Can't reach California Disability? Claimyr connects you to a live EDD agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the EDD
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the EDD drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
Ugh, I feel your pain. The whole system is a mess. Hang in there, and don't be afraid to be a squeaky wheel. Good luck!
I went through the exact same nightmare last year! Here's what finally worked for me: I kept detailed records of every interaction with ID.me (screenshots, case numbers, etc.) and then filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Within 48 hours, I got a call from an ID.me escalation team who manually reviewed and restored my account. Also, while you're waiting, try calling EDD at exactly 8:00 AM - I literally set multiple alarms and hit redial until I got through. The wait was brutal but I eventually got a human who helped me submit a paper application as a backup. Don't give up - the system is broken but there are ways around it!
This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I never thought about filing a BBB complaint - that's genius. Did you have to pay anything for the BBB complaint or was it free? Also, how long did the paper application process take compared to online? I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM calling strategy too. Really appreciate you sharing your experience!
Join the conversation
I'm dealing with this exact same issue! Just tried to submit my disability claim and got the "driver's license already in use" error. Reading through all these responses is so helpful - I was freaking out thinking something was seriously wrong. Sounds like it's probably an old claim from 2020 that's still showing as active in their system. Definitely going to try calling at 8 AM sharp tomorrow and ask them to check for any lingering claims. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - makes me feel so much less alone in this EDD nightmare! 🙏
You're definitely not alone in this! I just went through the exact same thing about a month ago and it's such a common issue with EDD's system. That 2020 claim is almost certainly what's causing the problem - their system seems to have a really hard time properly closing out old claims. The 8 AM calling strategy really does work - I got through on my second try using that approach. When you talk to them, be super specific about asking them to check for ANY previous claims under both your SSN and driver's license number, even ones you're sure are closed. They found mine pretty quickly once I mentioned the specific time frame. It's frustrating but totally fixable! You've got this! 💪
I'm having the exact same problem right now! Just got that frustrating "driver's license already in use" error when trying to file my new disability claim. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and reassuring - I was starting to think there was something seriously wrong with my account. It sounds like this is a pretty common EDD system glitch where old claims don't get properly closed out. I had a brief disability claim back in 2019 that I'm pretty sure was resolved, but it must still be lingering in their system. Definitely going to try the 8 AM calling strategy tomorrow and specifically ask them to check for any old claims under my license number. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and solutions - this community support means the world when dealing with EDD's broken system! 🙏
Join the conversation
I'm currently going through this same paper form process and the anxiety is real! My doctor also insisted on paper forms (seems to be a common theme here), and I mailed mine about a week and a half ago. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both helpful and nerve-wracking - the 3-4 week timeline seems consistent, but those stories about lost paperwork are terrifying! I'm definitely going to follow the advice about calling at the 2-week mark to confirm they have my claim. It's frustrating that we can't check status online like people who file digitally, but at least the backpay from the disability start date should help make up for the wait. Thanks for posting this question - it's so reassuring to know others are dealing with the same paper form delays and uncertainty!
Liam, I'm right there with you! It's crazy how many of us are dealing with doctors who prefer the paper route - there must be something about the medical documentation process that makes them feel more comfortable with it. I mailed mine almost 2 weeks ago now and the waiting is absolutely killing me. The lack of online tracking is the worst part - I keep refreshing my email hoping for some kind of update that I know isn't coming! At least from everyone's shared experiences here, it sounds like most people do get through the process eventually, even if it takes longer than we'd like. Planning to make that call Monday morning at 8am based on the timing tips people shared. Hopefully we'll both have good news to report back soon!
I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just mailed my paper disability forms last week and the waiting without any online tracking is absolutely nerve-wracking. My doctor also insisted on the paper route, saying something about being able to provide more detailed medical documentation. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both reassuring and anxiety-inducing - it sounds like 3-4 weeks is pretty standard for paper claims, but those stories about lost paperwork are definitely scary! I'm planning to call EDD at the 2-week mark to confirm they have my claim in their system, and I'll try that 8am timing tip someone mentioned. The backpay from the disability start date should help make the wait worthwhile, but man, the uncertainty is tough when bills are piling up. Thanks for posting this - it's so comforting to know others are dealing with the same paper form delays!
Join the conversation
I've been through this exact nightmare with EDD! What finally worked for me was creating a super clear document that showed two columns: "Work Performed" with dates from years ago, and "Residual Payments Received" with current dates. I literally drew arrows between them to show the connection. I also included a simple definition at the top: "Residuals are delayed compensation for work completed in [year], similar to receiving royalty payments from a book written years ago." The key breakthrough was when I got transferred to someone who actually understood entertainment industry work. Don't give up on the phone calls - ask specifically to speak with someone familiar with residual payments or non-traditional employment. Some EDD staff have training on this stuff, you just have to find them! Also, if you have any contracts or pay stubs from the original work, include copies to prove when the actual work was done. Hang in there - it's frustrating but totally worth fighting for your benefits! 💪
This is exactly the kind of practical advice I needed! The visual approach with arrows connecting work dates to payment dates is brilliant - sometimes you really do have to spell it out for them. I'm definitely going to create a similar document and try asking specifically for someone who understands entertainment industry payments. It's encouraging to hear that there are actually EDD staff members who know about this stuff, even if they're hard to find. Thanks for sharing what worked for you - it gives me hope that I can get this sorted out! 🙏
This is such a common problem with EDD and it's incredibly frustrating! I went through something similar with backend points from a film I worked on. What really helped me was putting together a "Residuals Explanation Package" that included: 1) A one-page letter explaining that residuals are deferred compensation for completed work, 2) Copies of my original work contract showing completion dates, 3) Bank statements highlighting the sporadic nature of payments, and 4) A simple timeline showing the gap between work completion and payments. I also made sure to use the phrase "deferred compensation for past services" in all my communications - it seems to click better with EDD staff than just saying "residuals." Don't let them wear you down! You earned those benefits and you deserve them. The appeals process can be slow but it's worth it. Stay organized and keep fighting! 💪
Emma Anderson
I'm so glad you posted about this and didn't fall for it! I actually work for a nonprofit that helps people navigate disability benefits, and we see these phishing attempts ALL THE TIME. The scammers have gotten really good at timing these emails right after people file claims - they're basically preying on people when they're most vulnerable and anxious about their benefits. A few additional red flags for anyone reading this: legitimate EDD will NEVER ask you to "verify your identity" through email links, and they definitely don't use urgent language like "Your account will be suspended" or "Immediate action required." Real government communications are usually pretty boring and bureaucratic in tone. Also want to echo what others said about the ca.gov domain - that's the golden rule. If it doesn't end in .ca.gov, delete it immediately. I tell all my clients to bookmark the official EDD website and only access their accounts that way. You did everything right by questioning it and calling EDD to verify. Hope your recovery goes smoothly and your claim gets processed without any real issues!
0 coins
Beatrice Marshall
•Thank you so much for sharing your professional perspective! It's really valuable to hear from someone who works directly with disability claimants. The point about scammers using urgent language is spot on - looking back at the email, it did have that "action required" tone that felt pushy. I'm definitely bookmarking the official EDD site like you suggested. It's honestly shocking how sophisticated these scams have become, but I'm grateful for communities like this where people share their experiences and warn others. Your nonprofit work sounds really important - I'm sure you've helped a lot of people avoid falling for these traps. Thanks for the well wishes on my recovery too!
0 coins
Zara Shah
I went through something similar last year when I filed my SDI claim after my accident. Got one of those fake ID.me emails about 5 days after mailing in my paperwork and almost clicked it because I was so stressed about everything. Luckily my sister warned me it was probably a scam. What really bothers me is how these scammers know exactly when people are most vulnerable - right after filing when you're dealing with medical issues, worried about money, and desperately waiting for any communication from EDD. They're absolutely predatory. For anyone else dealing with this: the real EDD process is painfully slow but very predictable. You file your paper claim, wait 2-3 weeks for an acknowledgment letter BY MAIL, then wait some more. No surprise emails, no urgent requests, just boring government bureaucracy at its finest. If you get anything that feels "fast" or "urgent" from EDD, it's probably fake. Stay strong during the waiting period - I know it's nerve-wracking but you'll get through it!
0 coins