Yes, I've had multiple EDD employees hang up on me too! It's incredibly frustrating when you've been waiting for hours just to get disconnected. I've found that sometimes calling early in the morning (like right when they open at 8am) gives you a better chance of reaching someone who's less overwhelmed. Also, I always try to stay calm and polite even when I'm angry - some reps seem more willing to help when you're not yelling at them (though I totally understand the urge to!). Has anyone else noticed certain times of day work better for getting through?

Yes, this has happened to me multiple times! It's so frustrating because you spend literally hours trying to get through, and then when you finally do, they just hang up without warning. I've had reps hang up when I asked to speak to a supervisor, when I questioned why my claim was taking so long, and once even when I was just trying to verify my identity. It feels like they have zero accountability. I've started taking notes of every call - the time, the rep's name if they give it, and what happened - just in case I need to escalate this somewhere. Has anyone had success filing complaints about this behavior?

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, you can also try visiting a local EDD office in person if there's one near you. I know it's not convenient, but sometimes the in-person staff can help with account issues like this when the phone lines are swamped. Bring all your ID documents and any paperwork you have from your previous claim. They were able to reset my security questions on the spot when I had a similar issue last year. Worth considering as a backup option if the phone calls don't work out!

I went through this exact same frustration about 3 months ago! Here's what worked for me: I called the EDD technical support line (1-833-978-2511) at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday and got through in about 20 minutes. The rep was really helpful once I explained I needed a "security question reset" due to forgotten answers. They verified my identity using my SSN, full name, DOB, last employer info, and surprisingly they also asked for my mother's maiden name (which was one of my original security questions I couldn't remember - ironic!). The whole reset process took about 10 minutes once they confirmed my identity. Pro tip: When you set up your new security questions, use your phone's notes app to write down both the questions AND answers immediately. I made that mistake the first time thinking I'd remember, but honestly who remembers what their "first pet's name" was from 2 years ago when you've had multiple pets? Also bring up your bank account while on the call - they might ask for your last payment date or amount as extra verification. Having all that info ready speeds things up significantly. You should be able to get back into your account the same day. Hang in there!

I've been following this thread and want to add my two cents as someone who recently went through the EDD nightmare. After being unemployed for 8 months and dealing with a frozen claim, I finally got resolution last month. Here's what worked for me: 1) I called first thing Monday morning at exactly 8:00 AM - seems like they reset their phone queues then, 2) I kept a detailed log of every call attempt with timestamps, 3) I contacted my assemblyperson's office after 3 months of no progress (they were incredibly helpful!), and 4) I joined local Facebook groups where people share real-time tips about which phone numbers are working. The key is persistence and having multiple strategies. Don't rely on just one approach. Also, if you're tech-savvy, there are some browser extensions that can help automate the calling process. The system is definitely broken, but there are ways to work around it. Hang in there everyone - your benefits ARE coming, it just takes way longer than it should. Stay strong! 💪

Just wanted to jump in here as someone new to this community. I'm currently dealing with my own EDD situation - been waiting 3 months for my claim to be processed after being laid off from my retail job. Reading through all these experiences is both reassuring and terrifying! It's crazy that so many of us are going through the same struggle with the system. I'm definitely going to try some of the strategies mentioned here, especially the Monday 8 AM calling tip and reaching out to my assemblyperson's office. Has anyone had success with the EDD customer service chat feature, or is calling still the best option? Also curious if anyone knows whether weekends are completely pointless to try calling or if there's any skeleton crew working then. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this mess! 🙏

Reading through all these experiences really highlights how much we have to become our own advocates when dealing with EDD! I've been on unemployment for about 4 months now and this thread is like a masterclass in practical EDD survival tips. The combination of setting up bank alerts, screenshotting everything, keeping a tracking spreadsheet, and knowing about the automated balance line for the EDD card - these are the real-world strategies that actually matter. It's frustrating that we have to figure all this out through trial and error and community support rather than having EDD provide clear guidance, but I'm so grateful for forums like this where people share what they've learned. I'm definitely implementing several of these tips going forward, especially the Sunday morning certification timing and the documentation practices. Thanks to everyone for turning what could have been a panic-inducing situation into a learning opportunity for the whole community!

This entire thread has been incredibly educational! I'm about 3 months into my EDD journey and experiencing my first payment delay this week - was starting to panic until I found this discussion. The collective wisdom here is amazing: from checking the EDD notices page to setting up bank alerts, documenting everything with screenshots, and even the tip about certifying early Sunday morning. It's both reassuring and frustrating to see how common these delays are, but knowing there are specific things we can do to better navigate the system makes me feel much more prepared. I'm definitely going to start implementing the spreadsheet tracking system and screenshot documentation right away. Thanks to everyone for sharing their hard-earned knowledge - this community is truly a lifeline when dealing with EDD's quirks and poor communication!

To answer your follow-up question about split severance payments - yes, you report each payment separately during certification for the specific weeks you receive them. So report the first payment during certification that includes May 15, and the second payment during certification that includes June 15. Each will only affect benefits for those specific weeks. One last piece of advice: take screenshots of EVERYTHING. The EDD system can be glitchy, and having documentation of what you submitted and when can save you a lot of headaches if there are any issues with your claim later.

Just wanted to add one more important point that I learned the hard way - make sure to keep detailed records of your severance agreement and any correspondence with your former employer about the payment dates. Sometimes employers change severance payout schedules, and if that happens, you'll need to update EDD during your certification. I had a situation where my company moved my severance date by a week, and I had to explain the discrepancy to EDD later. Having the original agreement and the updated notice from HR made it much easier to resolve. Also, if your severance includes continuation of health benefits or other non-cash compensation, make sure you understand how to report those as well during certification.