Can't reach California Unemployment? Claimyr connects you to a live EDD agent in minutes.
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Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the EDD
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- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
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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!
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- 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 :)
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LPT: Si logras comunicarte con alguien, pide hablar con un supervisor. A veces ellos tienen más autoridad para resolver problemas complejos como este.
¡Qué frustrante! Yo pasé por algo similar el año pasado. Una cosa que me funcionó fue intentar usar un navegador diferente (Firefox en lugar de Chrome) y también desactivar cualquier bloqueador de anuncios. A veces esos plugins interfieren con los sitios del gobierno. También, si tienes la opción, intenta desde una computadora en lugar de tu teléfono - el sitio web del EDD a veces no funciona bien en móviles. ¡Espero que puedas resolverlo pronto!
¡Excelentes consejos! Yo también he notado que el sitio del EDD funciona muy mal en el teléfono. Lo del navegador diferente es muy buena idea - nunca se me habría ocurrido. Definitivamente voy a probar Firefox y desactivar mi bloqueador de anuncios. ¡Gracias por compartir tu experiencia! 🙏
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I'm in a somewhat similar situation - my employer just reduced my hours to part-time due to "budget constraints" but I'm still technically employed. From what I've learned, you should definitely apply since this wasn't your choice. One thing I'd add is to keep detailed records of all communication with your employer about this leave. Screenshot emails, save any paperwork they give you, etc. Also, when you file your weekly certifications, you'll need to report any work you do (even if it's just checking work emails) and any income you receive. The burnout aspect is real - I know healthcare admin has been incredibly demanding. While you can't mention that as your reason for the claim, at least this forced break might help you recover before you return to that intense environment.
This is all such valuable advice! I'm definitely going to document everything and keep detailed records. You're absolutely right about healthcare admin being incredibly demanding - it feels like we're expected to do the work of 3 people with impossible deadlines. I'm honestly grateful for everyone's help here because I had no idea where to even start with unemployment benefits. It sounds like I have a decent chance of qualifying since this wasn't my choice, but the process itself seems pretty daunting with all the phone calls and interviews required.
Just want to echo what others have said about getting everything in writing from your employer. I was in a similar spot last year - put on "administrative leave" that was supposedly temporary but felt more like they were trying to push me out. Having that paper trail saved me when EDD questioned whether it was really employer-initiated. Also, don't stress too much about the work search requirements while you're still technically employed. You can fulfill them by networking, taking online courses related to your field, or even just updating your LinkedIn profile and resume. The key is showing you're making an effort to stay "job ready" even if you're not actively trying to leave your current position. One more tip - if you do get approved, your weekly benefit amount will be based on your earnings over the past 12-18 months, so hopefully those long hours you've been working will result in a decent benefit amount. Take care of yourself during this break - burnout in healthcare is no joke!
Thank you so much for all this reassurance! It's really helpful to hear from people who've been through similar situations. I'm definitely going to focus on building up my documentation and getting that paper trail in place. The work search requirement was stressing me out, but your suggestions about networking and online courses make it seem much more manageable. And you're right about those long hours potentially helping with the benefit amount - at least something good might come from all that overtime! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences and advice.
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One more important thing: If your wife does end up signing something (ideally the "mutual separation agreement" that someone suggested), when she files for unemployment, she should be ready for an eligibility interview. EDD almost always schedules these when there's any hint of a voluntary quit. During that interview, she needs to clearly explain that while she signed a document, she did not truly quit voluntarily - the school eliminated her position and gave her no real choice. The EDD interviewer will likely contact the school to verify, which is why it's so important to have documentation showing this wasn't a true voluntary resignation. If the employer contradicts what your wife says during this interview, things get more complicated. That's why having things in writing is so crucial.
this is so true!!! my eligibility interview was super stressful cuz i wasnt prepared for all their questions. they ask EVERYTHING about why u left ur job and u better have the right answers ready!!
UPDATE: I just spoke with my wife and she managed to negotiate with the director! They agreed to give her a formal layoff notice instead of asking for a resignation. The director admitted they were trying to "keep their paperwork clean" but understood how a resignation could harm her benefits eligibility. She'll be eligible for recall if enrollment increases, but at least now there's no question about her EDD eligibility. Thanks everyone for the advice - it gave us the confidence to push back!
That's excellent news! A formal layoff is MUCH better for EDD purposes. Make sure she keeps a copy of that layoff notice - she'll need to upload it when filing her claim. So glad your wife stood her ground!
Wait, I'm confused - this update says it's from Sydney Torres but the original post was from Dylan Fisher about his wife. Is this the same situation or a different one? Either way, great outcome! A formal layoff notice is definitely the way to go for unemployment eligibility.
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Hey OP, what state are you in? The process can vary a bit depending on location.
I'm in California. Does that make a difference?
Oh yeah, CA has its own system (SDI) which is separate from SSDI. Make sure you're looking at the right info for your situation!
I went through the exact same thing last year with CA SDI! The "insufficient evidence" reason is so vague and unhelpful. What really helped me was requesting a copy of my entire file from EDD - you can see exactly what they have on record and what might be missing. Sometimes they don't receive all the medical records you think you sent. Also, for the appeal, make sure you highlight any functional limitations your condition causes (like inability to sit/stand for long periods, concentration issues, etc.) rather than just listing diagnoses. The appeals process took about 3 months for me, but I eventually got approved. Hang in there! 💪
This is super helpful advice! I had no idea I could request my entire file from EDD. How do you go about doing that? Is there a specific form or do you just call them? And thanks for the tip about focusing on functional limitations - I definitely emphasized the wrong things in my original application.
You can request your file by calling EDD's SDI line or submitting a written request - I think there's a form on their website called "Request for Information" or something similar. Fair warning though, it can take a few weeks to get it back. But it's totally worth it because you'll see exactly what medical records they have (or don't have) and can fill in any gaps. The functional limitations thing is huge - they care way more about "can't lift 10 lbs" than "diagnosed with XYZ condition." Good luck with your appeal!
Tom Maxon
To all those having trouble reaching a at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
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Zainab Ali
Thanks everyone for sharing these tips! I've been struggling to get through to for weeks. Just to confirm - so the best strategy is to call right at 8am when they open, avoid the lunch hour (12-1pm), and try to get through before 5pm if I need a tier 2 rep? I'll definitely try calling first thing Monday morning. Has anyone had luck with the automated callback feature, or is it better to just stay on hold?
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