CA PFL: Tips to reach EDD on phone? Automated system useless, need human contact
Has anyone else been struggling to get information about their benefits? I've been trying to reach someone on the phone for days now, but it's impossible to get through. The automated system is useless and I really need to speak with a real person. Any tips on how to actually talk to someone?
64 comments


Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve unemployment benefits communication issues, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucESMxjv4cw
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Destiny Bryant
Im in the same situation. been trying to get info on my benefits for weeks now. its so frustrating!!! why is it so hard to just talk to a human being??
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Dyllan Nantx
•Ikr? It's like they're trying to make us give up. Stay strong! 💪
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TillyCombatwarrior
•Have you tried calling from a different phone number? I've heard sometimes that works.
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Anna Xian
•It shouldn't be this hard, but hang in there. Hopefully persistence will pay off soon.
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Ana Rusula
Hey guys, I actually found a method that 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 the URL: https://claimyr.com
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Fidel Carson
•Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
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Isaiah Sanders
•$20 just to talk to someone? That's ridiculous. The system is so broken.
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Ana Rusula
•I know it sounds sketchy, but I swear it worked for me. After weeks of trying, I was desperate enough to try anything. It's not ideal, but at least I finally got my questions answered.
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Xan Dae
•While it's unfortunate that we have to pay for communication, sometimes investing in a solution like this can save weeks of frustration. Hope it remains reliable for others!
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Misterclamation Skyblue
Hey OP, have you tried reaching out to your local representative? Sometimes they can help push things along with unemployment offices.
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Oliver Brown
•I hadn't thought of that. Do you know how I would go about contacting them?
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•Just google your state + representative. Most have contact forms on their websites. Explain your situation and they might be able to help!
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Peyton Clarke
•Engaging with a representative can sometimes bring results, especially if they have influence over the state departments. Good luck!
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Fiona Gallagher
Here's what I've learned after months of dealing with this mess: 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. If you do get through, you don't want to waste time searching for documents. 4. Use the online portal as much as possible for basic stuff. 5. Reach out to your local representative. Sometimes they can help push things along. 6. Join Facebook groups or forums for your state's unemployment. People share tips and updates there. Hope this helps someone. We're all struggling, but we'll get through this together. 💪
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Oliver Brown
•Thank you so much for this detailed advice! I'll definitely try some of these tips.
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Thais Soares
•Great advice! I'd add: document EVERYTHING. Every call, every letter, every interaction. It might come in handy later.
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Nalani Liu
•Solid tips! It's always helpful to have a plan and explore every avenue available. Definitely helps alleviate some of the stress knowing you have options.
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Fernanda Marquez
Has anyone tried contacting them through social media? Sometimes companies respond faster there because it's public.
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Norman Fraser
•I tried tweeting at them but got crickets. Might work for others tho
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Kendrick Webb
•That's actually not a bad idea. I'll give it a shot and report back!
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Hattie Carson
•Social media can sometimes be a powerful tool, especially if you can rally others to voice their concerns. Maybe try different platforms?
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Statiia Aarssizan
Pro tip: if you do get through, ask for a direct number or extension for future calls. Sometimes they'll give you one!
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Reginald Blackwell
•That's smart! Having a direct line could save so much time in future interactions.
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Jungleboo Soletrain
Unpopular opinion: maybe if we all stop calling for a week, the lines will clear up and it'll be easier to get through 🤔
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Rajan Walker
•Yeah, good luck getting everyone to agree to that 😂
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Nadia Zaldivar
•Or maybe it'll just make them think everything's fine and they don't need to fix the system 🙄
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Lukas Fitzgerald
•Interesting concept, but it might backfire. The system needs reform, not just reduced calls.
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Romeo Quest
Claimyr's service is an innovative approach to tackling the current issues with contacting benefit offices. While some users have reported success, it's essential to consider the long-term implications of relying on paid services for essential government interactions. The $20 fee might be a worthwhile investment for those in desperate need, but it shouldn't become a permanent solution. It's important to continue advocating for better staffing and system reforms within unemployment offices. Moreover, while Claimyr can be a temporary fix, we must remain aware of other options and stay informed through community forums and updates. Ultimately, addressing these systemic issues requires collective effort, advocacy, and pushing for transparency and accessibility in government services. Balancing short-term solutions like Claimyr with long-term advocacy will help ensure that these services improve for everyone.
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Axel Bourke
lol good luck. i gave up after 2 months of trying. now im just hoping they'll backpay me eventually 🤷♂️
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Aidan Percy
•That's rough, but understandable. I hope you see some resolution soon. It's tough to have to wait on something so necessary.
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Ev Luca
guys i finaly got through!!! heres what i did: 1. called exactly at 8:01 am 2. pressed 1, then 2, then 4 in the menu 3. waited on hold for 3 hours (no joke) 4. finally talked to someone its not ideal but it worked. hope this helps someone!
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Oliver Brown
•Wow, congrats! Did you just stay on the line for 3 hours straight?
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Ev Luca
•yep, just put it on speaker and did other stuff. was afraid to hang up lol
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Avery Davis
•3 hours?! That's insane. But I guess if it works... 🤷♀️
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Collins Angel
•Props to your determination! It's unfortunate that such a long wait is necessary, but at least you got through.
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Effie Alexander
Sending positive vibes to everyone dealing with this mess. We'll get through it eventually! 🌈✨
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Oliver Brown
•Thank you! It's nice to know we're not alone in this.
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Melissa Lin
•We need all the positive vibes we can get! 🙏
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Lydia Santiago
•It's important to support each other through this challenging time. Stay strong, everyone!
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Kai Santiago
I feel your pain. It's like trying to win the lottery just to get basic information about our benefits. The system is totally broken.
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Lim Wong
•Preach! 🙌 It's a joke at this point. How are we supposed to survive when we can't even get answers?
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Dananyl Lear
•Maybe we should all show up at their office in person. Bet they'd answer the phone then! 😤
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Noah huntAce420
•It definitely feels like they are understaffed or overwhelmed. It's so exhausting having to fight for basic communication.
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Aria Khan
Has anyone had luck with the online chat feature? I've been thinking of trying that instead of calling.
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Everett Tutum
•I tried it once. Waited 2 hours only for the chat to disconnect 🙃
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Sunny Wang
•It's hit or miss. Sometimes it works great, other times it's just as frustrating as the phone.
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Hugh Intensity
•Online chat can be a viable option, but it's not foolproof. Maybe try multiple times or at different hours to improve chances.
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Mary Bates
Welcome to the club, buddy. We're all in the same boat here. I've been trying for weeks and still no luck. It's like they're purposely making it hard for us to get help.
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Clay blendedgen
•It's so disheartening. It feels like the system is designed to deter people from seeking the benefits they are entitled to. I hope things improve soon!
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Vince Eh
This whole situation is so messed up. We're just trying to get the benefits we're entitled to. It shouldn't be this hard. 😤
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Sophia Gabriel
•Agreed. It's like they're hoping we'll just give up.
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Tobias Lancaster
•We should organize a protest or something. This is ridiculous!
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Ezra Beard
•It's a frustrating situation. Public pressure can sometimes lead to positive change, so expressing concerns is valid.
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Ayla Kumar
Have you tried calling right when they open? I heard that's the best time to get through.
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Oliver Brown
•Yeah, I've tried that. I even set an alarm for 5 minutes before they open, but still no luck. It's so frustrating!
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Lorenzo McCormick
•I've heard that too, but honestly it's hit or miss. Sometimes the lines are jammed before they even officially open 🙄
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Carmella Popescu
•It seems like a popular strategy, but given the number of people trying the same method, it's not always effective. Maybe trying different days as well might help.
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Marcelle Drum
Anyone else feel like we're living in a dystopian novel? "The year is 2023, and citizens must battle a labyrinthine phone system for basic survival." 🤡
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Tate Jensen
•LOL too real 😂😭
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Adaline Wong
•Plot twist: the phone system is actually run by AI and there are no humans left 👀
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Gabriel Ruiz
•It's a sad reality when humor is the best way to cope with these systemic issues. Here's hoping for better systems in the future.
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Keisha Brown
I've been dealing with the same nightmare for over a month now. Here's what's worked for me so far: I started calling at 7:58 AM sharp (2 minutes before they officially open) and spam-dialing the number until I get through to the menu. Once I'm in, I select the options quickly and then just... wait. And wait. And wait. The longest I've been on hold was 4.5 hours, but I did eventually get through. I know it sounds insane, but I just put my phone on speaker, plugged it in to charge, and did other things while waiting. Also, make sure you have ALL your documents ready before you call - ID, Social Security card, any correspondence from EDD, your claim details, etc. When you finally get a human, you want to make the most of that precious time. Don't give up, everyone. The system is broken, but persistence does pay off sometimes.
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MidnightRider
•This is incredibly helpful advice! I'm definitely going to try the early morning spam-dialing strategy. 4.5 hours is brutal but if it works, it works. Thanks for sharing your experience and for the reminder about having documents ready - that's such a good point that I wouldn't have thought of until it was too late.
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