Final advice from someone who's been through this: if you're hitting caller limits regularly, you're probably better off with an automated solution. I wasted 3 weeks learning all these calling tricks when I could have been done in one day.

I've been experiencing the exact same thing! After about 120-130 attempts in one day, I start getting those weird immediate disconnects instead of the normal busy signals. It's definitely some kind of daily limit per phone number. What's frustrating is that EDD doesn't publish this information anywhere, so we're all just figuring it out through trial and error. I've started keeping a call log and noticed the pattern resets each morning around 8am PT. Might be worth trying a different phone number or switching to one of those callback services everyone's mentioning if you keep hitting the wall.

Great to see this getting resolved properly! For anyone else who might be dealing with EDD overpayments, here's a quick summary of the best practices from this thread: 1) DON'T cash the check if you suspect it's an error, 2) Try UI Online messaging first (Contact EDD > Payments > Overpayment), 3) Keep detailed records of all your attempts to resolve it, 4) If you need to mail anything back, use certified mail with tracking, and 5) Be patient - the system is slow but following the proper channels protects you from penalties later. The DE 2025 form mentioned is definitely the official way to handle returns. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this kind of community knowledge is invaluable when dealing with EDD's confusing processes!

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - definitely don't cash it! I made that mistake a couple years ago with a $200 overpayment and it was such a headache. Not only did I have to pay it back with interest, but it also caused issues when I had to file again later. The UI Online messaging system has actually gotten better lately - I used it last month for a different issue and got a response in about 5 days. Make sure when you write your message to be very specific about the amount, date you received it, and that you believe it's an error. Also include that you're willing to return it immediately. They seem to respond faster when you're being proactive about fixing their mistakes rather than asking them to fix something that went wrong on your end.

Final summary of what actually works: Wednesday/Thursday 2-3pm, avoid lunch (12-1:30pm), avoid Monday mornings, avoid Friday afternoons, and budget 3+ hours for the whole process. Or pay someone to do it for you.

This thread is gold! I've been doing everything wrong - calling Monday mornings, trying during lunch, giving up after 20 attempts. No wonder I haven't gotten through in 2 weeks. Going to try the Wednesday 2-3pm strategy tomorrow and actually budget the full day for it. Really appreciate everyone sharing their hard-earned wisdom here. The Claimyr option is also looking tempting if the manual approach fails again.

Connor, I've been following this thread and I'm so glad to see how much helpful information everyone has shared! As someone who went through a similar situation with my consulting business a couple years ago, I wanted to add one more resource that really helped me - the California Employment Development Department actually has a Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) in some areas, though it's pretty limited and not well-publicized. It's designed to help people start businesses while receiving UI benefits, but sometimes they have resources for existing self-employed folks facing hardship too. Also, don't overlook your local community colleges - many have small business development programs, free workshops on marketing/networking, and sometimes even emergency assistance funds for students (you might qualify if you take even one class). The fact that you're being so proactive about exploring all these options shows you're going to bounce back from this. Keep that positive momentum going!

Connor, this thread has become an amazing resource! I wanted to add one more thing that might help with your immediate cash flow situation. If you have any design work samples or a portfolio, consider reaching out to local print shops, marketing agencies, and even nonprofit organizations - many of them need freelance design help but don't always know where to find reliable designers. Sometimes they'll give you smaller, quick-turnaround projects that can provide some income while you're rebuilding your main client base. Also, check out websites like 99designs, Upwork, or Fiverr if you haven't already - I know the pay isn't always great, but it can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for benefit approvals and pursuing the other resources everyone mentioned. You might also want to reach out to your local Chamber of Commerce - they often have member directories and networking opportunities that could lead to new connections. Hang in there, and thanks for asking this question - I'm sure your situation will help other self-employed folks who find themselves in similar spots!

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! What finally worked for me was a combination of things: first, I made sure to use an incognito/private browser window, then I went directly to the official EDD website (edd.ca.gov) instead of clicking through search results. Also, if you're on mobile, try switching to desktop - their mobile site is even buggier than the regular one. One thing that's not obvious is that if you have any browser extensions running (especially ad blockers or password managers), they can sometimes interfere with the login process. Try disabling them temporarily. And like others mentioned, definitely wait the full 24 hours if you think your account might be locked from too many attempts. The system is frustrating but these steps got me back in. Hang in there! 💪

Been dealing with EDD login issues on and off for months now. One thing that helped me recently was making sure my browser is fully updated - sounds basic but EDD's site seems really picky about browser versions. Also try using Chrome if you're not already, seems to work better than Safari or Firefox in my experience. And if you're still stuck after trying all the suggestions here, there's actually a "Technical Support" option buried in their contact section that's separate from the main customer service line. Takes forever to get through but they can actually help with login-specific problems. Good luck! 🤞