too. It's so frustrating that they don't explain this anywhere - I spent hours on their website trying to figure out if I did something wrong. Based on what everyone's saying here, sounds like Walmart is definitely the way to go for cashing it. I'm planning to head there first thing tomorrow morning with my ID and the $8 fee ready. Really helpful to know that the Money Network card will still come and this check thing is just a one-time deal. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is way more informative than anything on the official EDD website!