EDD: Always at max callers, can't reach rep about claim. Help!

I found a way to solve long unemployment claim phone waits, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI8J1HBxYHY

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 after a few attempts.

Pro tip: I found a method 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. Check out this video for more info: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM

This is rediculous. We shouldn't have to jump through hoops just to get basic service. Has anyone tried contacting their local representative? Maybe if enough of us complain, they'll do something about this mess.

I've had success using the online portal to submit questions. It takes a few days to get a response, but at least you don't have to deal with the phone system. Have you tried that?

Okay, here's what worked for me after weeks of trying: 1. Call exactly at 8:01 AM when they open. 2. If you get the 'maximum callers' message, hang up and immediately redial. 3. Repeat step 2 for about 15-20 minutes. 4. If you still can't get through, try again at 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM. 5. Use all available phone lines (cell, landline, etc.) to increase your chances. 6. Be persistent! It took me almost two weeks of doing this every day. Also, make sure you have all your info ready when you do get through. They might transfer you, so be prepared to wait on hold for a while. Good luck! The system is broken, but don't give up. 💪

have u tried the automated system? sometimes u can get ur questions answered without talking to a person

This might sound crazy, but I had success calling at like 4:55 PM, right before they close. I think everyone else gives up by then, so the lines are clearer. Worth a shot!

I just went through this same nightmare last week! After reading all these suggestions, I combined a few strategies that finally worked. I called at 8:01 AM sharp using the rapid redial method @NeonNebula mentioned, but I also had my partner calling from their phone at the same time. It took about 12 minutes of constant redialing, but we both got through on different lines! They were able to transfer my call to the right department. Also, @Malik Thomas is right about the online portal - I submitted a question there too as backup, and actually got a response 3 days later. Don't lose hope @Paolo Longo, the system is absolutely broken but persistence pays off! 🙏

I went through this exact same frustration a few months ago when I needed to discuss my PFL claim. What finally worked for me was a combination of calling right at 8:00 AM (not 8:01 - literally as soon as they open) and using a technique where I'd call from two different phones simultaneously. The key is to have your claim number, SSN, and all relevant documents ready to go before you even start dialing. I also found that Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be slightly less busy than Mondays and Fridays. The whole system is incredibly broken and it's honestly shameful that we have to jump through these hoops just to access benefits we're entitled to. Keep pushing - you WILL get through eventually! 💪

Just wanted to share another approach that worked for me - I actually had success using the callback feature! If you can manage to get into the phone queue (even if it says long wait times), there's sometimes an option to request a callback instead of staying on hold. I got a call back within 3 hours, which was way better than sitting on hold all day. Not sure if this option is always available, but it's worth listening for when you do get through the initial phone tree. Also, seconding what others said about having EVERYTHING ready - your claim number, dates, any correspondence numbers, etc. The reps move fast and don't have time to wait while you look things up. Hang in there @Paolo Longo - the persistence will pay off! 🤞

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to reach someone about my PFL claim for over a week. Reading through all these strategies is giving me hope though. I'm going to try the 8:00 AM sharp approach with multiple phones tomorrow, and maybe that callback feature if I can actually get into the queue. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need a whole battle plan just to talk to someone about our own benefits. The system is completely broken. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually works - at least we're helping each other navigate this mess! 💪

I've been lurking on this thread and finally decided to share what worked for me after 3 weeks of pure frustration! I tried all the timing strategies mentioned here (8 AM sharp, afternoon calls, etc.) but what FINALLY broke through was calling on a Thursday at exactly 7:59 AM and having my call ready to go the SECOND the clock hit 8:00. I also discovered that if you press 1-3-4 really quickly during the automated menu, sometimes it bypasses some of the initial screening and gets you deeper into the queue before it cuts you off. Another trick - I kept a notepad with tally marks of every attempt so I could track patterns in when I got furthest. Turns out I had better luck on days when I called exactly 67 times in that first hour (weird, I know, but data doesn't lie!). The whole system is absolutely broken and frankly embarrassing, but don't give up! When I finally got through, the rep was actually super helpful and resolved my issue in 15 minutes. All that struggle for a 15-minute conversation - makes you want to scream! 😤

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been dealing with the same exact issue trying to reach someone about my PFL claim. It's absolutely mind-blowing that we need to strategize like we're planning a military operation just to access basic government services. I'm taking notes on all these tips - the 8:00 AM sharp timing, multiple phone strategy, the 1-3-4 button sequence from @Emily Sanjay, and definitely going to try that callback feature if I can get into the queue. The fact that @Emily Sanjay had to call 67 times in one hour shows just how broken this system really is. It shouldn't take weeks of persistence and crowd-sourced hacks just to talk to someone about benefits we're entitled to. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually works - at least we're helping each other navigate this nightmare! Going to gear up for battle tomorrow morning! 💪

I just wanted to jump in and say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm dealing with the exact same issue - been trying to reach EDD about my PFL claim for almost two weeks now and getting nowhere. The amount of strategic planning required just to speak with a government representative about our own benefits is absolutely ridiculous, but I'm grateful everyone is sharing their success stories and tips. I'm going to combine several of the strategies mentioned here: calling at exactly 8:00 AM (not 8:01!) with multiple phones, trying that 1-3-4 button sequence trick from @Emily Sanjay, and keeping detailed notes like she did. If I can get into the queue, I'll definitely listen for that callback option @Harper Collins mentioned. It's both inspiring and infuriating reading about everyone's persistence - 67 calls in one hour, weeks of daily attempts, coordinating with spouses to call simultaneously. We shouldn't have to become phone warriors just to access basic services, but clearly that's what it takes with this broken system. Thanks to everyone who shared what actually worked. I'll update this thread if I have any success with these battle-tested methods! The solidarity here gives me hope that persistence will eventually pay off. 🙏

This thread is a goldmine! I've been struggling with the same EDD phone nightmare for my PFL claim and was starting to think it was impossible. Reading everyone's war stories and battle-tested strategies is giving me so much hope and a concrete action plan. I'm particularly intrigued by @Emily Sanjay's scientific approach with the tally marks and that 1-3-4 button sequence hack - never would have thought to track attempts that methodically! The multi-phone strategy at exactly 8:00 AM seems to be the most consistent winner based on everyone's experiences. What really strikes me is how we've essentially reverse-engineered this broken system and created our own community support network. It's simultaneously inspiring (look how we help each other!) and absolutely shameful that we NEED to do this just to access basic government services we're entitled to. I'm gearing up for my own phone assault tomorrow morning armed with all these tips. Will definitely report back with results - whether success or new strategies discovered in failure! Thanks to everyone for not giving up and sharing the knowledge. This community is proof that persistence and solidarity can overcome even the most ridiculous bureaucratic obstacles! 🔥

Wow, this thread is incredible! I'm a newcomer dealing with the exact same PFL claim phone nightmare and stumbled across this community while desperately searching for solutions. I've been banging my head against the wall for 10 days straight trying to reach someone, and reading all these detailed battle strategies is giving me actual hope for the first time! @Emily Sanjay, your scientific approach with the tally marks and that 1-3-4 button sequence is genius - I never would have thought to track attempts so methodically! And @Millie Long, that tip about waiting 30 seconds after the "maximum callers" message instead of hanging up immediately is something I definitely want to try. The fact that we've essentially created our own underground resistance network to crack a broken government system is both amazing and absolutely infuriating. We shouldn't need to become phone ninjas with military-precision timing just to access benefits we're legally entitled to, but here we are sharing intelligence like we're planning a heist! 😅 I'm definitely going to try the multi-phone strategy at exactly 8:00 AM tomorrow, combined with all the tips you've all shared. The solidarity in this thread is keeping me motivated when I was honestly ready to give up. Thanks to everyone for not just suffering in silence and actually sharing what works - this community is proof that together we can beat even the most ridiculous bureaucratic obstacles! 🙏

I'm new to this community but dealing with the exact same frustration trying to reach EDD about my PFL claim! This thread is absolutely incredible - it's like stumbling into a secret resistance movement with all the battle-tested strategies and solidarity. I've been trying for 8 days with zero success, but reading everyone's detailed tactics is giving me actual hope. The fact that @Emily Sanjay had to make 67 calls in one hour and track it with tally marks is both inspiring and completely insane - we shouldn't need to become data scientists just to access our own benefits! I'm definitely going to try the 8:00 AM sharp timing with multiple phones, that 1-3-4 button sequence hack, and @Millie Long's tip about waiting 30 seconds after the "maximum callers" message. It's ridiculous that we need to coordinate like we're planning a military operation, but I'm grateful this community exists. The shared knowledge here is invaluable when the official system has completely failed us. Going to gear up for tomorrow morning's phone assault - will report back with results! Thanks everyone for not giving up and helping each other navigate this broken system! 🙏