You can transfer money from your EDD card to a bank account, but the method depends on which card you have and which bank you use
The EDD (Employment Development Department) issues debit cards in California to deliver unemployment benefits, disability insurance, and paid family leave payments. If you have an EDD card and want to move that money into your own bank account, you have several routes: direct transfer through the card issuer's app or website, ATM withdrawal followed by deposit, or a bank-to-bank transfer if your bank supports it. The fastest and cheapest option is usually a direct transfer through the card provider's system, which takes one to two business days and costs nothing.
The specific steps depend on which card you hold. Most EDD cardholders use the Bank of America EDD card or the Visa card issued through Fiserv. Each has its own app and transfer process. You will need your bank account number and routing number ready before you start, and your receiving bank must be set up to accept transfers from outside accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Direct transfer through your EDD card's app or website is the fastest method and usually free, completing in one to two business days.
- ATM withdrawal and manual deposit works if you prefer cash, but costs time and carries the risk of loss or theft.
- Your receiving bank account must be in your name and set up to accept transfers; some banks flag transfers from prepaid cards as unusual activity.
- The EDD card issuer may limit how much you can transfer in a single day or how many transfers you can make per month.
- If your transfer fails or takes longer than expected, contact your EDD card issuer's customer service, not your bank.
How to transfer through the Bank of America EDD card app
If you hold the Bank of America EDD card, open the BankAmericard app or log into the online portal at bankofamerica.com. Look for the "Transfer Funds" or "Move Money" option in the menu. Select the account you want to transfer from (your EDD card), then enter the receiving bank account details: the account number, routing number, and the bank name.
Enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm the details. Bank of America will show you the expected delivery date, usually one to two business days. Once you submit, the transfer is queued and you will receive a confirmation number. The money will land in your bank account on the date shown, not immediately. If you need the money faster, you will have to withdraw cash from an ATM instead.
Bank of America does not charge a fee for transfers to your own bank account. However, your receiving bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer, though most do not. Check with your bank if you are unsure.
How to transfer through the Fiserv EDD card
If your EDD card is issued through Fiserv (sometimes branded as a Visa card or under another name), download the Fiserv prepaid card app or visit their online portal. The exact name and location of the transfer option varies, but look for "Move Money," "Transfer Funds," or "Send to Bank." Select your EDD card as the source account.
Enter your receiving bank account number, routing number, and account holder name. Fiserv will verify the account details before processing. Enter the transfer amount and review the confirmation screen. Submit the transfer and note the confirmation number. Fiserv typically processes transfers within one to two business days, though some transfers may take up to three business days if submitted late in the day or on a weekend.
Fiserv does not charge a fee for transfers to your own bank account. However, if you make multiple transfers in a short period, Fiserv may flag the activity and temporarily hold your account for review. If this happens, contact Fiserv customer service to explain the transfers.
Withdrawing cash and depositing it yourself
If you do not want to set up a direct transfer or if your bank does not accept transfers from prepaid cards, you can withdraw cash from an ATM using your EDD card and deposit it into your bank account in person or through mobile deposit.
Find an ATM that accepts your card (Bank of America ATMs for the BofA card, or any ATM in the Visa network for Fiserv cards). Withdraw the amount you need. Most EDD cards allow withdrawals up to a daily limit, usually $500 to $1,000 depending on the card and your account history. If you need more, you may have to make multiple withdrawals over several days.
Once you have the cash, deposit it into your bank account at a branch, ATM, or through your bank's mobile app if it offers mobile check deposit (though you cannot deposit cash through an app—you will need to visit a branch or ATM). This method is free but takes time and carries the risk of losing the cash if it is stolen or misplaced.
Why your bank might reject or delay the transfer
Some banks flag transfers from prepaid cards as unusual activity and may hold or reject the transfer. This is especially common if the transfer is large, if you have never received a transfer from a prepaid card before, or if your bank has strict fraud detection rules. If this happens, your bank will contact you to confirm the transfer is legitimate. Answer their questions and the transfer will usually go through within 24 hours.
To avoid this, call your bank before you initiate the transfer and let them know it is coming. Provide the name of the card issuer (Bank of America or Fiserv) and the approximate amount and date. This gives your bank a heads-up and reduces the chance of a hold.
If your bank rejects the transfer outright, contact your EDD card issuer's customer service. They can sometimes resubmit the transfer with additional information, or they can advise you on whether your bank is compatible with their transfer system.
Daily and monthly transfer limits
Both Bank of America and Fiserv EDD cards have limits on how much you can transfer in a single day and how many transfers you can make per month. These limits vary and change over time, but typically you can transfer between $500 and $5,000 per day, and between 5 and 10 transfers per month.
If you need to transfer more than your daily limit, you will have to split the transfer across multiple days. If you hit your monthly transfer limit, you will have to wait until the next calendar month to transfer again. Check your card's app or website to see your current limits before you start a transfer.
If you need to transfer a large amount and your limits are too low, contact your EDD card issuer's customer service. They may be able to temporarily increase your limit if you explain the reason.
What to do if your transfer fails or takes too long
If you initiate a transfer and it does not arrive within the promised timeframe, first check your EDD card app to see the status. Most apps show whether the transfer is pending, processing, or completed. If it shows completed but the money has not landed in your bank account, wait one more business day—bank-to-bank transfers sometimes take longer than expected.
If the transfer shows as failed or if more than three business days have passed with no arrival, contact your EDD card issuer's customer service. Have your confirmation number ready. They can investigate whether the transfer was rejected by your bank, whether there was an error in the account details you entered, or whether a technical problem occurred on their end. Do not contact your bank first—the EDD card issuer controls the transfer on their side.
If the transfer was rejected because of incorrect account details, you will have to initiate a new transfer with the correct information. If it was rejected by your bank, your bank will contact you or you can call them to ask why and whether you need to add the EDD card issuer to your approved transfer list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my entire EDD card balance at once?
You can transfer up to your daily limit in one transaction, but if your balance is higher than that limit, you will need to make multiple transfers over several days. Check your card's app to see your current daily transfer limit before you start.
Does transferring from my EDD card to my bank account affect my benefits?
No. Moving money from your EDD card to your bank account does not change your benefits, stop your payments, or trigger any review. The EDD only cares that the money reaches you; how you store it afterward is your choice.
What if I do not have a bank account yet?
You can withdraw cash from an ATM using your EDD card and open a bank account with that cash. You do not need an existing bank account to receive EDD payments—the card itself is your account. However, if you want to move the money to a bank account later, you will need to set one up first.
Can I transfer money from my EDD card to someone else's bank account?
No. EDD card transfers only work to bank accounts in your own name. If you need to send money to someone else, withdraw cash and give it to them, or use a separate money transfer service like Venmo or Western Union.
How long does a transfer usually take?
Most transfers complete within one to two business days. Transfers submitted on a Friday or weekend may not start processing until Monday, so they could take three to four calendar days to arrive. Transfers initiated late in the day may also be delayed until the next business day.