One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you keep track of your benefit year end date! I made the mistake of assuming I had more time left on my claim than I actually did. When my seasonal job ended, I found out my benefit year had expired just two weeks earlier, so I had to file a completely new claim instead of reopening. The new claim used different base period wages and my weekly benefit amount was lower. Really wish I had paid closer attention to that original filing date. Good luck with your contract job - hopefully it leads to something permanent!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact situation twice! The first time I was nervous about reporting my return to work, but it's actually pretty straightforward. When you do your final certification before starting the job, there's a specific question asking if you've returned to work - just answer honestly with your start date. One tip that saved me headaches: screenshot or print your claim summary page before you stop certifying. It shows your remaining balance, benefit year dates, and weekly amount. That way when you're ready to reopen, you have all the key info handy and can verify everything matches up correctly. Also, don't stress too much about the "reopen claim" process - it's literally just clicking a button in your UI Online account and answering a few questions about your work period. The system is designed for exactly this scenario since temporary/seasonal work is so common. You've got this!

I'm experiencing the exact same issue! Been trying for over a week now with the same pattern - call at 8am, get the "too busy" message or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. It's incredibly frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops just to talk to someone about our own benefits. Reading through all these comments has been eye-opening though. The tip about avoiding lunch hours (12pm-1:30pm) and the fact that they stop taking calls after 4pm despite being "open" until 5pm is information that should be public knowledge. I'm seriously considering trying Claimyr after seeing so many success stories here - it seems like the only reliable way people are actually getting through. This whole situation is a perfect example of how broken the system is when we have to pay third-party services just to access basic government assistance.

This thread has been incredibly helpful - I've been stuck in the same calling nightmare for almost 3 weeks now. Like so many others here, I get either the "too busy" message or sit on hold for 2+ hours just to have the call drop. My claim got flagged for some reason and I desperately need to speak with someone to resolve it. The tips about avoiding 12pm-1:30pm (lunch blackout) and not calling after 4pm are game-changers - I wish EDD would actually publish this information instead of making us figure it out through trial and error. Based on all the Claimyr success stories I'm reading here, I think I'm going to give it a try. It's frustrating that we have to pay a third-party service just to access our own state benefits, but when people are consistently getting through in 20-40 minutes versus our weeks of failed attempts, it seems like the only realistic solution. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - at least we can help each other navigate this broken system!

When you call EDD about this error, be prepared with all your documentation ready! Have your SSN, full legal name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card, and your claim confirmation number if you have it. I had a similar issue and it turned out my middle name was entered differently than expected. Also, try calling right at 8:00 AM when they open - you'll have a better chance of getting through. If the first rep can't help, politely ask to speak with a technical specialist since this sounds like a system sync issue. Don't hang up until it's fully resolved, even if it takes a while on hold!

I had this exact same error message a few months ago and it was so frustrating! After trying everything online, I finally got through to EDD and the rep discovered that my name in their system had an extra space between my first and last name that wasn't visible when I was typing it in. She said this happens more often than people think. When you call, ask them to read back exactly how your name appears in their system character by character - including any spaces, periods, or hyphens. Also, if you've ever gone by a different name or had any legal name changes, mention that too. The rep was able to fix it immediately once we identified the issue. Don't give up - this is definitely something they can resolve on their end!

I went through this exact same situation last year with my employer's holiday shutdown. Just wanted to add a few things that helped me: 1. Keep all documentation from your employer about the shutdown dates - emails, notices, etc. EDD sometimes asks for proof it's temporary 2. If you have any unused vacation days, your company might let you use them for some of the unpaid days instead of taking the full hit 3. The online application actually handles temporary layoffs pretty well now - just make sure to select "temporary layoff" and put in your expected return date The whole process was way less stressful than I expected. Got my benefits for the second week without any issues. Good luck!

I've been through this same situation multiple times over the years. Definitely file for unemployment - temporary layoffs absolutely qualify! A few things that really helped me: 1. File your claim about a week before the shutdown starts if possible. This gives EDD time to process it before you actually need the benefits. 2. When you certify for benefits, be super precise about which days you worked vs didn't work. For the holiday pay days, mark those as worked and report the exact amount you received. 3. Keep a copy of any company communication about the shutdown dates and return date. I've never been asked for it, but it's good to have just in case. 4. The waiting period situation has changed a few times, so definitely check the current rules when you file. Even if there is one, getting benefits for the second week still makes a real difference. The whole process is pretty straightforward for temporary layoffs now compared to a few years ago. The online system handles it well and you shouldn't need to call unless something gets stuck. Good luck with your claim!

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get through with any of these methods? I'm curious which one worked for you. Also, make sure you're not calling the main EDD unemployment line by mistake. The SDI specific number is 1-800-480-3287 for English.

So glad you got through @Fatima Al-Qasimi! This gives me hope. I've been stuck in the same loop with SDI for my disability claim - called probably 80+ times this week alone. The new phone system is absolutely brutal. Going to try the 8:02am timing with the silent wait trick tomorrow. It's insane that we have to develop these elaborate strategies just to talk to someone about our benefits. The stress of not being able to reach them when you're already dealing with a disability is just cruel. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually works - this thread is more helpful than anything on EDD's actual website!