If you’ve spent any time in California over the last few years, you probably know the drill. You lose your job, you file for benefits, and eventually, a plastic card arrives in the mail. For over a decade, that card had a massive red-and-blue flag on it. The Bank of America EDD card California was the lifeline for millions. It was how you paid rent. It was how you bought groceries. Honestly, it was also a source of massive headaches.
But things changed. Fast.
If you’re still holding onto one of those old Bank of America cards and wondering why your newest unemployment or disability payments haven't shown up, there is a very simple reason. Bank of America is out. They essentially "fired" the state of California—or the state fired them, depending on who you ask. Either way, as of early 2024, the partnership is dead.
The Great 2024 Switch
Basically, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) moved its entire operation to a company called Money Network. This wasn't just a minor update. It was a total divorce. The contract with Bank of America officially expired, and the bank didn't seem too sad to see it go. During the height of the pandemic, fraud on these cards was so rampant that Bank of America reportedly lost hundreds of millions of dollars. Criminals were skimming magnetic strips and emptying accounts before the actual owners even got the cards in the mail.
It was a mess. A total disaster, really.
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Because of that, the EDD moved to Money Network, which finally added microchips to the cards. You know, that technology the rest of the world has been using since the mid-2000s? Yeah, California finally caught up.
Why Your Bank of America EDD Card California is Likely a Paperweight
If you have a balance on an old card, you need to listen up. The hard deadline to actually use the funds on a Bank of America EDD card California was April 15, 2024. After that date, the cards were effectively deactivated for point-of-sale purchases and ATM withdrawals.
Don't panic. The money isn't "gone" forever, but you can't just swipe it at Target anymore.
If you still have a balance from an old claim, you have to contact Bank of America directly to request a check. The EDD can't help you with this. They’ve washed their hands of the BofA era. You’ll have to call the number on the back of the card—866.692.9374—and navigate the automated menus to speak with a representative. Tell them you have a "residual balance" on a closed program card. They are legally required to get that money to you, but they aren't going to make it easy. Expect hold times.
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The Fraud Lawsuits are Still Simmering
You might remember the headlines. People woke up to find $10,000 missing from their accounts, and when they called Bank of America, the bank basically said, "Not our problem." That led to some massive class-action lawsuits.
In late 2024 and heading into 2026, settlements have been reaching their final stages. One major case in New Jersey (which mirrored the California situation) reached a settlement in principle recently. In California, judges previously ruled that the bank's "Zero Liability" policy actually meant something. If you were a victim of fraud on your Bank of America EDD card California back in 2020 or 2021 and you never got your money back, you should be keeping a very close eye on your mail for class-action settlement notices.
Nuance matters here. The bank argued that because these were "disaster relief" funds, they didn't have to follow the same Electronic Fund Transfer Act rules as a regular checking account. The courts, thankfully, haven't always agreed with that logic.
Moving to Money Network and Direct Deposit
The "new" way of doing things is supposed to be better. I say supposed to because, let's be real, it's still a government agency.
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- The Card: New claimants get a Money Network card. It has a chip. It's more secure.
- Direct Deposit: This is the big win. For years, people begged for direct deposit. The EDD finally rolled this out in mid-2024. You can now bypass the debit card entirely and have your funds sent straight to your personal Chase, Wells Fargo, or credit union account.
- The App: Money Network has a mobile app. It's... okay. It lets you lock your card, which is a feature the old BofA cards desperately needed.
If you’re starting a new claim in 2026, do yourself a favor: choose direct deposit. It eliminates the risk of your card getting stolen out of your mailbox, which is still a huge problem in places like Los Angeles and Oakland.
What if I lost my old card?
This is a common one. You found out there’s $400 left on a claim from three years ago, but the card is long gone.
Since the Bank of America EDD card California contract is over, you can't just go into a BofA branch. They will look at you like you have three heads. Those branches handle "private" customers, not "government" customers. You have to call the specialized EDD debit card cardholder services line.
Be prepared with:
- Your social security number.
- The address you lived at when you filed the claim.
- A lot of patience.
Actionable Steps for 2026
Stop trying to use the old card. It's done. If you are trying to clean up old business or start new benefits, follow this path:
- Check your BofA balance: Call 1.866.692.9374. If there is money there, request a paper check. Do not accept a replacement card, as they likely won't issue one for a defunct program.
- Update your EDD Profile: Log into your myEDD account. Change your payment preference to Direct Deposit. This is the single best way to avoid fraud.
- Watch for Settlement Mail: if you were part of the 2020-2022 fraud wave, check websites like TopClassActions for updates on the Bank of America California EDD settlements. You might have a claim for reimbursed funds.
- Identify Scams: The EDD will never text you a link asking you to "reactivate" your Bank of America card. Any link that doesn't end in
.govis a scam designed to steal your identity.
The era of the Bank of America EDD card California was a chaotic chapter in the state's history. Between the massive fraud and the eventual transition to Money Network, it’s been a lot for people to keep track of. By now, the transition is complete. Move your money to a personal account you control, and don't look back.