What you can and cannot transfer from an EDD card

You can move money from your EDD debit card to a bank account, but only through specific methods. The EDD card itself — the physical card issued by Bank of America — cannot be directly linked to another bank account the way a personal debit card can. Instead, you transfer the balance by withdrawing cash or using the card to send money to another account through available transfer services.

The money on your EDD card is real money in a real account held at Bank of America. It is not locked to the card. But EDD does not offer a built-in "move to my bank" feature. You have to use one of the transfer methods Bank of America provides, or withdraw cash and deposit it yourself.

What you cannot do: you cannot set up automatic recurring transfers, you cannot link the EDD card as a source account in your personal bank's app, and you cannot transfer to someone else's account. The card is tied to your Social Security number and can only send money you own.

Key Takeaways

  • You can transfer money from your EDD card to a bank account through Bank of America's transfer service, ATM cash withdrawal, or by visiting a Bank of America branch in person.
  • Bank of America charges no fee to transfer money from your EDD card to another bank account within the United States, but the receiving bank may charge an incoming wire fee.
  • Transfers initiated before 2 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day usually arrive the same day; transfers after 2 p.m. or on weekends arrive the next business day.
  • You can also withdraw cash from any ATM that accepts the card and deposit it into your bank account, though this takes longer and requires you to handle physical cash.

Using Bank of America's transfer service

The fastest way to move money is through Bank of America's online transfer system. Log into your EDD card account at bankofamerica.com or through the Bank of America mobile app using your card number and PIN. Once logged in, select "Transfer Money" and choose "Transfer to Another Bank."

You will need your receiving bank's routing number and your account number at that bank. Bank of America will ask you to verify the receiving account by depositing small test amounts (usually two deposits under $1 each) or by confirming the account in another way. This verification step takes one to two business days the first time you set up a new receiving account.

Once verified, you can transfer up to $10,000 per day, though some accounts may have lower limits. Transfers sent before 2 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day (Monday through Friday) arrive the same day. Transfers sent after 2 p.m. or on weekends arrive the next business day. Bank of America does not charge you a fee, but your receiving bank may charge an incoming wire fee — typically $10 to $15.

Withdrawing cash and depositing it yourself

You can withdraw cash from your EDD card at any ATM that displays the Visa or Bank of America logo. There is no fee for withdrawals at Bank of America ATMs or at ATMs in the Allpoint network (which includes thousands of ATMs at grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores). Withdrawals at other ATMs may cost $2 to $3.

Once you have the cash, you can deposit it into your bank account at your bank's ATM, at a branch, or through mobile deposit if your bank offers it. This method is free but slower because you have to handle physical cash and make a separate deposit. It also leaves you exposed to loss or theft while you are holding the money.

Transferring in person at a Bank of America branch

If you prefer to transfer money face-to-face, you can visit any Bank of America branch with your EDD card and a form of ID. Tell the teller you want to transfer money to another bank account. They will process the transfer on the spot, and it will arrive at your receiving bank the same day or the next business day depending on the time of day and whether it is a business day.

There is no fee for this service. The teller will ask for your receiving bank's routing number and your account number, the same information you would provide online. This method is useful if you are uncomfortable using the online system or if you need to transfer a large amount and want to confirm it with a person.

Timing and what to expect

The speed of your transfer depends on when you send it and which method you use. Online transfers and branch transfers sent before 2 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day arrive the same day. Transfers sent after 2 p.m. Pacific Time or on a weekend or holiday arrive the next business day.

Your receiving bank may take an additional day to post the money to your account, even after Bank of America has sent it. Some banks post transfers when ready; others hold them for one business day. Check with your bank about their posting timeline if you need the money urgently.

If a transfer does not arrive within two business days, contact Bank of America at the number on the back of your EDD card. Have your transfer confirmation number ready. Bank of America can trace the transfer and confirm whether it was sent and where it went.

Fees and limits to know

Bank of America charges you nothing to transfer money from your EDD card to another bank account. However, your receiving bank may charge an incoming wire fee, which is their fee for receiving money from another institution. This fee is typically $10 to $15 and is deducted from the amount you receive.

There is no daily limit on how much you can transfer, but Bank of America may flag unusually large transfers for fraud review. If you need to transfer more than $10,000 in a single transaction, call Bank of America before you transfer to let them know it is coming. This prevents your transfer from being held up.

ATM withdrawals have a daily limit, usually $500 to $1,000 depending on your account. If you need to withdraw more, you can make multiple withdrawals across different days, or you can visit a Bank of America branch and withdraw over the counter, which has a higher limit.

Why you might want to transfer your EDD money

Some people transfer their EDD balance to a regular bank account because they prefer to use their own bank's debit card, or because they want to keep their EDD money separate from money they earn from other sources. Others transfer because they are closing the EDD card or moving to a different state.

The EDD card itself is free to use and has no monthly fees, so there is no financial reason to transfer. But if you find the card inconvenient or if your bank offers features the EDD card does not (like overdraft protection or rewards), transferring makes sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to transfer money from my EDD card to my bank account?

Same-day transfers arrive within hours if you send them before 2 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day. Transfers sent after 2 p.m. or on weekends arrive the next business day. Your receiving bank may take an additional day to post the money, so allow up to two business days total.

Will I be charged a fee to transfer money from my EDD card?

Bank of America does not charge you a fee. Your receiving bank may charge an incoming wire fee of $10 to $15, which they will deduct from the amount you receive. ATM withdrawals are free at Bank of America and Allpoint ATMs but may cost $2 to $3 at other ATMs.

Can I transfer money from my EDD card to someone else's bank account?

No. The EDD card is tied to your Social Security number and can only transfer money to accounts in your name. If you need to give money to someone else, you have to withdraw cash or transfer to your own account first, then give them the money separately.

What if my transfer does not arrive after two business days?

Contact Bank of America at the number on the back of your EDD card with your transfer confirmation number. They can trace where the money went and whether it was sent successfully. If the transfer was sent but your receiving bank has not posted it, contact your bank to ask why it is delayed.

Is there a limit to how much I can transfer at once?

Bank of America does not set a hard limit, but transfers over $10,000 may trigger fraud review. Call Bank of America before transferring large amounts to let them know it is coming. ATM withdrawals are usually limited to $500 to $1,000 per day, but you can withdraw over the counter at a branch for higher amounts.