California Unemployment
CommunityGovernment Services
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 :)
Filed for AZ unemployment but now in California - EDD transfer help needed
So I moved from Arizona to California about 3 weeks ago. I had an active unemployment claim in Arizona that I've been certifying for since January. Now that I've moved, I'm confused about what happens to my benefits. Do I need to close my Arizona claim and file a new one with California EDD? Or is there some kind of transfer process? I called the Arizona DES office but they gave me conflicting information - one person said I could keep certifying with them, another said I needed to file with California now that I've changed my address. Anyone been through this interstate benefits situation before? Really need this sorted as I have rent due next week and don't want to mess up my claim.
Join the conversation
EDD benefits after entertainment industry strike - possible extension before eligibility date?
I'm a lighting technician in the film industry, and we're facing another potential shutdown after just recovering from the big strike last year. I exhausted my unemployment benefits during the previous work stoppage, and now my EDD online account says I'm not eligible for a new claim until 6/29/24. With productions already getting postponed due to another possible strike, I'm starting to panic about how to pay bills. Does anyone know if there's any way to get an extension or special consideration given the unique industry situation? Or am I just out of luck until my eligibility date rolls around? I've heard rumors about industry-specific provisions but can't find any clear info on the EDD website.
Join the conversation
Just an update - I called EDD this morning using the Claimyr service I mentioned, and the rep confirmed that out-of-state work CAN help establish a new claim in some cases. It depends on how much you earned and when. They said they need to request wage information from the other state, which takes about 2-3 weeks to process. Better than waiting until June 29th!
That's really helpful, thank you! I think I'll try the same approach. Did they say how much you needed to have earned in the other state for it to qualify?
The rep said each state has different minimum earnings requirements, but generally you need to have earned at least $1,300 in your highest-earning quarter. Georgia might be different though. The EDD rep will be able to tell you exactly what qualifies when you speak with them.
Account shows 'no new wages' - Do I need new EDD account or can I file by phone?
So frustrating right now! I was on unemployment back in 2023 and now I need to apply again. When I logged into my old UI Online account, I got this message saying "no new wages reported to unemployment department" and that I need to file either by phone or mail instead of online. Has anyone dealt with this before? Do I need to create a brand new account or can I still use my existing one? I've been calling the EDD number for 2 days straight and it's always just recordings or "all lines are busy" messages. I'm getting desperate because my last paycheck from my restaurant job was already gone on rent. Anyone know a way to actually talk to a real person at EDD?? 😫
Join the conversation
did u try the online chat thing on the edd website? sometimes u can get help there faster than calling
The chat bot is USELESS for anything more complicated than password resets. It'll just tell you to call the same number everyone's complaining about not being able to get through on. Classic EDD runaround.
After I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above, the EDD agent told me the "no new wages" message can also happen if your previous claim was filed under a special program (like the pandemic assistance) and now you're eligible for regular UI. The systems don't always talk to each other correctly. The phone rep was able to see all my wages even though the online system couldn't. Got everything fixed in one call once I actually reached someone.
That makes sense! My previous claim was during the pandemic. I'll definitely try to get through to someone on the phone. Thanks for the insight!
EDD keeps scheduling phantom interviews while my claim is stuck pending since January
I'm at my wits end with EDD! My claim has been stuck in pending since January 2025 (over 4 months now). Every time I certify, the system shows my payments as pending, then randomly schedules phone interviews that turn out to be 'mistakes' according to the reps! This has happened THREE times already - including today after my latest certification. I've already gone through multiple waiting periods with zero payment. Meanwhile, I'm working a temp position that barely covers half my bills, and I'm literally spending 2-3 hours EVERY DAY trying to reach someone at EDD. When I finally get through, they just say 'it's a mistake' or 'the system glitch will clear soon' but nothing changes! Has anyone else dealt with these phantom interviews that keep delaying payment? Any advice for breaking this endless pending cycle?
Join the conversation
Hey, just checking back - were you able to get through to a Tier 2 specialist? Sometimes it helps to mention specific keywords when you first get through to the general line. Try saying you need help with an "eligibility determination issue" rather than just saying your payments are pending. This often gets you to the right department faster.
I've been trying all morning but still can't get through to anyone. I'll keep trying with those exact words about the eligibility determination issue. Thanks for checking back!
UPDATE: For those having this phantom interview issue, EDD just posted about a system update they did in April that's causing these problems for people with mixed income (partial work + UI benefits). They're supposedly fixing it this week. Check your UI Online account daily because they may not call when it's fixed - the pending payments might just suddenly process. If your payments don't clear by next week, definitely call and ask for a Tier 2 rep as I mentioned before and reference the "April system update issue" - they'll know what you're talking about.
This is really helpful! Where did you see this announcement about the April system update? I've been checking my UI Online portal but didn't see any notifications about this.
It was in the EDD Twitter feed and there's a small notice at the bottom of the UI Online login page (easy to miss). It only appears before you log in, not inside your account messages.
EDD Appeal Hearing next week - How to win when ex-employer is under lawsuit?
I'm having serious anxiety about my EDD appeal hearing scheduled for next week. My former employer denied my UI claim after I (along with several coworkers) reported them to the tax board for some pretty sketchy practices. The company has since gone out of business, and we're all part of a class action lawsuit against them. I've already found new employment (thankfully!), but I'm worried about the potential overpayment if I lose this appeal. The EDD sent me benefits during my unemployment period, and now I might have to pay everything back if the judge sides with my former employer. I have documentation showing inconsistencies in their claims against me, but since they were doing so many illegal things (hence the ongoing lawsuits), I'm not sure what to focus on during the hearing. My personal attorney is handling the civil lawsuit but can't represent me for the EDD appeal. Has anyone successfully won an appeal against a vindictive employer? What evidence worked best? Should I mention the class action lawsuit? I've reviewed the appeal paperwork multiple times but still feel unprepared. Any advice from people who've been through the EDD appeals process would be incredibly helpful!
Join the conversation
hi i just went thru this!! make sure u log into the hearing 10 mins early! my call dropped twice during my hearing and i almost missed it completely. also if u have any witnesses they have to be there from the start or judge might not let them talk later. my friend was gonna testify for me but couldnt get on at beginning so they wouldnt let her speak!! i still won tho bc my boss was lying about everything and judge saw thru it.
Omg thats so stressful about the call dropping!! Did u use a landline or cell? I think I should use my landline for my hearing to be safe.
Just wanted to follow up - how did your hearing go? Did you win your appeal?
The hearing is tomorrow! I've been preparing all week using everyone's advice here. I've organized my documents with 3 copies of everything, written out a clear timeline, and practiced giving concise answers. I'm still nervous but feeling much more prepared than before. I'll update once I get the decision!
Hannah White
Just went thru this!! AZ payment system is waaaaaay better than California's, get ready for frustration with the EDD portal lol. Make sure you have your Arizona unemployment award letter when you file with CA because they'll want to see your previous benefit amount details. Also their certification questions are different so read carefully!
0 coins
Zoe Walker
Update: I followed everyone's advice and notified Arizona DES about my move. I also filed a new claim with California EDD yesterday. The online system was actually pretty straightforward, though I got confused about how to report my Arizona benefits. Hoping I did it correctly! Now I'm just waiting for the next steps. Thanks everyone for the help - will update when I hear back from California.
0 coins
Elijah Brown
Sounds like you're on the right track. Don't be surprised if you get a letter requesting additional information about your Arizona claim. Just respond promptly and you should be fine. Good luck!
0 coins