PA UC payment cards switched to Money Network - is there a mobile app to check balance?
Been out of the unemployment system for a while but just had to file a new claim after my company downsized. I heard they don't use the old ReliaCard anymore for payments? What card system does PA UC use now in 2025? And do they have an actual app where I can check my balance and payment history, or is it still just a website? Last time I had to call that annoying automated system every time I wanted to check if my payment hit. Thanks for any help!
16 comments

Paolo Esposito
PA switched to Money Network cards for all unemployment payments back in 2023. And yes they DO have a mobile app! It's way better than the old system. Search for 'Money Network Mobile App' in your app store. You can check your balance, see payment history, set up alerts when deposits hit, and even transfer to your bank account.
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Keisha Brown
AuthorThanks! That's good to hear they finally got with the times. Is the app actually reliable? The old system was always glitchy for me.
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Amina Toure
got mine last month. the mony network card works pretty good and ya theres an app but u gotta activate your card first before u can use it. they mail it in like 7-10 days after ur first payment i think
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Keisha Brown
AuthorGood to know about activating first. Do they still automatically enroll you for direct deposit if you provided bank info during your initial claim, or is the card the default now?
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Oliver Weber
The Money Network cards are now standard for PA unemployment benefits. The app is quite useful, but here's something important to note: you MUST call the activation number on the card sticker before you can create your online account or app access. Many people miss this step and get frustrated. Also, you can still choose direct deposit to your bank account instead of the card - just go to your dashboard on the PA UC website and select "Payment Options." Direct deposit processes 1-2 days faster than waiting for the card to be loaded.
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Keisha Brown
AuthorThat's super helpful, thank you! I'll definitely set up direct deposit once my claim gets approved. One less card to worry about.
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FireflyDreams
WATCH OUT!!! Money Network charges FEES for almost EVERYTHING! $2.50 for ATM withdrawals (plus whatever the ATM charges), $5 for teller withdrawals at banks, and even fees for checking your balance too many times!!! The app is OK but they're COUNTING ON people not setting up direct deposit so they can collect all these fees. The whole system is a SCAM to take money from unemployed people who already don't have enough!!!
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Paolo Esposito
That's not entirely accurate. You get 2 free ATM withdrawals per month at in-network ATMs, and you can always transfer the full balance to your bank account for free through the app. I've been using it for 3 months and haven't paid a single fee. Just need to know how to use it properly.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
I tried to reach UC about my Money Network card issues for WEEKS! Busy signals constantly or disconnected after waiting an hour. Finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The agent helped me solve my card activation issue - turns out my address was entered wrong in the system so the card was being mailed to the wrong place. Much easier than trying to get through on my own!
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Amina Toure
does this realy work?? been trying 2 call for 3 days straight about my payment issue
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Javier Morales
I remember when they switched from Wells Fargo to ReliaCard years ago and that was a mess too. Every time they change the card system people lose access to their money for weeks. My brother just went through this whole Money Network card thing and ended up just setting up direct deposit because the card was such a hassle. Something to consider.
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Emma Anderson
Just FYI - you need to create a separate login for the Money Network app that's different from your PA UC login. That confused me for days! The card comes with instructions but they're not very clear about this. If you're having trouble registering on the app, make sure you're creating a new account specifically for Money Network, not trying to use your UC credentials.
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Keisha Brown
AuthorOh that's really good to know! Would have definitely tried using my UC login first. Is there anything else weird about setting it up I should know about?
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Emma Anderson
Yeah, when you register they ask for the card number AND a security code that's NOT the 3-digit code on the back. It's actually a longer code on the paperwork that comes with the card. Don't throw that away! Also, their password requirements are super strict - must have capitals, numbers, special characters, and be at least 12 characters long.
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Paolo Esposito
On a positive note, the Money Network app is actually pretty decent. You can set up notifications for when deposits hit your card, lock/unlock the card if you're worried about fraud, and see all your transaction history. You can also transfer funds to your bank account right from the app instead of having to call in like with the old system. Much more convenient overall.
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Liam Fitzgerald
Thanks everyone for all the detailed info! This is super helpful. I'm definitely going to set up direct deposit once my claim gets approved to avoid any card fees or hassles. It's crazy how much the system has changed since I last filed - sounds like the Money Network app is a huge improvement over that terrible automated phone system they used to have. Really appreciate you all taking the time to share your experiences!
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