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
Also want to mention - if you're still having trouble after trying all these suggestions, consider contacting your state representative's office. They often have constituent services that can help with state agency issues like EDD. I had to do this once when I was stuck in limbo for weeks, and their office was able to get through to someone at EDD who actually helped resolve my case. It's free and they're usually pretty responsive since helping constituents is part of their job. Just google "[your area] state assembly" or "state senator" and look for their constituent services contact info.
This is really helpful advice! I never thought about contacting my state rep. Quick question - when you reached out to their office, did you need to provide a lot of documentation upfront, or did they help you figure out what you needed? I'm wondering how much prep work I should do before contacting them.
I went through this exact same situation last year! One thing that really helped me was keeping a detailed log of every interaction with EDD - dates, times, reference numbers, who I spoke with, etc. When I finally got through to someone, having all that info organized made the process way smoother. Also, if you have any old correspondence from EDD (emails, letters, etc.) that mention those missing payments, definitely include copies with your reissue request letter. It helps establish a paper trail. The whole process is frustrating but don't give up - you'll get your money eventually!
Join the conversation
I'm going through this exact same situation right now and it's such a relief to find this thread! I was making $5,200/month as a software developer before getting laid off six weeks ago, and my EDD weekly benefit is only $425. Like everyone else here, I had absolutely no idea about the benefit caps and was completely blindsided by how little unemployment actually provides. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly helpful - I've already started applications for CalFresh and called 211 yesterday, which connected me to three different local assistance programs I didn't know existed. The mental reframe of viewing this as "temporary survival mode" rather than trying to maintain my previous lifestyle has been crucial for my sanity. One thing I've learned that might help others: if you're in tech like me, there are some industry-specific resources. Organizations like TechStars and local coding bootcamps sometimes have emergency funds or job placement assistance for laid-off developers. Also, some companies are specifically hiring people on unemployment for short-term contract work that stays under the benefit earning limits. The job market is definitely brutal right now, but this community and all the shared resources are helping me stay hopeful. Thank you everyone for being so open about your struggles and solutions - it makes this whole situation feel less isolating!
Thanks for sharing those tech-specific resources - that's really valuable information! I had no idea about TechStars having emergency funds or that some companies specifically hire people on unemployment for contract work within the benefit limits. That's definitely something I'll look into. It's crazy how many of us in higher-paying fields are going through this exact same shock right now. The disconnect between what we were earning and what unemployment actually provides is just staggering. I really appreciate you mentioning the industry-specific angle too - I never thought to look for field-specific assistance programs. This whole thread has been like a masterclass in navigating unemployment that I wish existed somewhere official. Thanks for adding to the collective knowledge here, and I hope your job search goes well!
I'm so sorry you're going through this - the sticker shock is absolutely real and you're definitely not alone! I just went through the same thing when I got laid off from my accounting job last month. I was making about $4,400/month and my weekly benefit came out to $375, which was such a harsh wake-up call. What's really helped me is taking advantage of all the resources people have mentioned here. I immediately applied for CalFresh (got approved in about 10 days), called 211 which connected me to local food banks and utility assistance programs, and reached out to my landlord to explain the situation - they actually worked with me on a temporary payment plan. The mental shift to "survival mode" that others mentioned is so important. I had to completely restructure my budget and cut everything non-essential, but it's actually been eye-opening about what I really need versus what I was spending on before. One thing that's helped supplement the income is doing some freelance bookkeeping work on weekends, staying under that $25/week limit so it doesn't affect benefits. Every little bit helps when you're trying to stretch these payments. The job market feels really tough right now, but reading everyone's stories and practical advice here gives me hope that this really is just temporary. Hang in there - we're all rooting for each other!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and practical advice! It's really encouraging to hear from someone who's successfully navigating this situation. I love that your landlord was willing to work with you on a payment plan - that gives me hope that mine might be understanding too. The freelance bookkeeping idea is brilliant, and I'm definitely going to explore what kind of side work I could do while staying under that $25/week limit. It's amazing how this whole experience forces you to really examine what's essential versus what you just got used to spending money on. I'm definitely going to call 211 today based on all the positive experiences people have shared here. Thanks for the encouragement and for adding to this incredibly helpful thread - it's so reassuring to know we're all supporting each other through this challenging time!
Join the conversation
I'm new to this community but going through something similar right now. I was a project manager making $78k and just got scheduled for one of these interviews after my UI claim got flagged. Reading through all these responses is both helpful and terrifying! One question I haven't seen addressed - does anyone know if they consider remote work opportunities differently? Most of the management positions I'm qualified for in my area are now remote or hybrid, which opens up way more opportunities but also means I'm competing nationally. I'm wondering if EDD factors that into their "suitable work" calculations or if they still expect me to consider only local positions. Also, for those who've been through this - how long was your actual interview? I'm trying to plan my day around it but the notice just says "allow sufficient time" which isn't very helpful. Thanks for all the insights everyone has shared here!
Welcome to the community! Regarding remote work, EDD generally does consider remote positions as part of your suitable work options, especially if that's become the norm in your field. In fact, remote work can actually work in your favor during these interviews because it shows you're expanding your geographic reach and have access to more opportunities. Just make sure you're documenting remote positions in your job search log the same way you would local ones - company name, position, salary range, application date, etc. The key is showing you're actively pursuing realistic opportunities regardless of location. As for interview length, mine lasted about 45 minutes but I've heard of them ranging anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour depending on how complex your situation is and how prepared you are with documentation. Since you're transitioning from a project management role, having examples of how your skills transfer to the positions you're targeting will probably speed things up. Good luck with your interview!
Just went through this exact interview process two months ago after transitioning from PFL back to UI! Here's what I wish I had known beforehand: First, they DO understand that your field (healthcare administration) typically has fewer openings than retail/service jobs, so 3-4 quality applications per week is generally acceptable IF you can show they're well-targeted. What saved me was demonstrating that I was also doing other job search activities - attending virtual networking events, working with healthcare recruiters, updating my professional certifications, etc. During my interview, the EDD rep spent about 30 minutes going through my job search log and asked very specific questions: "Why didn't you apply to this coordinator position that paid $65k?" and "Have you considered temporary or contract management roles?" Be ready to articulate your reasoning for each decision. The biggest thing that helped was showing flexibility within reason. I emphasized that while I was focusing on management roles, I was also open to senior coordinator positions at healthcare systems or consulting firms that utilized my experience. This showed I wasn't being unrealistic while still advocating for appropriate-level work. One tip: if you have any healthcare management certifications or are considering pursuing additional ones during your job search, mention this! It shows you're actively working to stay competitive in your field rather than just waiting for the perfect job to appear. You'll do great - having 12+ years of management experience actually works in your favor because EDD recognizes the value of appropriate job matching for retention purposes.
This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I hadn't thought about mentioning professional development activities like certification updates - that's a great way to show I'm staying current in my field while job searching. Your point about being ready to explain specific decisions really resonates with me. I did skip applying to a few coordinator positions that seemed too far below my experience level, so I need to be prepared to articulate why those weren't good fits rather than just saying "the salary was too low." The temporary/contract angle is something I should definitely explore more. I've been so focused on permanent positions that I haven't seriously looked at interim management opportunities, but those could actually be perfect for someone with my background and might be easier to land while I continue searching for the right permanent role. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's reassuring to hear from someone who successfully navigated this process in a similar field!
Join the conversation
I'm so sorry you're going through this @Zoe Wang - this is absolutely infuriating! As someone new to this community, I'm shocked by how common these retroactive reviews are becoming. The fact that EDD is targeting people who were completely honest about their medical situations during a global pandemic feels like they're punishing vulnerability. Your case sounds really strong for appeal though. Being immunocompromised with doctor's documentation during COVID should absolutely qualify you for accommodations rather than complete work disability. The distinction between needing reasonable accommodations vs being totally unable to work seems to be the key legal issue here. I'm taking notes from all the excellent advice in this thread - especially about getting updated doctor letters that specifically mention ability to work remotely, filing the DE 1000M appeal form ASAP, and requesting financial hardship waivers. The success stories like @Carmen Vega's are really encouraging! It's disgusting that they approved everyone quickly in 2020-2021 without proper review, then come back years later with these "gotcha" reversals when people have already spent that money on basic survival needs. You acted in complete good faith and deserve to have your original approval upheld. Please keep us updated on your appeal progress - you've got this whole community supporting you! 💪
@Ahooker-Equator Thank you for the support and for joining this community conversation! It's really helpful to see new members like yourself jumping in with encouragement and practical advice. You're absolutely right that this feels like they're punishing people for being vulnerable during an unprecedented crisis. What's particularly frustrating is that I followed all the rules and was completely transparent about my health situation from day one. I wasn't trying to game the system - I genuinely needed those accommodations to work safely during the height of COVID. The fact that EDD approved my claim with full knowledge of my circumstances makes this reversal feel especially unfair. I'm feeling more confident about my appeal after reading everyone's advice and success stories. Having @Carmen Vega share her positive outcome really gave me hope that I can fight this effectively. I m'working on getting that updated doctor s'letter that specifically mentions my ability to work remotely during that period. It s'amazing how this community has come together to share experiences and practical guidance. When I first got that call from EDD, I felt completely alone and panicked. Now I feel like I have a roadmap for fighting this and people who understand what I m'going through. Thank you again for the encouragement - I ll'definitely keep everyone posted on how the appeal goes! 🙏
I'm new to this community but wanted to jump in with some encouragement after reading your story @Zoe Wang. What EDD is doing to you and others is absolutely outrageous - targeting people years later who were completely honest about their medical situations during a global pandemic. As someone who's been lurking and reading these stories, I'm shocked by how systematic this seems to be. They rubber-stamped approvals in 2020-2021 when people desperately needed help, and now they're coming back with these retroactive "gotcha" determinations when folks have already used that money to survive. Your case sounds really solid for appeal though. Being immunocompromised with medical documentation during COVID absolutely should qualify you for work accommodations rather than complete disability. The fact that you were actively seeking remote work while protecting your health shows you were genuinely "able and available" for suitable employment. All the advice here about getting updated doctor letters, filing the DE 1000M form quickly, and documenting your work search activities sounds spot-on. Success stories like @Carmen Vega's prove these wrongful determinations can be overturned with proper preparation. Don't let EDD intimidate you into paying back money you legitimately qualified for. You acted in good faith during an unprecedented crisis and deserve to have your original approval upheld. This community has your back - please keep us posted on how your appeal goes! 💪
@Gabriel Freeman Thank you so much for the encouragement! As someone new to this community myself, it s'been incredible to see how supportive everyone is here. When I first got that devastating call from EDD, I felt completely isolated and didn t'know where to turn for help. You re'absolutely right that this seems systematic - the pattern of rubber-stamping approvals during the crisis then coming back years later for gotchas "is" really disturbing. It feels like they re'deliberately targeting vulnerable people who were honest about their health situations during the worst public health crisis of our lifetimes. Reading all the advice and success stories in this thread has completely changed my perspective from panic to determination. @Carmen Vega s victory'gives me real hope, and the detailed guidance from people like @Connor Richards and @GalacticGladiator has given me a clear roadmap for fighting this. I m scheduled to'get that updated doctor s letter next'week that specifically addresses my ability to work remotely during the pandemic period. I ve also been'reconstructing my work search logs from that time - thankfully I saved more documentation than I initially thought! It s amazing how'this community comes together to support each other through these bureaucratic nightmares. I ll definitely keep'everyone updated as my appeal progresses. Thank you again for taking the time to encourage a newcomer - it means more than you know! 🙏
Andre Moreau
Just to follow up on what others have said - here's what I recommend based on helping several friends through this recently: 1. Continue certifying every two weeks without fail 2. Try calling at exactly 8:01 AM when they first open (set an alarm) 3. If you can't get through via phone after a few days, contact your state assembly member's office (Google "[your city] California state assembly member") 4. Check your UI Online inbox and physical mail daily for any requests 5. Make sure your contact information is up to date in the system The most common reasons for extended pending status are identity verification issues, quarterly review flags, or the need for an eligibility interview. A tier 2 specialist can usually resolve these quickly once you actually reach one. Hang in there - it's frustrating but will eventually get resolved, and you'll receive all back payments you're entitled to.
0 coins
Carmen Reyes
•Thank you for such a comprehensive list of steps! I'll start with the early morning calls tomorrow and move on to contacting my assembly member if that doesn't work by the end of the week. Really appreciate everyone's advice and just knowing I'm not alone in this mess.
0 coins
Mei Liu
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 4 weeks ago and still stuck on pending. It's so stressful not knowing when (or if) it'll get resolved. I've been reading through all these responses and it sounds like contacting your assembly member might be the fastest route if the phone calls don't work. Has anyone here actually tried the Claimyr service that was mentioned? I'm curious if it's legitimate or if there are any other services that help you get through to EDD faster. Really hoping we both get our claims processed soon - this whole system is broken.
0 coins