The Employment Development Department, or EDD, is contacting unemployment, disability and paid family leave customers with timelines and information to assist in the transition from Bank of America debit cards to Money Network prepaid debit cards.

Starting Jan. 15, customers who qualify for payments will receive a payment issued to their Bank of America debit card as well as be sent an unfunded Money Network Card.

Beginning Feb. 15, benefit payments will be issued to the Money Network Cards and no longer to Bank of America debit cards. A new direct deposit option will also be added later this year.

The EDD asks customers to allow up to 14 business days for that unfunded Money Network Card to arrive.

For example, if an individual qualifies for a payment on Jan. 15, allow until February 1 to receive that new Money Network Card.

Individuals who don’t receive their card after that period may contact Money Network at 1-800-684-7051.

The cards will arrive in a plain, white, letter-sized envelope from the EDD with an Omaha, Nebraska return address since that is where the cards are manufactured.

Important details on what the EDD’s customers should expect throughout this transition are being delivered through personal emails and text messages in late January. The messaging follows letters, emails, and text messages sent in early December to all active customers at the time advising them of the upcoming change and key dates involved.

Check the EDD's debit card webpage for updates.

Closing out Bank of America cards

IMPORTANT DEADLINE: April 15, 2024, is the last day individuals will be able to use their Bank of America debit card. Customers are encouraged to use or transfer any remaining balance on their debit cards before that date.

Stay alert against fraud

The EDD will never request personal information by text message, email, or on social media. Text messages asking to activate a benefits debit card by selecting a link are scams. The EDD’s text messages only link to websites that include “edd.ca.gov”. The EDD encourages customers to remain vigilant and safeguard their financial and personal information. Visit Help Fight Fraud for tips on how to avoid scams.

Upcoming service updates

Starting this spring, the EDD will begin phasing in a new direct deposit option for payment of customers’ benefits administered by Money Network, which will be described in forthcoming communications from the EDD.

This update is one of many upcoming customer service enhancements that are being introduced as part of a transformational period for the Department called EDDNext.

The Department is dedicated to improving its customer experience, modernizing technologies and self-service options, simplifying forms and notices, and increasing efficiencies for staff with updated policies and procedures — all focused on making the experience of the EDD’s customers easier and faster.