Are EDD call services worth paying for? Ethical concerns but desperate for help

those services r def real, my cousin used 1 last month cuz he couldnt get thru for like 6 weeks!!! said it worked but kinda expensive

I understand your frustration. The EDD phone system is notoriously difficult to navigate. These services basically use auto-dialers that continuously call EDD until they get through, then transfer the call to you. They're legitimate in the sense that they do what they advertise, but I share your ethical concerns. Before paying, have you tried these free strategies? - Call right when they open at 8am - Try Thursdays and Fridays when call volume is typically lower - Use the UI Online messaging system for simpler issues - Contact your state assembly member's office (they have dedicated EDD liaisons

These services are MAKING THE PROBLEM WORSE!!! They're clogging up the phone lines with their auto-dialers while regular people can't get through. EDD should make them illegal. Why should someone with $$$ get better service than the rest of us?? The whole system is rigged!!!!

I work as an employment counselor and I've seen these services from both sides. Here's what you need to know: 1. They are legitimate businesses using auto-dialing technology to secure a place in the EDD phone queue 2. They don't have special access or relationships with EDD - they're just persistent with technology 3. The key question is your time value - if you can't afford to spend hours redailing yourself, the service might be worth it 4. For disqualification issues specifically, you NEED to speak with a Tier 2 specialist (not just any representative) If you decide not to use a service, try calling at 8:01am, then again at 10:30am and 3:15pm - these are shift change times when more representatives tend to be available.

Yes, absolutely ask for a Tier 2 specialist. The first-line representatives can help with basic issues like certification questions, but they typically have to transfer disqualification issues to a Tier 2 specialist anyway. If you get connected to a regular representative, politely explain that you're calling about a disqualification determination and ask to be transferred to a Tier 2. Be prepared with your specific issue details and have any relevant documents ready.

my brother in law got disqualified last year and he spent 3 WEEKS trying to get threw on his own!!!!! ended up using a service (cant remember which 1) and got a real person in like 2 hours. expensive but he said worth it cause they fixed his claim and he got backpay of like $4,500 so ya know sometimes u gotta do what u gotta do

ya i hate that these services exist but also EDD should make it easier to get threw!! not our fault the system is broken lol

I'm an EDD claims specialist (not speaking officially). I can't comment on the paid services directly, but I want to share that disqualification issues specifically require a thorough review by specialized staff. If you're using UI Online, make sure you've uploaded any supporting documentation related to your disqualification. Contacting your state assembly member is actually very effective - we receive flagged cases from them and are required to prioritize and respond within 10 business days. This is a free option that works well for many claimants. That said, I understand the desperation when rent is due and benefits are held up. Whatever path you choose, just make sure you're prepared with specific questions when you do connect with a representative.

It's never too late to upload supporting documentation! In fact, I strongly recommend uploading those emails right away. When a representative reviews your disqualification, they'll see the newly uploaded documents. This could potentially resolve your issue without needing a formal appeal, though having those documents ready for an appeal hearing is also important if it comes to that. Use the Document Upload feature in UI Online and make sure to title/label the documents clearly (e.g., "Proof of layoff - emails from employer").

Update - I took everyone's advice and tried multiple approaches. First, I uploaded my documentation and contacted my assembly member's office. After 5 days with no progress, I decided to try Claimyr. Got connected to a Tier 2 specialist who reviewed my documents and removed the disqualification on the spot! My status changed from disqualified to paid within 24 hours, and the Money Network card is being mailed today. Sometimes it's worth paying for the service when you're in a tough spot. Thanks everyone for the advice!

As someone who's been through this exact situation, I completely understand your frustration and the ethical dilemma you're facing. I was stuck in limbo for 2 months with a pending determination and couldn't get through to EDD no matter what I tried. Here's my take: while these services do create an unfair two-tiered system, the reality is that EDD's phone system is fundamentally broken. If you're facing eviction or can't pay for basic necessities, sometimes you have to work within the broken system to survive. That said, definitely try the free options first: 1. Contact your assembly member - this really does work and they have dedicated staff for EDD issues 2. Upload any supporting documents to UI Online immediately 3. Try calling at off-peak times (I had better luck around 2:30-3:00pm) If you do decide to use a paid service, research them thoroughly and make sure they're legitimate. The most reputable ones will only charge you if they successfully get you connected. Remember, getting through is just the first step - make sure you're prepared with all your information and specific questions when you do reach a representative. Good luck!

I've been following this thread as someone who went through a similar nightmare with EDD last year. After being disqualified for "voluntary quit" when I was actually laid off, I spent 6 weeks trying every free method imaginable - calling hundreds of times, messaging through UI Online, even showing up at the local office (they just told me to call). What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I contacted my assembly member AND used a paid service simultaneously. The assembly member's office got back to me after 8 business days, but by then the paid service had already gotten me through and my issue was resolved. For those worried about the ethics - I get it, I really do. But when you're facing homelessness because a government system is failing you, sometimes you have to do what you can to survive. The real problem isn't people using these services, it's that EDD has created a system so broken that these services can exist and thrive. @Amina Sow - if you do decide to use a service, make sure they guarantee you only pay if connected, and have your case details, ID, and any supporting documents ready before the call. Also ask specifically for a Tier 2 specialist right away - don't let them transfer you around. The whole situation is maddening, but don't let pride keep you from getting the help you need if free methods aren't working.

I've been in a similar boat and completely understand both your desperation and ethical concerns. After 4 weeks of trying to reach EDD about my pending disqualification, I finally broke down and used one of these services (ended up using EDD Caller after researching several options). Here's what I learned: - They do work, but they're essentially just sophisticated auto-dialers that keep calling until they get through the queue - Cost me $20 but saved probably 20+ hours of my time trying to redial constantly - Got connected to an actual EDD rep in about 45 minutes vs. weeks of failed attempts - The rep was able to see all my uploaded documents and resolve my issue in one call I felt conflicted about paying for what should be free government access, but when you're facing financial hardship and the system is this broken, sometimes pragmatism wins over principles. These services exist because EDD has failed to adequately staff their phone lines or improve their system. My advice: try the free methods others mentioned first (assembly member contact is surprisingly effective), but don't let ethics prevent you from getting help you desperately need. The system is broken - that's not your fault, and you shouldn't suffer because of it. Whatever you decide, make sure you're prepared with specific questions and all your documentation ready when you do get through!