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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!
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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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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I've been in this exact situation so many times and it's incredibly frustrating! When the music stops but you're still connected, you're basically in no-man's land - you don't know if you're about to get help or if you're wasting precious time. From my experience, this usually happens when the is trying to transfer you to an available agent, but the process can take anywhere from 5-20 minutes of complete silence or static. Here's my survival strategy: immediately put your phone on speaker, set a timer for 15 minutes, and press a number key (like * or #) every 3-4 minutes to signal you're still there. If you don't hear a human voice by the 15-minute mark, hang up and redial - as painful as it is to lose your spot, longer usually just means you're listening to a dead connection. I've actually gotten through twice after 12+ minutes of pure static, so don't give up too quickly! The most important thing is to stay busy during the wait so the anxiety doesn't consume you. Also, try calling right at 8 AM when they first open - you'll encounter fewer of these technical nightmares. The EDD is absolutely broken, but with patience and the right strategy, you can eventually break through!
This is exactly the guidance I was looking for! I'm currently experiencing this right now - the music cut out about 7 minutes ago and I've been sitting here paralyzed, not knowing whether to stay on or hang up and start over. Your 15-minute timer rule with the key pressing strategy is so smart - it gives me a concrete plan instead of just sitting here guessing. I had no idea that pressing keys could help signal the that you're still active, that's such valuable insider knowledge! It's really encouraging to hear that you've actually connected with agents after 12+ minutes of static. I was starting to assume any silence longer than 5 minutes meant a dead line. The 8 AM calling tip makes total sense too - less overload means fewer technical glitches. Thanks for sharing your battle-tested strategy and for the reminder to stay busy during the wait. Going to set my timer now and try to stay patient!
This is such a relatable and frustrating situation! I've been through this exact scenario multiple times with EDD calls. When the music stops but you're still connected, it's like being stuck in bureaucratic purgatory - you have no idea if you're seconds away from getting help or if you're just wasting time on a dead line. From my experience, this usually happens when the is attempting to connect you to the next available representative. The silent/static phase can last anywhere from 3-25 minutes, which makes it impossible to know whether to stay patient or start over. Here's the strategy that's worked best for me: 1. Immediately switch to speaker phone so you can multitask 2. Set a timer for 15 minutes from when the music stops 3. Press a random key (* or # works well) every 4-5 minutes to signal the you're still active 4. If no human answers by the 15-minute mark, hang up and redial I know it's heartbreaking to potentially lose your place in queue, but I've found that longer than 15 minutes usually means you're listening to a line. That said, I have gotten through after 18+ minutes of silence twice, so there's always hope! The EDD phone is absolutely broken and shouldn't require these survival tactics, but unfortunately this is the reality we're dealing with. Try calling right at 8 AM when they open - you'll encounter far fewer technical issues. Don't give up completely - persistence really does pay off eventually, even though the process is maddening!
This is incredibly thorough and helpful advice! I'm actually dealing with this exact situation as we speak - been listening to for about 4 minutes now and was starting to panic. Your step-by-step strategy is exactly what I needed - especially the timer method and pressing keys to stay active in the system. I had no idea that could make a difference! It's both frustrating and reassuring to know this is such a common experience. The fact that you've actually gotten through after 18+ minutes of silence gives me hope to stick it out a bit longer. Your point about calling at 8 AM is something I definitely need to try - I've been calling randomly throughout the day which probably explains all these technical issues I keep running into. Thanks for taking the time to share such detailed advice and for the reminder not to give up completely. This whole is such a mess but your guidance makes it feel a little less impossible!
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To all those having trouble reaching a human at the EDD. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
As someone who's been through this recently, I can confirm that yes, most claims do start with a $0 balance initially. This is completely normal and doesn't mean you've been denied! The system needs time to process your application and calculate your benefit amount based on your work history and earnings. Here's what typically happens: 1. You file your and see $0 initially 2. reviews your employment history (this can take 2-4 weeks) 3. They calculate your benefit amount and update your 4. You'll receive an award in the mail with your official benefit amount The key is to keep certifying for benefits even while you see $0 - this ensures you don't miss any payments once your is processed. If after 3-4 weeks you still see $0 AND receive a determination showing $0, then it might be a that you'd need to appeal. Don't panic if you see the zero balance right after filing - it's just part of the process!
@Ezra Beard @Isabella Costa Great question about multi-state employment! I actually had a similar situation - worked in California and Arizona before filing. In my case, it did add about an extra week to the processing time ended up (being closer to 5 weeks total , but)it wasn t too'much longer than normal. From what I understand, when you ve worked'in multiple states, has to request wage information from the other state s unemployment'system, which can slow things down a bit. The good news is that California usually acts as the coordinating state "if you" re filing'here, so they handle most of the legwork. As for communication during processing - in my experience it was mostly radio silence until the balance updated. The only interim messages I got were automated reminders about continuing to certify. However, I did see some small changes in the UI Online interface that showed progress was being made - like the under "review message eventually" changed to something like processing wage "information though I" (can t remember'the exact wording . One)thing that helped me stay sane during the wait was setting up text alerts through UI Online so I d get'notified of any changes instead of constantly refreshing the page. You can find that option in your settings!
@Lena Müller @Ezra Beard @Isabella Costa This entire thread has been incredibly valuable - thank you all for sharing your experiences! I m currently in'week 3 of my $0 balance waiting period and feeling much more confident after reading everyone s stories. @Lena'Müller, the text alert tip is genius! I just set that up and it should save me from obsessively checking my multiple times a day. I m also in'a multi-state situation worked in California (and Texas , so it)s reassuring to'know that 5 weeks is still within the reasonable range. One thing I wanted to add for other newcomers who might be reading this: I called yesterday using one of the methods mentioned earlier in this thread, and the representative confirmed that seeing $0 balance initially is completely standard procedure. She also mentioned that even though the balance shows $0, the system is actively processing in the background and reviewing all submitted wage data. For anyone else in the waiting phase - this community support has been invaluable. The official website and phone system can be really confusing, but hearing real experiences from people who ve successfully navigated'this process makes all the difference. Keep certifying bi-weekly and try to be patient easier said than (done, I know! . From what)I m reading here,'it sounds like most of us do eventually see that balance update!
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Hey there! Another military spouse chiming in who went through this exact situation last year when we PCS'd from Travis AFB to Fort Johnson. You're absolutely going to be fine - military spouse relocations are well-established under California's UI system! One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to make sure you save screenshots or print copies of your online application confirmation page and any confirmation emails EDD sends you. I had a weird glitch where my application seemed to disappear from their system for a few days, and having those screenshots helped the representative locate and restore my claim quickly. Also, when you're doing your biweekly certifications, there's a question about whether you turned down any job offers. If you happen to get any offers from California employers during your claim period (even remote ones), just be honest about why you couldn't accept them due to the military move. They understand the logistics of PCS and won't penalize you for it. The process really does work, even though EDD can be frustrating at times. Having that unemployment cushion during our PCS made such a huge difference financially. You're being so smart by researching all this ahead of time! Wishing you a smooth move to Fort Liberty! 🎖️
This is such a smart tip about saving screenshots and confirmations! I never would have thought to do that, but system glitches are definitely something to prepare for. That must have been so stressful when your application seemed to disappear - I'm glad you had the documentation to help them restore it quickly. The point about being honest regarding job offers during the claim period is really valuable too. I could see how that situation might come up, especially if I'm applying to remote positions, and it's good to know they understand the PCS logistics won't allow you to accept certain opportunities. Thank you for sharing your experience and for the encouragement! It sounds like Fort Johnson was a good move for you. All of these detailed responses from fellow military spouses have been incredibly helpful - I feel so much more prepared now. This community support is exactly what I needed! 😊
Military spouse here! I went through this exact process in late 2024 when we PCS'd from NAS Lemoore to Fort Cavazos. You absolutely qualify for California UI benefits under the military spouse relocation provision - it's considered "good cause" for voluntary separation. Here's what really helped me streamline the process: **Critical timing**: File your claim on your first day after employment ends, but make sure you're still physically in California when you submit it. Once you cross state lines, you'd have to deal with your new state's system instead. **Essential documents**: PCS orders (must show both names), certified marriage certificate, final pay stub, and I highly recommend getting a brief letter from your employer confirming your resignation is due to military orders. While not mandatory, it can really speed up the review process. **Phone interview prep**: They'll verify your timeline and ask if you explored remote work or internal transfers. The call was only about 12 minutes for me. Having all your dates written out beforehand makes it much smoother. **Work search strategy**: Start applying to remote jobs and positions in the Fort Liberty area before you even move. I joined several military spouse employment groups on Facebook for the area and it was incredibly helpful for networking. My timeline was about 4 weeks from application to first payment. California is honestly one of the more military-family-friendly states for unemployment benefits. That financial buffer made our PCS so much less stressful! You're being super proactive by researching this now. Fort Liberty has an amazing military spouse community - you're going to love it there! 💪✈️
Thank you so much, Malik! This is incredibly helpful and reassuring. I really appreciate you breaking down the timeline so clearly - 4 weeks from application to first payment seems to be the consistent experience everyone is sharing, which helps me set realistic expectations. Your point about filing while still physically in California is crucial - I definitely don't want to complicate things by accidentally having to deal with North Carolina's system instead. And I love the idea of getting that letter from my employer confirming the military relocation reason. My manager has been really supportive about the whole situation, so I'm sure she'd be happy to provide that documentation. The 12-minute phone interview timeframe is also really encouraging! I was worried it might be this long, stressful interrogation, but it sounds like it's pretty straightforward when you have all your information organized. I'm definitely going to start looking into those military spouse Facebook groups for Fort Liberty - it sounds like they're an amazing resource for both job searching and building community before we even arrive. Thank you for sharing your experience and for all the practical tips. This whole thread has transformed my anxiety about this process into genuine confidence! 😊
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Hey Giovanni, I just wanted to check in and see how things are going with your ID.me situation! It's been a couple days since you got all that great advice from everyone. Were you able to get through to EDD for that exception form? And did the early morning ID.me call strategy work out for you? I'm in a similar boat (though thankfully not quite as urgent) and I've been following this thread closely. Your situation really highlighted how broken this whole system can be when you need help the most. Really hoping you were able to make some progress and get at least one of these bureaucratic wheels turning in your favor!
Hey Andrew! Thanks for checking in - it really means a lot to know people are following up and caring about how this turns out. I'm cautiously optimistic at this point! I was able to get through to EDD yesterday morning and they sent me the ID Verification Exception Form (DE 1326E) that Sofia mentioned. I submitted it with all my documents yesterday afternoon, so now I'm waiting to hear back from them. The early morning ID.me call tip from Liam was a game changer - I got through to a human in under 20 minutes at 8:05 AM! They escalated me to the Account Recovery Team who said they're doing a "comprehensive review" of my suspension and should have an answer within 3-5 business days. So fingers crossed on that front too. I also called 211 like Natalie suggested and found out about a local emergency assistance program that can help with rent if needed. Having that backup plan has really reduced my stress levels. It's wild how much more manageable this whole nightmare feels when you have a clear action plan and know you're not alone in dealing with these broken systems. I'll definitely update everyone once I hear back from either EDD or ID.me!
That's such great news to hear you're making progress on multiple fronts! The fact that you got the EDD exception form submitted so quickly and actually reached ID.me's Account Recovery Team is huge. It sounds like having that structured plan really made all the difference compared to just spinning your wheels with regular customer service. I'm also dealing with some EDD complications (different issue but equally frustrating) and this whole thread has been incredibly educational. The 211 tip for emergency assistance is something I never would have thought of but makes total sense as a backup plan. It's exactly the kind of practical advice you need when you're stressed about immediate bills while fighting through bureaucracy. Really hoping both EDD and ID.me come through for you within their promised timeframes! Please keep us posted - your experience is definitely helping other people who are stuck in similar situations figure out their next steps.
This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm actually in a very similar situation - my ID.me account got suspended right in the middle of my EDD application after my restaurant closed down last month. I was literally panicking about how I was going to pay my bills, but reading through all the advice here has given me a real roadmap to follow. I'm planning to call EDD first thing tomorrow morning for that exception form, then try the 8 AM ID.me strategy to reach their Account Recovery Team. The 211 emergency assistance tip is brilliant too - I had no idea that was even a thing. It's amazing how much clearer everything seems when you have actual steps to take instead of just hitting dead ends. Giovanni, thank you for posting about this nightmare situation because it's helping so many of us who are going through the exact same thing! The system really is designed to make you feel helpless and alone, but threads like this prove we don't have to navigate it by ourselves. Fingers crossed we all get through this bureaucratic maze soon!
Tom Maxon
To all those having trouble reaching a human 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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William Rivera
I'm in the exact same situation! My also ended on 9/4/21 and I can't certify for benefits anymore. From what I understand, this is because the federal pandemic programs (PUA, PEUC, ) all expired on September 4th, 2021. If you're still unemployed and have wages from the last 18 months, you'll likely need to file a new regular claim. The system won't automatically let you certify until you do this. I'd recommend calling EDD as soon as possible to get this sorted out - the sooner you file a new claim, the sooner you can start receiving benefits again if you qualify. Don't wait too long though, as there might be time limits on when you can file. Good luck getting through to them!
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Avery Davis
•@William Rivera Thank you for explaining this so clearly! I m'dealing with the same issue and was confused about what happened on 9/4/21. Your explanation about the federal programs expiring makes perfect sense. I ve'been trying to call EDD for days but keep getting busy signals. Has anyone had luck getting through recently? I m'worried about missing any deadlines for filing a new claim. Also, does anyone know if there s'a waiting period before we can start certifying again once we file the new regular claim? This whole situation is so stressful - just when we thought things were getting back to normal!
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