EDD phone lines always busy - Impossible to reach a real person. Any tips?

I found a way to solve unemployment phone line frustrations, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvcIy0KfJuE

Ugh, I feel your pain! I was in the same boat last month. It's like trying to win the lottery just to talk to someone. Have you tried calling right when they open? That worked for me once, but it took like 50 attempts 😫

I found a method that actually works to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ

Have you tried reaching out through their online portal? Sometimes that's faster than calling, although tbh their whole system is a dumpster fire 🔥

Here's what worked for me after weeks of trying: 1. Call exactly at 8:01 AM when they open 2. If you get a busy signal, hang up and immediately redial 3. Keep doing this for about 30 minutes straight 4. If you get through, DO NOT hang up no matter what 5. Be prepared to wait on hold for 2-3 hours It's a pain, but it eventually worked. Good luck!

I heard they're hiring more people to handle calls. Maybe it'll get better soon? 🤷‍♂️

Pro tip: if you have a friend or family member who speaks another language, try the non-English line. Sometimes those have shorter wait times.

I've been dealing with this for THREE MONTHS now. It's absolutely ridiculous. I'm behind on rent, can barely afford food, and these clowns can't even pick up a phone. Something needs to change.

Anybody else notice it's gotten even worse since that new update to their system? It's like they're actively trying to make it harder for us 🙃

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! It's incredibly frustrating. I've been calling every day for the past two weeks and can't get through. What really gets me is that when you finally do get connected to the automated system, it just tells you they're at capacity and hangs up on you. Like, at least put me in a queue! I've tried the early morning strategy too but no luck. It feels like they're deliberately making it impossible to reach them. Really hoping some of these tips from others work because I'm running out of options here.

I've been in the exact same situation for weeks now! The system is absolutely broken. What's worked for me a couple times is using multiple phones - have your cell phone, house phone, maybe even ask a friend to call at the same time right when they open. Sometimes one line gets through when others don't. Also, I found that Tuesday mornings seem to be slightly less busy than Mondays (probably because everyone tries Monday). Still took me literally 3 hours on hold, but I did eventually get through. Don't give up - I know it's soul-crushing but persistence is really the only way right now 😞

I'm dealing with this exact nightmare too! Been trying for over a month now and it's beyond frustrating. What's helped me a little is using a redial app on my phone - it automatically redials when it gets a busy signal so I don't have to sit there hitting redial manually for hours. Still haven't gotten through yet, but at least my finger doesn't hurt from pressing buttons all day 😅 Also found that keeping a detailed log of when I call helps me track patterns - like I noticed Wednesdays around 10:30am seem slightly less crazy than other times. The whole system is absolutely ridiculous though. We shouldn't have to become phone warriors just to get basic assistance!

This is absolutely insane that we all have to go through this! I've been trying for weeks too and it's like they've designed the system to be as inaccessible as possible. Reading through everyone's strategies here is both helpful and depressing - the fact that we need elaborate battle plans just to talk to someone about our benefits is ridiculous. I'm definitely going to try the multiple phone approach and that redial app idea sounds brilliant. Has anyone had any luck with social media? Like tweeting at EDD or messaging them on Facebook? Sometimes companies respond faster to public complaints than phone calls. At this point I'm willing to try carrier pigeons if it means getting through to an actual human being! 😤

This thread is both incredibly helpful and deeply depressing at the same time! Reading everyone's strategies makes me realize I'm not alone in this nightmare, but also shows just how broken the system really is. I've been trying for about 3 weeks now with zero success. The automated system hanging up instead of putting you in a queue is the most infuriating part - like, just let me wait! I'd rather sit on hold for 4 hours than get hung up on instantly. Going to try combining some of these strategies tomorrow: multiple phones at 8:01 AM, that redial app @Emma Davis mentioned, and maybe hitting up social media like @Saleem Vaziri suggested. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need to become professional phone warriors just to access our own benefits, but here we are. Thanks everyone for sharing what's worked (and what hasn't) - at least we're all suffering together! 💪

I'm going through this exact same hell right now! Been trying for almost 3 weeks and it's absolutely maddening. What really gets me is how the system just cuts you off instead of at least putting you in a queue - like, I'd happily wait 5 hours if it meant I could actually talk to someone! Reading through all these strategies is both encouraging and heartbreaking. It's wild that we need to coordinate military-style operations just to access basic services we're entitled to. I'm definitely going to try the multi-phone approach at 8:01 AM and that redial app idea. Also thinking about camping out at a local EDD office if there are any still open for in-person visits? Probably a long shot but at this point I'm willing to try anything. Thanks to everyone sharing their war stories - at least we know we're not going crazy alone! 🤬

I'm in the exact same boat - been trying for over 2 weeks now and it's absolutely infuriating! The worst part is when you finally get past the busy signal and think you're making progress, only to have the system tell you they're at maximum capacity and just hang up. No queue, no callback option, nothing! I've been taking notes on everyone's strategies here and I'm planning to go full tactical tomorrow morning. Going to try the 8:01 AM sharp approach with multiple devices, downloaded a redial app, and even thinking about having my roommate help call simultaneously. It's insane that accessing basic unemployment benefits requires this level of coordination, but desperate times and all that. Has anyone tried physically going to a local office? I know most are appointment-only now, but wondering if showing up in person might be more effective than this phone lottery we're all stuck playing. At this point I'm willing to camp out if it means actually talking to a human being! 😤