Can't reach California Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
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
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
Work search requirements for DUA are modified - you don't have to do the full work search activities initially if your unemployment is directly caused by the disaster. However, after 4 weeks, you will need to begin work search activities unless you have a definite return-to-work date with your previous employer. Make sure to document any communication with your former employer about rebuilding/reopening plans.
This is true - I got that info in my approval packet. They're not requiring work search for the first month for disaster victims. They know we're dealing with a lot of other immediate problems.
I'm so confused about all this. I applied for disaster benefits too but I'm not sure if I should be certifying for weeks now or waiting??? The EDD website is so confusing and I don't want to mess anything up. Will they backpay us for the weeks we're waiting for approval?
Yes, DUA benefits will be backdated to the date you became unemployed due to the disaster. Don't try to certify until you receive the paper notice with your DUA claim number. The system won't let you certify for DUA weeks until your claim is registered in the system. This is different from regular UI claims.
Join the conversation
I've worked for EDD (not anymore). What's happening is 100% normal. Separation issue = current employer. Benefit calculation = base period employers. Two completely separate things in the system. You're good as long as you weren't fired for misconduct or didn't just quit your retail job without good cause.
Wait so if the current employer who harassed them contests the claim, can they still lose eligibility even though they were already approved? The system is so confusing!
Yes, the current employer has 10 days to respond to the claim notice. If they contest it after initial approval, EDD may schedule a phone interview and could reverse the decision. That's why documentation of harassment is crucial.
Update: I called EDD this morning (took forever to get through) and they confirmed what many of you said. The claim is based on my separation from the marketing job due to harassment, but the benefit amount uses wages from both employers during the base period. They also said my former marketing manager hasn't contested anything yet, but they have a few more days to respond. Crossing my fingers! Thanks everyone for your help clearing this up.
Glad you got confirmation! Make sure you continue certifying every two weeks regardless of any pending issues. If they do contest it, you'll likely get a phone interview scheduled. Just present your documentation calmly and stick to the facts about the harassment.
good news!! 🙏
Join the conversation
My appeal was an absolute disaster and I lost because I wasn't prepared enough. Don't make my mistake! Make sure you understand the exact reason they disqualified you and address that specifically.
This is an important point. Your Notice of Determination should state the specific section of the unemployment insurance code they used to disqualify you. For voluntary quit cases, it's usually Section 1256. Make sure you understand what you need to prove to overcome their determination. For voluntary quit disputes, the burden of proof actually shifts to the employer - they need to prove you voluntarily left without good cause. If they don't participate in the hearing, your chances of winning increase significantly (though you should still be fully prepared). Also, the judge should send you a packet before the hearing with any evidence that's been submitted. Review this carefully - it will show what your employer has said about your separation.
Update us after your hearing! I'm scheduled for mine in 3 weeks (different issue - they claim I didn't report some income but it was actually reported on the following certification). Would love to hear how yours goes.
Good luck with your hearing too! For income reporting issues, make sure you bring copies of all your certification confirmations if you have them. Those cases often come down to very specific documentation.
Join the conversation
i got laid off in jan and the money network thing is new since covid. its ok but the app is kinda glitchy sometimes. the direct deposit works fine tho! takes like 1-2 days after ur certification gets processed. def faster than waiting for the card. my claim took exactly 22 days to get approved which was within their 3-5 week estimate. just make sure all ur info matches ur w2 exactly or it can cause delays!
Did you get paid for all the weeks while you were waiting for approval? I'm on week 2 and getting nervous about bills coming up...
One important thing nobody's mentioned yet - make sure you check your UI Online inbox daily. EDD sends important notices there that they don't always email you about. I almost missed a deadline to provide additional information because I didn't check my inbox for a week. Also, if your claim gets stuck in pending status for more than 2 weeks, that usually means there's an issue that requires manual review. That's when being able to reach someone by phone becomes critical. The regular customer service line (1-800-300-5616) is nearly impossible to get through on, but there are specific times when your chances are better - right when they open at 8:00 AM, around 11:30 AM when the morning shift changes, and about 30 minutes before closing. The process is definitely more streamlined than during COVID, but there are still plenty of frustrations. The biggest difference is volume - during COVID they were processing millions of claims simultaneously.
I'll definitely keep an eye on my inbox - great tip! And I'll try those specific calling times if I run into issues. Really hoping my claim is straightforward enough to avoid getting stuck in pending.
Zoe Papadopoulos
Yes, subsequent transfers typically process faster. Once your bank has established a pattern with EDD deposits, they usually release the funds more quickly. After 2-3 payments, you should see a more consistent 2-3 day window from certification to deposit.
0 coins
Aiden O'Connor
•Thats not always true. I've had direct deposit for 6 months and STILL sometimes it takes 5+ days!!! Depends if mercury is in retrograde or if the EDD computers decide to actually work that day 🙄
0 coins
Toot-n-Mighty
hey did ur money show up yet? mine just hit this morning and i certified sunday too
0 coins
Tyrone Hill
•YES!!! It literally just posted to my account like 10 minutes ago. What a relief! Seems like it took about 3.5 days total. Thanks everyone for helping me stay calm while waiting!
0 coins