California Unemployment
CommunityGovernment Services
Can't reach California Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
Which claim is this call about?
Each program has its own EDD agents, so pick the one your claim is with.
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 :)
In-person EDD office visit saved me after phone system nightmare
After struggling with my unemployment benefits for weeks, I finally got desperate enough to visit my local EDD office yesterday. BEST DECISION EVER! I'd been dealing with a mysterious hold on my account (showing 'pending' for 3 straight certifications) and couldn't get ANY help through the regular channels. Called the main EDD number probably 40+ times over two weeks - either busy signals or disconnects after waiting. Even tried the Collections/Overpayment department who said they couldn't help because my claim wasn't in their system yet. Running out of options, I woke up at 6am, brought coffee and a book, and was at the EDD office when they opened. The receptionist took my info, I waited maybe 30 minutes, then met with a rep who actually CALLED SOMEONE for me right there! Within 10 minutes, they found the issue (some random flag on my identity verification) and cleared it on the spot. The rep said my payments should process within 48 hours. The whole visit took less than an hour! After weeks of phone hell, I'm honestly shocked at how efficient the in-person experience was. If you're stuck in EDD limbo, go to your local office!
Join the conversation
EDD base period eligibility after self-employment - can husband claim UI 10 months after layoff?
Looking for advice on a somewhat complex situation with my husband's unemployment eligibility. He was laid off from his tech job in April 2024 (he received a decent severance package) and has been working as an independent contractor on a project since May. That project is wrapping up next month and he's weighing his options. We're trying to figure out if he can file for unemployment in February 2025, which would be about 10 months after his original layoff. The EDD website mentions something about a 'base period' for calculating benefits that looks at previous W-2 earnings, but I'm confused about the timeframes. If he files in February 2025, would his W-2 earnings from his former employer still count in the base period calculation? Or is he out of luck because he's been self-employed for several months? I read somewhere that the base period can extend back quite a ways, but I'm not 100% clear if he'd still qualify this far out. Also - does working as a contractor affect his eligibility at all? He hasn't been paying into UI during this self-employment period. Any insights appreciated!
Join the conversation
One more thing that might be relevant - EDD has something called an "alternate base period" that can be used if you don't qualify under the standard base period. It uses more recent quarters. But from what you've described, the standard base period should work for your husband's situation as long as he had enough W-2 earnings during those quarters.
I hadn't heard about the alternate base period! I'll look into that as a backup option, though it sounds like the standard period should work in our case. Thank you!
when he files make sure he says hes ABLE and AVAILABLE for fulltime work each week when he certifies. they denied my husband for 2 weeks bc he said he wasn't available one day when he had a doctors appointment. so annoying
That's a great tip! I'll make sure he understands how to answer those certification questions correctly. The whole system seems like a minefield of potential mistakes.
EDD Work Share program payments showing but no Money Network card - how to access funds?
I started on my company's Work Share program about 3 weeks ago (they reduced our hours by 20%). EDD approved my claim and when I checked my UI Online account, it shows I have $840 available, but I haven't received any Money Network card in the mail! The weird thing is I didn't see any option to set up direct deposit during the application process either. I've already certified for 2 weeks but have no way to actually get my money. Called EDD 14 times today but just got the 'too many callers' message and disconnected. Has anyone else dealt with Work Share payment issues? How long should it take to get the card? Is there a different way to access these funds?
Join the conversation
Have you tried checking if the card was mailed to a different address? When I was on partial unemployment through Work Share in 2025, they somehow had my old address from 3 years earlier! Called for weeks with no luck getting through. Finally went to an EDD office in person and they told me the card had been returned to sender. Had to verify my address and request a new one. Complete waste of time.
I hadn't even considered that possibility! My address is correct in UI Online, but maybe it's different in their card system? This is such a headache.
any update? did u get ur money yet?
I finally got through to the Work Share unit using that special number! Turns out there was a system flag on my account because my employer submitted something incorrectly. They fixed it and expedited my card - should arrive by Friday. Thanks everyone for your help!
Need EDD phone number to reach ACTUAL human representative - tired of automated system!
I'm at my wits end trying to get through to a real person at EDD about my claim! I've been certifying for 6 weeks and my payments keep switching from pending to disqualified with no explanation. The automated system is USELESS and just keeps transferring me in circles. I've tried calling at exactly 8:01am, at 10am, after lunch, right before they close - nothing works! Either I get the 'too many callers' message or I'm on hold for 2+ hours until it disconnects. Does anyone know a direct number to reach an actual EDD representative who can look at my claim and tell me what's going on? I'm about to miss my car payment and I'm freaking out!
Join the conversation
Let me clarify some things about contacting EDD, since there's a bit of misinformation in this thread. The main UI claims line (1-800-300-5616) is staffed Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. If your issue is specifically about payments that switched from pending to disqualified, you likely need a tier 2 specialist. When you call, use these exact prompts to reach the right department: Press 1 for English, then 2 for claim questions, then 1 for existing claim. At this point, you need to explicitly say you need to speak with a tier 2 specialist about a disqualification issue. The first-level representatives can't help with disqualification statuses but can transfer you. Also, if your disqualification is related to an eligibility interview, ask if there's an interview scheduled. If so, prepare documentation showing your eligibility based on whatever issue they've flagged (either job separation or availability for work).
Thank you so much for these specific instructions! I didn't know about the tier 2 specialist distinction. I just checked my UI Online account again and I see there is actually an eligibility interview scheduled for next week. I didn't notice that before because I was only looking at the payment status page. Should I still try to call before the interview?
If you already have an interview scheduled, it's best to prepare for that rather than trying to bypass it by phone. The interview is your opportunity to address whatever eligibility issue has been flagged. Check your UI Online inbox for any notices about what documentation you should have ready. Common issues include proof of right to work, reason for job separation, or availability for work. Having your documentation organized and ready will make the interview go much more smoothly.
UPDATE: I tried calling this morning using the exact prompts that @profile1 suggested, and after 12 attempts I finally got through! The tier 2 specialist explained that my employer contested my claim saying I quit (which is NOT true - I was laid off). They've scheduled a phone interview for next week to resolve it. Thank you everyone for your suggestions! If the interview doesn't fix things, I'll try the assembly member route or Claimyr. Will post another update after my interview.
Will EDD disqualify me if I quit dishwashing job after 4 days due to safety concerns?
I'm freaking out and need advice about my unemployment situation. I was employed at a logistics company from January through October 2023 making about $80K. I got laid off and immediately tried to file for unemployment, but was told I had to wait until my benefit year ended (which was 3 months away). While waiting, I was desperate for income and took a dishwashing job at a restaurant my cousin recommended in January 2024. I only lasted 4 days because the place was a complete nightmare! They never followed proper sanitation protocols (no sanitizing solution, improper drying methods), AND they kept pulling me to do completely unrelated tasks like taking out trash, cleaning bathrooms, and even food prep which I wasn't trained for. I told the manager I couldn't continue working there and quit. I only made about $200 total there. My question is: can EDD deny my unemployment benefits from my main logistics job (where I was laid off) just because I quit this 4-day dishwashing job? I'm seriously worried they'll use this against me even though my high-paying job was the one I lost through no fault of my own. Has anyone dealt with quitting a job for safety/health reasons while on unemployment?
Join the conversation
This happened to me! I actually had to appeal my disqualification. Make sure when you certify you clearly indicate you quit for HEALTH AND SAFETY reasons! If they schedule an interview, be ready with specific examples of the safety violations. I won my appeal by showing the job duties were misrepresented (hired for one thing, made to do another) and that safety protocols weren't followed. It was stressful but worked out in the end. Don't give up!
That's good to know! Did you have any documentation or was it just your testimony during the appeal hearing? I'm worried because I don't have photos or anything, just my word against theirs.
Just my testimony! I was specific about dates, names of supervisors I spoke to, and exactly what safety protocols were violated (and why they mattered). Being very detailed helped a lot. The judge believed me because I could answer all follow-up questions consistently. Oh, and I mentioned I tried to resolve it before quitting - that part is super important!
Alicia Stern
I went to the EDD office in Fresno once and the security guard asked for my appointment confirmation. When I said I didn't have one he turned me away. Do some offices require appointments while others don't???
0 coins
Aria Park
This actually varies by office and sometimes changes based on staffing levels. While many EDD offices accept walk-ins, some have shifted to appointment-only systems during busy periods. It's best to call the specific office you plan to visit beforehand to confirm their current policy. The EDD website should list contact information for your local office.
0 coins
Olivia Harris
For those having issues with pending payments like the original poster, there are typically three common causes: 1. Identity verification issues (most common) 2. Income reporting discrepancies 3. Eligibility questions requiring interview The first one can usually be resolved at a local office as OP discovered. The second might require documentation. The third almost always requires a phone interview with a claims specialist. Knowing which category your issue falls into can help you determine whether an in-person visit will be helpful or if you need to pursue other avenues.
0 coins
Noah Ali
Is there any way to find out which category your issue falls into without speaking to someone? My UI Online account just shows "pending" with no explanation, and I can't get through on the phone.
0 coins
Olivia Harris
Sometimes the UI Online inbox will have notifications with more details, though these can be frustratingly vague. Check the "Notifications" and "History" sections of your account. If you see terms like "identity alert," "quarterly review," or "eligibility interview," those give clues. Also check your physical mail - EDD sends certain notices only through USPS, especially for eligibility interviews and verification requests. If you can't get clarity, an in-person visit is worth trying. The worst outcome is being told you need to call, which puts you back where you started.
0 coins