EDD SDI: Can't reach anyone by phone - tips to contact a human?

I found a way to solve EDD phone call frustrations, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvJtjJovby8

Seriously considering hiring a skywriter to spell out my claim number over the EDD building. Might get their attention. ✈️

Here's what I've learned after months of dealing with EDD: 1. Persistence is key. Keep calling, even if it feels hopeless. 2. Try different times of day. Sometimes mid-afternoon is less busy. 3. Have all your info ready when you call. Claim number, SSN, etc. 4. Be polite to the rep when you get through. They're overwhelmed too. 5. If one rep can't help, politely ask to speak to a tier 2 specialist. 6. Document everything. Write down who you talked to and when. 7. Check your online account regularly for updates. It's a broken system, but hang in there. Hope this helps someone!

Have you tried calling right when they open? I've had some luck getting through early in the morning.

Have you tried contacting your local assembly member's office? They sometimes can help push things through with EDD.

Plot twist: EDD agents are actually AI bots programmed to never answer the phone. 🤖🤣

I swear, dealing with EDD is like playing the worst game of phone tag ever. 📞🏃‍♂️

Welcome to the club, buddy. I've been trying for weeks now. It's like they're purposely making it hard for us to get help. 🤔

guys i finally got through after 2 months of trying. keep at it. feels like i won the lottery or somthing 🎉

Does anyone know if theres a way to check your claim status online? The website is so confusing

It seems that getting through to EDD is a challenge faced by many, and there are various strategies suggested to improve your chances. Claimyr.com is a tool some individuals have found useful by automating the process of calling and waiting in line for you, which could be a viable option for those willing to pay the fee. However, it's understandable to be cautious about any service that charges for a task you expect to be free. Besides using Claimyr, trying at different times, particularly right when lines open, is another tactic, though it can be hit or miss. Reaching out for help through email or contacting local assembly members can also be avenues worth exploring, albeit with varying success rates. Ultimately, persistence and patience are key, as the system is indeed inundated, and representatives are doing their best given the circumstances. Many have also emphasized the importance of treating EDD staff with understanding when you do connect, as they are also dealing with the same system complexities. Combining these tips and maintaining a record of your communication attempts might increase your chances of resolving your issues faster.

Hot take: EDD should just have a Twitch stream where they answer questions live. Probably more effective than their current system. 🎮

has anyone tried emailing them? i heard theres an email address you can use but idk if it actually works

Ugh, the EDD system is such a joke. They need to hire more people or fix their website or SOMETHING. We're all just trying to survive here.

Has anyone else's claim been stuck on 'pending' for weeks? I'm losing my mind here.

Hang in there, everyone. We're all struggling but we'll get through this. Don't give up! 💪

I'm bout ready to camp outside the EDD office until someone helps me. This is ridiculous.

guys, i know its frustrating, but remember the EDD workers are probably overwhelmed too. lets try to be kind when we do get through

pro tip: if u get through, ask for a tier 2 specialist right away. they can actually fix stuff

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I'm gonna keep trying. This whole situation is just so stressful.

I found a way to get through! There's this site called claimyr.com that has a calling tool. It dials the phone menu, stays on hold, and then connects you when a live agent picks up. It costs $20, but it worked for me. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ

Anyone else feel like they're gonna scream if they hear 'due to unusually high call volumes' one more time? 😤

I feel your pain! I've been dealing with the same nightmare for weeks. One thing that's helped me is using the "comma method" - when you call and get to the automated menu, try pressing 1,2,4 really quickly with commas in between (like 1,,,,2,,,,4). Sometimes it bypasses some of the menu options and gets you in the queue faster. Also, I've had better luck calling exactly at 8:01 AM rather than right at 8:00 when everyone else is calling. Still takes forever but at least you're not immediately disconnected. Hang in there - we shouldn't have to become phone ninjas just to get basic help! 📞🥷

I've been in the exact same situation! After weeks of frustration, I finally got through using a combination of strategies. First, I set up multiple alarms to call at different times - 8:01 AM, 12:15 PM, and 3:30 PM seemed to work best for me. Second, I learned to navigate the phone menu super fast (press 1 for English, then 1 for UI, then 2 for existing claim). The key is being lightning quick before the system can tell you they're too busy. Third, when I finally got through to someone, I was overly polite and patient - the rep actually told me that makes a huge difference in how much they're willing to help. I know it's exhausting having to game the system like this, but don't give up! Your persistence will pay off eventually. In the meantime, make sure you're documenting every attempt to call in case you need to escalate later. You've got this! 💪

I've been lurking here for a while and finally decided to join because this thread is exactly what I needed to see! Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel less alone in this EDD nightmare. I've been trying to get through for about 3 weeks now with zero luck. The automated system just hangs up on me every single time. I'm definitely going to try some of these strategies - the comma method and calling at 8:01 AM sound promising. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to become phone system hackers just to get help with our claims, but I appreciate everyone sharing their tips and supporting each other through this mess. Sometimes it helps just knowing other people understand the struggle! 🤝

I just joined this community after struggling with the same EDD phone nightmare for over a month! Reading through all these comments has been both reassuring and infuriating - reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this broken system, but infuriating to see how widespread this problem is. I've tried calling at different times, used the fast menu navigation tricks, and even considered that Claimyr service (though $20 feels wrong for something that should be free). The "comma method" someone mentioned sounds intriguing - I had no idea you could manipulate the phone system like that! It's honestly dystopian that we need to become telecommunications ninjas just to access basic unemployment services. The fact that people are celebrating finally getting through after MONTHS of trying shows how completely broken this system is. Thanks to everyone sharing their strategies and supporting each other - at least we're not suffering in silence! 🤝

Just wanted to jump in and share my experience as someone who finally broke through the EDD phone fortress after 6 weeks of trying! 🎉 The key for me was combining several strategies I picked up from forums like this one. I used the rapid-fire menu navigation (1-1-2 as fast as possible), called at exactly 8:02 AM (not 8:00 or 8:01 when everyone else calls), and had all my documents ready to go. When I finally got a human, I was super polite and patient - turns out the rep had been dealing with angry callers all morning and really appreciated someone being kind. She went above and beyond to help me sort out my claim status. The whole ordeal is absolutely ridiculous and shouldn't require this level of strategic planning, but don't lose hope! Document every call attempt, try different times, and remember that the reps are human too. This community's tips and support have been invaluable - we're all just trying to get the help we deserve. Keep fighting the good fight, everyone! 💪

New member here! 👋 Just found this thread after spending the last two weeks in EDD phone hell myself. It's honestly both comforting and depressing to see I'm not alone in this struggle. I've been calling every day, multiple times a day, and getting that dreaded "due to high call volumes" message followed by an immediate hang-up. It's beyond frustrating when you're dealing with a time-sensitive claim issue and can't reach anyone for help. Reading through everyone's strategies here - the comma method, specific timing windows, the tier 2 specialist tip - gives me some hope that there might actually be ways to crack this system. I'm definitely going to try calling at 8:02 AM tomorrow with all my documents ready. It's ridiculous that we have to become phone ninjas just to access basic services, but I appreciate this community sharing their hard-won knowledge. At least we're all in this together! 🤝