California Unemployment
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EDD in-person office locations? Online errors and can't reach anyone by phone
I'm at my wits' end trying to help my husband with his unemployment claim! We've been trying for over two weeks now. The UI Online system keeps giving us an error message saying "unable to process your request at this time" whenever we try to complete his application. Then we tried calling literally EVERY number listed on the EDD website - we've called over 40 times in the past week alone and either get the "we're experiencing high call volume" message or it disconnects us after being on hold for an hour! Are there any actual physical EDD offices we can go to in person? We're in the San Bernardino area but willing to drive pretty much anywhere in Southern California at this point. His former employer (construction company) laid off 30 people last month and he needs to get this claim started ASAP. Our savings is getting really low and rent is due next week. Has anyone successfully visited an EDD office in person lately? Or found any secret way to get through on the phones? This is getting ridiculous!
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Can't reach EDD after 2 weeks of calling - claim stuck in limbo for a month
So frustrated right now!! My unemployment claim has been sitting in limbo for over a month with zero updates. I got laid off from my restaurant management job after they downsized, and I filed everything online on March 3rd. The system said my claim was received, but that's it - no updates, no correspondence, nothing showing in my inbox. I've been obsessively checking my UI Online account every day hoping for ANY change. For the past two weeks, I've been trying to reach someone at EDD - calling literally 20+ times a day starting right when they open. Either I get the dreaded "we're experiencing high call volume" message and get disconnected, or I wait on hold for 45+ minutes until the call mysteriously drops. I've tried the main number, the technical support number, even the employer line out of desperation! I need to know if my claim is processing or if there's some issue holding it up. Bills don't stop just because EDD is impossible to reach. Has anyone successfully gotten through to a human being recently? Any secret phone numbers or tricks to actually speak with someone? I'm getting desperate here.
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my cousinwas stuckin the same situation and she went to her local EDD office in person and got it fixed that day. sometimes u gotta physically go there to get results. the phone system is designed to make u give up tbh
Not all EDD offices handle UI claims in person anymore. Most require appointments for UI issues, and many offices now primarily handle job search services rather than claims processing. Always call the specific office first to confirm if they can help with your particular issue before making the trip.
UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning using the 1-2-4 sequence right at 8:01am! Had to wait on hold for 67 minutes, but finally spoke to a representative. Turns out my former employer contested my claim (even though I was laid off, not fired), which put everything on hold. The rep scheduled me for an eligibility interview next Wednesday to resolve it. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions - I would've been completely in the dark without them. For anyone else stuck in limbo, definitely try calling first thing with that sequence!
Great news! For your eligibility interview, make sure you have documentation of your layoff (any termination letters, emails, etc.) and prepare a clear timeline of events. Be ready to explain your job loss situation concisely. Most contested claims are resolved in the employee's favor when it's truly a layoff, so don't stress too much about the interview.
Filing new unemployment claim - need advice and tips
Hey everyone, I'm about to file a new unemployment claim and I'm feeling a bit nervous. Just lost my job and I'm not sure what to expect. Anyone been through this recently? Any tips or advice would be really appreciated!
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Anyone else notice that they changed the certification questions recently? Threw me for a loop last time I certified.
Yeah, they're always tweaking things. Best to read everything carefully each time, even if you think you know the drill.
EDD overpayment issue - need advice on talking to an agent about large amount owed
I owe a large amount to EDD and need to talk to someone about it. Any advice on how to handle this situation? I'm really stressed out and don't know where to start.
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Has anyone successfully appealed an overpayment? I'm thinking about trying but idk if it's worth the hassle
I did! It took forever, but they reduced what I owed by like 60%. Def worth a shot imo
Same here. Make sure you have all your docs in order tho. They're sticklers for paperwork.
SDI claim stuck - wrong DOB in system, need urgent fix!
Hey everyone, I'm having a major issue with my SDI claim. I just found out today that my date of birth is incorrect in their system, and it's preventing me from submitting my claim. Has anyone else dealt with this? Any advice on how to get it fixed quickly? I'm really worried about delays in my benefits.
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Hey OP, when you call, ask them to put a note on your account about the DOB issue. That way if your claim gets held up, other agents can see whats going on. Saved my butt when I had a similar problem!
That's a great idea, thanks! I'll definitely do that.
Carlos Mendoza
im just commenting to follow this thread bc im having similar issues. been trying to certify for 3 weeks and keep getting errors
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Tyrone Johnson
For certification errors specifically, try using the UI Mobile site or TeleCert (the phone certification system). Sometimes when one method isn't working, the others will work fine. The TeleCert number is 1-866-333-4606.
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Ingrid Larsson
Has your husband created a separate UI Online account, or are you trying to use one account for both of you? Each person needs their own separate account even if you're married. I made this mistake at first and kept getting errors until I realized what was happening. Also, if you're getting the "unable to process your request" error, check to make sure he's not already in the system from a previous claim. My husband had this issue because he filed a claim 5 years ago and was trying to create a new account instead of recovering his old one.
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LilMama23
AuthorHe did create his own account, but the previous claim possibility is interesting. He did receive unemployment about 4 years ago when he was between projects. I wonder if that's causing the issue. Do you know how he recovered his old account? We might need to try that approach.
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Ingrid Larsson
He had to use the "Forgot Password" option with his SSN and then answer his security questions. If he doesn't remember his security questions, that's when you definitely need to talk to a live person at EDD. This is exactly the situation where that Claimyr service helped us get through to someone who could verify his identity and reset everything.
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