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- Connect you to a human agent at the EDD
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- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
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- 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 :)
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To all those having trouble reaching a human at the EDD. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
I've had this exact issue before! Usually when you get the "technical issue" message at a ATM, it's either the machine is temporarily out of cash or there's a connection problem with the card network. Since there's only one in your town, I'd suggest trying a different bank's that accepts your card (most debit cards work at multiple networks). You can also try going inside the bank branch when they're open - the tellers can usually do a manual even when the is having issues. If it keeps happening, definitely call the customer service number on the back of your card to make sure there aren't any holds or restrictions on your account.
Thanks for the helpful advice! I didn't know you could do manual withdrawals inside the branch when the is down. I've been dealing with similar issues lately and was getting frustrated. Do you know if there are usually any fees for using other banks' ATMs with the card, or is it worth it to just wait and try the again later?
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This whole thread is a perfect example of how broken the EDD communication system is. I went through this exact same nightmare 3 months ago and it's clear nothing has changed. The fact that so many people are confused about the PIN creation process shows that EDD needs to completely rewrite their instructions. It shouldn't take a Reddit-style community thread to figure out basic card activation! For anyone still struggling: call Money Network customer service at 1-866-320-8699, tell them you're trying to activate your EDD card and need help creating your PIN. Don't waste time with the automated system - go straight to a human. And definitely set up direct deposit ASAP so you never have to deal with this card nonsense again.
Absolutely agree! I'm new here but this thread just saved me so much frustration. I got my EDD card today and was about to spend hours trying to figure out the PIN situation. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences, I called customer service directly and got everything sorted in under 15 minutes. It's honestly crazy that EDD makes this process so unnecessarily confusing - a simple note saying "you'll create your PIN during activation" would solve 90% of these issues. Really appreciate this community for helping each other navigate these broken systems!
Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this same ordeal a few weeks ago. The PIN creation process is definitely the most confusing part of getting your EDD benefits card working. What helped me was calling the Money Network customer service line during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) when wait times are shorter. The rep I spoke with explained that the "enter your PIN" prompt during activation is actually asking you to CREATE a new 4-digit PIN right then and there - it's not looking for an existing one. Once I understood that, the whole process took about 5 minutes. Also, pro tip: write down your PIN immediately and store it somewhere safe! I almost forgot mine the next day when I went to use the card. The direct deposit suggestion from others here is spot on too - I switched to that for my next payment and it's so much faster than waiting for the card to be loaded.
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I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and completely understand your anxiety! When I got that "something that can make you ineligible" message after reporting my $4,800 severance, I was convinced I'd somehow messed up my claim. But it really is just standard procedure when any severance is reported - their system automatically triggers the interview requirement. During my phone interview, the EDD representative was actually pretty straightforward and professional. They asked: 1) Why I was separated from work (layoff vs. firing vs. quitting), 2) Whether my severance was paid as a lump sum or ongoing payments, 3) If there were any work restrictions in my severance agreement, and 4) Whether I was available for full-time work and actively job searching. The whole interview took about 20 minutes, and I had my benefits approved within 2 business days afterward. My biggest advice is to have your termination letter and severance agreement documents ready to reference, and keep your answers clear and direct. Since you were laid off due to position elimination and received a lump sum payment, you should be in good shape. The fact that you reported everything honestly from the start definitely works in your favor!
Thank you so much for sharing your detailed experience! It's incredibly reassuring to hear that the interview was straightforward and professional rather than some kind of interrogation. I was really worried I had somehow made a mistake by reporting my severance, but it sounds like being honest upfront was definitely the right call. I love that you broke down the exact questions they asked - that gives me a much better idea of what to expect. I have my termination letter (clearly states "position elimination") and severance agreement ready to go. The 2-day approval timeline after your interview gives me a lot of hope too! Really appreciate you taking the time to walk through your whole experience.
I'm a former EDD claims specialist and can confirm that reporting severance automatically triggers an eligibility interview - it's completely normal and doesn't mean you did anything wrong. The interview is mainly to distinguish between severance that counts as "wages" (which could delay benefits) versus a lump sum payment for past service (which typically doesn't affect eligibility). Since you mentioned your position was eliminated and you received a one-time payment, you should be fine. The key things they'll verify: your separation was involuntary, the severance structure, and that you're available for work. Have your layoff documentation ready and answer their questions directly without over-explaining. Most people in your situation get approved within a few days after the interview. You did the right thing by reporting everything honestly!
This is incredibly valuable insight from someone who actually worked at EDD! Thank you so much for explaining the distinction between severance as "wages" versus a lump sum payment - that really helps me understand what they're looking for. It's such a relief to hear from an insider that this is completely routine and that my situation (involuntary separation + one-time payment) should work in my favor. I feel so much more prepared now knowing exactly what they're trying to verify. Really appreciate you sharing your expertise!
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i heard theres a new program for restaurant workers who lost jobs bc of minimum wage increases but my cousin applied and never got approved so maybe its not real
That's not a real program. There's no special unemployment category for restaurant workers affected by minimum wage changes. Your cousin should apply for regular UI if they lost their job, regardless of the reason for the layoff (as long as it wasn't for misconduct).
Just wanted to add that while the COVID programs are definitely gone, there are still some other resources that might help supplement your unemployment benefits. Look into CalFresh (food stamps) and your local food banks - many don't have strict income requirements right now. Also check if your county has emergency rental assistance programs. I know LA County and some others still have funds available for people who recently became unemployed. It won't replace those pandemic benefit amounts, but every little bit helps when you're trying to cover $2,100 rent on regular UI. Hang in there!
This is really helpful advice! I didn't even think about CalFresh or rental assistance programs. Does anyone know if there are income limits for these programs when you're on unemployment? I'm worried that even regular UI might put me over the threshold for some assistance programs.
Charlotte White
I'm currently on day 2 after mailing my application and honestly, finding this thread feels like striking gold! I was already starting to panic about not being able to track anything, but reading through everyone's real experiences here is so reassuring. Just created my UI Online account this morning and got the predictable "no claim found" message, but now I know that's totally normal for the first 10-14 days. The financial anxiety is definitely kicking in though - I've got about $400 in savings and unemployment ran out from my previous job, so every day counts. It's incredible how much more useful this community discussion is compared to EDD's official website. They really should have a clear FAQ explaining that mail applications disappear into this processing black hole for nearly two weeks! Based on everyone's timelines here, I'm looking at roughly 8-12 more days before my claim appears online, but at least I'll be ready to certify digitally right away once it does. Planning to check once daily instead of obsessing over it (though that'll be tough with the stress). Thanks to everyone who shared their day-by-day experiences - you're keeping those of us in the early stages from completely losing our minds! This waiting period is brutal but knowing what to expect makes it so much more manageable. 🤞
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Adrian Hughes
•You're absolutely right about this thread being gold! I'm so glad you found it early in your process - day 2 is perfect timing to get mentally prepared for what's ahead. I went through this same waiting period a few months back and the anxiety is so real, especially when money is tight like yours. $400 should hopefully get you through the waiting period based on the timelines everyone's shared here (most claims appearing days 10-14). The hardest part is definitely the not knowing, but you're handling it exactly right by getting informed and setting realistic expectations. That once-daily checking strategy is smart - I know it's tempting to refresh constantly but it really does make the time drag. You're looking at probably 8-12 more days which feels like forever when you're stressed, but you'll be through the worst part soon and then everything speeds up dramatically once you're in the system. This community really is doing EDD's job better than they are! Hang in there - you've got this and we're all rooting for each other through this process! 💪
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Collins Angel
I'm currently on day 1 after mailing my application and wow, this thread is exactly what I needed to find! Just stumbled across it while frantically googling whether I could track my mailed UI claim online. I haven't even created my UI Online account yet, but based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should go ahead and do that now even though I know I'll get the "no claim found" message. At least then I'll be ready to certify online immediately once my claim appears in the system. The financial stress is already hitting - I've got maybe $500 to my name and bills coming due soon. But reading through all these detailed day-by-day timelines where people's claims showed up between days 10-14 gives me a realistic expectation of what I'm facing. It's actually comforting to know there's a predictable pattern here, even if the waiting sucks. It's honestly ridiculous that EDD doesn't clearly explain this processing delay anywhere official. This community is providing better information than their entire website! I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and check back as I go through my own waiting period. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - you're helping keep newcomers like me from completely panicking during what's already a really stressful time. Off to create that UI Online account now! 🙏
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