Can't reach California Unemployment? Claimyr connects you to a live EDD agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the EDD
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- 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 :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm in a similar situation with my benefits expiring in about 6 weeks. I've been taking some free coding courses on freeCodeCamp and was worried I'd have to start over completely. After reading all these responses, I'm planning to visit my local AJCC office next week to explore the community college and Calbright options mentioned here. One additional resource I found that might help others - the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office has a program locator tool on their website where you can search for career education programs by field and location. I used it to find several data analytics and computer programming certificates in my area that are likely on the ETPL list. It's at cccco.edu if anyone wants to check it out. Also wanted to thank @Oliver Zimmermann for posting this question originally - your situation sounds almost identical to mine and this thread probably saved me from making the same Coursera mistake! Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and resources here.
Thanks for sharing that community college program locator tool @Nick Kravitz! That's exactly the kind of resource I was looking for. I just checked it out and found several programs in my area that I hadn't considered before. It's amazing how many options are actually available once you know where to look. I'm also planning to visit my local AJCC office soon - seems like that's the consistent advice everyone is giving here. It's reassuring to hear from so many people who've successfully navigated this process, even though it initially seemed so confusing and overwhelming. This thread really shows the value of community knowledge sharing! Good luck with your AJCC visit - hope you find a program that works for your goals and timeline!
As someone who just went through this process, I wanted to add that timing is absolutely critical! I made the mistake of waiting too long to start the paperwork and almost had a gap in my benefits. Here's what I wish I'd known earlier: 1. Start the process AT LEAST 6 weeks before your benefits expire if possible 2. Have backup options ready - I applied to 3 different programs just in case one fell through 3. Keep detailed records of all your communications with EDD, AJCC, and schools - you'll need to reference them later 4. Some AJCC offices are way more helpful than others - if yours isn't responsive, try calling a different location in your area Also, for anyone considering the community college route - many offer "short-term career training" programs that are 6 months or less and specifically designed for UI recipients. These are often fast-tracked for ETPL approval. I ended up in a 4-month cybersecurity program that got me both the benefits extension AND landed me a job before I even finished! Don't give up if the first person you talk to says "no" - keep pushing and asking to speak to supervisors. The system is confusing but it absolutely works if you're persistent!
This is such valuable advice, thank you @Aurora St.Pierre! Your point about starting 6 weeks early really hits home - I'm cutting it way too close with only 3 weeks left on my benefits. The backup options strategy is brilliant too, I hadn't thought of applying to multiple programs simultaneously. I'm curious about your cybersecurity program - was that through a community college or a different type of institution? And did you have any prior IT experience, or were you completely switching fields? I'm trying to gauge whether someone like me coming from retail management could realistically succeed in a tech-focused program while also dealing with the stress of the whole benefits situation. Also, that's amazing that you landed a job before finishing the program! Did employers seem to value that you were in an EDD-approved training program, or was it more about the specific skills you were learning? Just trying to understand if there are any additional benefits to these approved programs beyond just the benefits extension.
Join the conversation
I'm currently going through this exact same situation and this thread has been incredibly valuable! Just got my letter yesterday about losing Medi-Cal due to unemployment putting me over the income threshold. Reading everyone's experiences has transformed my panic into actual hope. I'm particularly grateful for the detailed advice about Enhanced Silver plans and the tip about getting 90-day prescription refills while Medi-Cal is still active. I had no idea there were subsidized options specifically designed for people in our income bracket - the $28-67/month premiums people mentioned are so much more manageable than I expected. Planning to start my application online tonight and call first thing tomorrow morning at 8 AM. It's amazing how much less overwhelming this feels when you understand the actual process and timeline. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - you're literally helping people navigate one of the most stressful situations unemployment can throw at you!
@Khalid Howes I m'dealing with this same situation right now too! Got my letter on Monday and have been stressed all week about it. This thread has been such a lifesaver - I had no idea about the Enhanced Silver plans or that there were subsidies available for people in our income range. The tip about having your EDD payment stub ready is really helpful - I wouldn t'have thought to gather that documentation beforehand. I m'planning to call tomorrow too, so maybe we ll'both have good news to share! It s'crazy how much better this feels when you realize there are actually affordable options available instead of just losing coverage entirely. Thanks for sharing your timeline - knowing you re'going through the exact same process right now makes it feel less isolating. We ve'got this!
@Khalid Howes @Marcus Marsh Best of luck to both of you calling tomorrow! I went through this transition about 6 months ago and it s such'a relief once you get through to them and see your actual options. One thing that really helped me prepare was writing down all my questions beforehand - things like What s "the'effective date of coverage? , Are"my "current doctors in-network? , and"What are "the prescription copays? Having a" list kept me focused during the call instead of forgetting important details. Also, don t be'surprised if they offer you multiple Silver plan options with different trade-offs between monthly premiums and copays. Take notes on each one so you can compare them properly. The Enhanced Silver plans 87, 94 (really are) designed perfectly for people transitioning off Medi-Cal due to unemployment income. You re both'going to do great! This community has been so helpful for navigating these transitions - please update us on how your calls go tomorrow. The hardest part is behind you now that you know what to expect!
I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this thread has been such a lifesaver! Just got my Covered California letter on Tuesday saying my unemployment benefits put me over the Medi-Cal income limit. Reading everyone's success stories with the Enhanced Silver plans has completely changed my perspective - I went from total panic to actually feeling optimistic about finding affordable coverage. The fact that so many people ended up with monthly premiums under $50 and low copays is incredible. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about starting my application online tonight and calling at 8 AM sharp tomorrow. The tip about having my EDD payment documentation ready is so helpful - I would have been scrambling to find that during the call. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had experience with how the Silver plans compare to Medi-Cal for things like urgent care visits or emergency room coverage? I tend to get respiratory infections that sometimes need urgent care, and I want to make sure I understand what my out-of-pocket costs might look like. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for helping people navigate these confusing transitions!
@Asher Levin Great question about urgent care and ER coverage! I went through this transition about 8 months ago and was worried about the same thing since I also deal with respiratory issues that sometimes need immediate attention. With my Silver 94 plan, urgent care visits are $25 copays compared (to $0 with Medi-Cal ,)and ER visits are $150 if you re'not admitted to the hospital. It s'definitely more expensive than Medi-Cal, but still very manageable compared to what you d'pay without insurance. Plus, if you do get admitted from the ER, that $150 copay gets waived. One thing I discovered is that many Silver plans also cover telehealth visits for only $5-10, which has been great for those times when I m'not sure if I need urgent care or can handle things with a prescription. Sometimes a quick video call with a doctor can save you that urgent care visit entirely. The Enhanced Silver plans really do have excellent coverage - the cost-sharing reductions make them almost as comprehensive as Medi-Cal. You re'going to be in good shape once you get enrolled! Good luck with your call tomorrow morning!
@Asher Levin I just went through this transition last month and had similar concerns about urgent care costs! With my Silver 87 plan, urgent care visits are $20 copays and ER visits are $125 waived (if admitted .)It s'more than Medi-Cal s'$0 copays but still very reasonable. One tip that s'saved me money - many Silver plans include 24/7 nurse hotlines where you can call and get advice on whether you actually need urgent care or if it can wait for a regular appointment. I ve'used this twice for respiratory symptoms and both times they helped me determine I could manage with my primary care doctor the next day instead of paying for urgent care. Also, if you have ongoing respiratory issues, make sure to ask about the prescription coverage when you call tomorrow. My inhaler went from free under Medi-Cal to $15 copay with Silver, which is still totally manageable. The Enhanced Silver plans really do maintain most of the benefits you re'used to with just slightly higher copays. You re'going to do great tomorrow! Having your documentation ready and calling right at 8 AM will make all the difference.
Join the conversation
any luck? im having the same problem now and freaking out
That's such a relief to hear! I'm going to submit a support ticket right now through that help.id.me link. Did you have to wait long for the video call appointment, or were they able to do it pretty quickly once they responded?
@Amy Fleming That s'awesome that you got it resolved! For the video call, they actually let me schedule it within about 6 hours of getting their email response. The whole call only took like 10 minutes - they just had me hold up my ID next to my face and asked a few verification questions. Way easier than I expected! @StarSailor definitely submit that ticket ASAP, the sooner you get in their queue the better.
I went through this exact same nightmare about 6 months ago! What finally worked for me was calling ID.me early in the morning (like 8 AM Pacific) - the wait times were way shorter. But honestly, the support ticket route through help.id.me that others mentioned is probably your best bet. One thing I learned is that you can also try reaching out to your state assemblyperson's office - they have constituent services that can sometimes help escalate these kinds of issues with state agencies. It sounds weird but my friend did this when she was stuck in ID.me limbo and they actually got her case prioritized. Worth a shot if the direct routes don't work! Hope you get this sorted out soon - I know how stressful it is when you can't access your benefits! 🤞
Join the conversation
Just wanted to add my experience to help ease your worries! I went through this exact situation last year when I got married in the middle of being laid off. I was so stressed about the name mismatch, but it turned out to be way less complicated than I thought. Like others have said, definitely use your Social Security name when filing - that's what they match everything against. I brought my marriage certificate to the EDD office (this was pre-pandemic when you could still walk in) and they just made a copy for their records. The whole thing was resolved in about 10 days. The EDD staff told me they see this situation constantly, especially during wedding season! You're definitely not the first person to deal with this, so don't let the anxiety get to you. You have all the right documentation and you'll be fine! Congrats on the marriage btw! 🎊
This is so reassuring to hear! I'm actually in a very similar situation right now - got married last month and just found out I might be getting laid off next week. Your timeline of 10 days gives me hope that it won't drag on forever. The fact that you were able to walk into an EDD office back then sounds like it made things so much easier! I'm wondering - when you brought your marriage certificate, did they ask for any other documents or was that sufficient along with your Social Security card? Thanks for sharing your experience and the congrats! 💕
I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Just got married two months ago and my employer announced layoffs yesterday. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - I had no idea this was such a common issue. It's really reassuring to see that so many people have navigated this successfully. I'm planning to follow the advice about using my Social Security name and having all my documents ready. One question though - for those who went through this, did you file online or over the phone? I'm wondering if one method is easier than the other when you have a name change situation. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! 🤞
Hey Andre! I actually just went through this process a few months ago and I filed online - it was super straightforward! The online system has a section where you can upload supporting documents, which made it really easy to attach my marriage certificate right away. I think online might actually be better than phone because you have everything documented and can take your time filling it out without feeling rushed. Plus you avoid the whole "trying to get someone on the phone" nightmare that everyone's been talking about! Just make sure you have all your docs scanned and ready to upload before you start. Good luck with everything! 🍀
Yuki Sato
Has anyone tried the local Assembly member route? My cousin was stuck for over a month and then contacted her district's Assembly person and they helped push it through within a week. Might be worth trying if the phone hell continues?
0 coins
Carmen Ruiz
•This is actually an excellent suggestion. Your state Assembly member or Senator's office often has dedicated staff who work on constituent services, including EDD issues. They have established channels to escalate problems. For anyone considering this option, visit findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov to locate your representatives. Their office will typically require you to complete a privacy release form allowing them to inquire about your claim.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
•I hadn't even thought of this option. I'll definitely try the phone again tomorrow, but if that doesn't work I'll look up my Assembly member. Thank you!
0 coins
Zoe Alexopoulos
Just wanted to update - I finally got through! The trick was calling the 833 number at exactly 8:01am and following the menu options that @profile1 suggested. Waited about 35 minutes but finally spoke to someone. Turns out I had an identity verification issue that wasn't showing on my online account. The rep helped clear it up and my pending payments should be processed in 24-48 hours. Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions!
0 coins
StarStrider
•congrats!!! so jealous but happy for u lol. gives me hope for my next pending disaster
0 coins
Keisha Taylor
•That's amazing news! I'm so glad you got through and got it resolved. Identity verification issues seem to be really common right now. I'm definitely going to try the 8:01am call tomorrow using those exact menu options. Fingers crossed I have the same success!
0 coins