Anyone succeeded contacting EDD for disability/PFL? Phone lines busy for weeks!

same boat. been trying for like 10 days straight. edd phone system is the worst!

The disability/PFL department is separate from regular unemployment EDD, which adds to the confusion. Their systems don't talk to each other well. For SDI claims, try calling exactly at 8:00am and use the automated system to check your claim status first. Sometimes that can update information without needing a rep. Also, make sure you've completed all parts of your claim correctly. Many people don't realize their doctor needs to submit their part separately. Did you get any confirmation that your doctor submitted their certification? Without that, your claim will sit unpaid even if you've done everything right on your end.

I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!!! Was trying for WEEKS to get someone on the phone about my PFL claim after having my baby. The system is COMPLETELY BROKEN and they DON'T CARE that people have bills to pay!!! I literally called 47 times in one day (yes I counted) and never got through. Then my neighbor told me about this service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD rep in 15 minutes after trying for weeks on my own. Check out their demo video: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km It worked for me when nothing else did. Their website is claimyr.com - worth it when you're desperate and need to talk to someone NOW.

Here's what you need to know about SDI/PFL phone contact: 1. The disability department is severely understaffed compared to regular unemployment 2. Call volumes are highest on Mondays and Tuesdays - try Wednesday-Friday instead 3. Best hours are typically 10-11:30am or 2-3:30pm (avoid opening, lunch hour, and closing times) 4. If your claim shows "pending" online but doctor certification is confirmed, it likely means they need additional information - could be identity verification or earnings verification 5. While waiting to connect, check if you can submit any questions through your SDI Online account message center 6. If your payment is truly urgent, consider contacting your state representative's office - they have dedicated EDD liaisons who can often help escalate cases Hope this helps! The disability side of EDD is definitely more challenging to reach than regular unemployment.

when i was on disability last year i couldnt get anyone on the phone either. ended up just going to the edd office in person. waited 2 hours but at least talked to someone face to face who could help. might be worth a try if ur able to go in person

I went through something similar with my disability claim in January. I discovered that EDD's SDI/PFL department has different staffing levels than regular unemployment, which is why it's so much harder to reach them. I found that calling on Thursday afternoons around 2:30pm had better results than mornings. One thing that caught me - make sure you're calling the right number. The main SDI number is 1-800-480-3287, not the regular unemployment number. I wasted a week calling the wrong department before I realized my mistake! Also, sometimes problems with disability claims are due to wage verification issues. If your employer reported different wages than what you claimed, or if you had multiple employers, this can cause delays that require manual review. The online system rarely explains these details.

Update on my situation!!! I actually got through today using one of the tips from this thread!! Called at exactly 2:15pm and got through after only about 20 minutes on hold. The rep told me my claim had a "stop payment alert" because they needed additional income verification from one of my employers!!! They never bothered to TELL ME this anywhere - not by mail, email, or on the online system!!! So if you're still waiting @OP, definitely keeping trying different times. Apparently my problem could have been fixed weeks ago if they had just communicated what was wrong!!!! Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

try contacting them on facebook sometimes they answer there lol

the whole systems rigged they make it impossible to get help on purpose

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my PFL claim after my maternity leave. Been trying to get through for over two weeks! Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring (I'm not alone) and incredibly frustrating (the system is clearly broken). @Chloe Robinson - so glad you finally got through and found out what the issue was! It's absolutely ridiculous that they don't notify people about these "stop payment alerts." How are we supposed to fix problems we don't even know exist? I'm going to try the Thursday 2:15pm strategy tomorrow. If that doesn't work, I might have to look into that Claimyr service or try visiting an office in person. This is affecting real people's ability to pay rent and buy groceries - there has to be a better way to handle this. Thanks everyone for sharing your tips and experiences!

I've been dealing with EDD disability claims for years through my work in benefits administration, and I wanted to share a few additional strategies that might help: 1. **Try the callback feature**: When you call the main SDI line (1-800-480-3287), listen carefully to the automated menu. Sometimes there's an option to request a callback instead of waiting on hold. It's not always available, but when it is, it can save you hours of redialing. 2. **Check your claim status online first**: Before calling, log into your SDI Online account and screenshot your claim details. Having specific information ready (claim number, dates, exact status messages) helps reps resolve issues faster. 3. **Document everything**: Keep a log of when you call, what automated messages you get, and any reference numbers. If you eventually need to escalate to a supervisor or your state rep, this documentation is invaluable. 4. **Consider faxing documents**: If you suspect missing paperwork is the issue, faxing can sometimes be faster than mailing. The SDI fax number is usually listed in your claim paperwork. The afternoon timing suggestions here are spot-on - I've seen much better success rates between 2-4pm on weekdays. Good luck everyone, and don't give up! Your benefits are important and you deserve to get the help you need.