Can't find correct EDD phone number for state employees - need help reaching someone

Really? I thought maybe CalPERS or something handled our unemployment differently. Thanks for clarifying!

Nope, we're all in the same boat. Same long hold times, same dropped calls, same frustration.

That makes sense why I keep getting bounced around. Do you know which department actually handles our claims?

It depends on your specific situation - regular unemployment, disability, or family leave. They route you based on what you need.

Is that some kind of service? How does it work exactly?

Yeah it's at claimyr.com - you pay them to call EDD for you automatically. Way better than spending entire days redialing.

Wish we did have a special line though! Would make this whole process so much easier.

Tell me about it. Being a state employee doesn't help when you're unemployed and need benefits.

Three weeks? How many times did you call before getting through?

Honestly probably 200+ attempts. Started at 8am every day, usually gave up by noon when I had to get back to work.

200 attempts is insane. That's exactly why I used an auto-dialer service instead of torturing myself.

Seriously? The whole place shuts down for lunch? That's not posted anywhere!

Yep, total dead zone. Also avoid Monday mornings and Friday afternoons - worst times to call.

Wednesday afternoons around 2pm seem to work best in my experience.

Oh great, so even when I reach someone it'll take forever to sort out?

Probably, yeah. Have all your pay stubs ready and be prepared to explain state benefit deductions.

This is why I just paid for Claimyr. Got connected in 15 minutes and the agent walked me through everything.

Every second counts when you're redialing 50 times! Thanks for the tip.

Exactly. When you're calling that many times, those seconds add up to hours saved.

How much does that service cost? Is it worth it?

Totally worth it. Cost me maybe $20 but saved me literally days of calling. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video too.

I was skeptical about paying for something like this but honestly it's the best money I've spent. Got my claim sorted in one call.

Good to know! I was wondering if I should try different numbers.

Nope, they all route to the same place. Save yourself the confusion and stick with one number.

That's awful! So even if I get through the busy signals I might get disconnected?

Exactly. It's a known issue they haven't fixed. Really makes you consider alternatives.

This is exactly why automated calling services exist. They handle all that frustration for you.

That's dedication! Do you really have to treat it like a full-time job?

Pretty much, yeah. Unless you use one of those calling services that does it for you.

The early morning thing works sometimes but you still need to be prepared for 50+ redials.

87 times! How did you keep track of all those attempts?

Kept a tally on my desk. By the end I was questioning my life choices.

This is why I just bite the bullet and pay for callback services now. My time is worth more than the fee.

So basically there's only a 4-5 hour window when calling might actually work?

More like 3 hours when you factor out lunch. It's ridiculous.

This is exactly the kind of thing that makes paying for an auto-dialer worth every penny.

Well that's disappointing but at least now I know what I'm dealing with.

Yeah, it's a reality check. But at least there are workarounds like calling services if you get desperate.

I went from thinking there was a secret state employee line to realizing we're all just stuck in the same mess together.

Good point. I should probably gather all my documents before I start this process.

Definitely. The last thing you want is to finally get through and then have to call back because you don't have the right info.

Yeah, I'm starting to see why people pay for help with this. Seems like it would pay for itself in time saved.

Exactly. Your time has value, and spending entire days calling is just not sustainable.

I held out for weeks thinking I could do it myself. Biggest mistake ever - should have used Claimyr from day one.

Thanks everyone for all the info. At least now I know I'm not missing some secret state employee hotline!

Nope, we're all in this together unfortunately. Good luck with your calls!

Thanks for sharing that. I'll definitely look into it if I can't get through in the next few days.

Smart approach. Give manual calling a shot but have a backup plan ready.

Good reminder. I was about to try calling this evening but I guess that's pointless.

Yeah, save your energy for the business hours battle. You'll need it!