Help with California EDD Debit Card?

[kimmylavin]

Hi all!

So, the last time I collected unemployment, they were doing paper checks.
Now it seems that BOA has a contract to provide debit cards.

It's great that their paperwork keeps telling me that I can use the card just like a debit card, but I don't need a debit card.
I need this money to be in my bank account to cover all the autopays that are still going through!

My credit union branch is 40 minutes away, and - as I discovered yesterday - closed.
The ATM wasn't working, so I waited 30 minutes for the guy to fix it.

When I put my EDD card in, it allowed me to withdraw $200, and then I had to switch to my bank card to put the $200 into my account.
So... in order to collect my unemployment, I'm going to have to drive to my bank 5 days a week to do this?

I'm hoping I'm just missing something?
Is there an easier way that I just haven't read about yet?

Thank you in advance to anyone who has any insight/ideas, or who has maybe figured out a better way to do this already!

[stopbush]

1. No. Much, much easier than that.

You need to go to the BoA EDD card site and register your card. You will be able to set it up so BoA automatically transfers 100% of your biweekly unemployment benefit payment to your bank account.

The instructions were included in the mailing that included your BoA card.

I just did this for my wife. Took under 10 minutes.

https://prepaid.bankofamerica.com/eddcard

“activate my card”

[kimmylavin]

2. Bless you!

That worked!
There was a problem with my online info, but I just got off the phone with a very nice man at BofA who walked me through everything.

Thank you SO MUCH for pointing me in the right direction!
(I guess trying to read this info through rage/fear tears yesterday did not help!)

[stopbush]

3. Great! That was fast. Happy I could help a fellow DUer!