Can't get past work type selection on EDD application - screen keeps freezing

Same thing happened to me last month!! So annoying... the EDD website is such garbage. I ended up having to try at like 2am when fewer people were on the site and it finally worked.

Seriously? At 2am?? I've been trying for three days now during normal hours. I'll try late tonight I guess. Did you use your phone or computer when it finally worked?

The occupation selection tool is notoriously buggy. Try these steps:\n1. Use Chrome in incognito mode\n2. Instead of using the dropdown, type the first few letters of your job title in the search box\n3. Wait at least 30 seconds for results to load (it's slow)\n4. If that doesn't work, try a different but similar occupation title\n\nAlso make sure you're not using any browser extensions that might interfere with the page. Good luck!

Thank you! I didn't realize I could search instead of just using the dropdown. I'll definitely try incognito mode too. I was getting desperate and considering just picking a random occupation just to move forward with the application!

I had this problem and it was because my internet connection was too slow. The occupatin selector is basically a database search and it timesout if your connection isnt fast enough. Try using a different wifi or hotspot from your phone maybe?

This is partially correct but the main issue is usually server-side, not connection speed. The EDD occupation database runs separate from the main system and often gets overloaded during high-traffic periods (especially mornings). The official workaround is to use the

Oh that's helpful! I didn't know I could select 'Other' as a temporary solution. Will that delay my claim processing though?

If you're still having trouble after trying the technical suggestions, you may need to call EDD directly. I know calling EDD is a nightmare, but I recently discovered a service called Claimyr that can help you get through to an EDD representative much faster. Their system basically waits on hold for you and calls you back when an agent is available. Check out their website at claimyr.com - they even have a video demo: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km\n\nI was stuck at the same screen for days, called using their service, and the EDD rep was able to manually enter my occupation and push my application through. Worth considering if the online system continues to fail you.

I used Claimyr last month and it actually worked! Normally it takes me 30-40 call attempts to get thru to EDD but their system got me connected in about an hour. Just sharing my experience since I was skeptical at first.

I'll check it out as a backup plan. Going to try all the technical fixes suggested here first, but if nothing works by tomorrow, I might need that service. Thanks for sharing your experience!

have u tried using another device?? my laptop didnt work but when i tried on my ipad it went thru fine... also make sure u dont have too many tabs open. edd website is super old and crashes with too much stuff running

To properly address this issue with the work type selection:\n\n1. The occupation selection tool uses SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) codes and requires significant server resources, which is why it frequently experiences issues.\n\n2. The most reliable solution is to access the site during off-peak hours (11pm-5am PT) when server load is minimal.\n\n3. If you must complete it during business hours:\n - Use a wired internet connection if possible\n - Clear your browser cache completely (not just refresh)\n - Allow up to 60 seconds for the occupation database to load before assuming it's frozen\n - Try using Internet Explorer/Edge as the site was originally optimized for older browsers\n\n4. If you're still having trouble after multiple attempts, select \

Thank you for such a thorough explanation! I really appreciate it. I'll try during off-peak hours tonight and switch to Edge. I didn't realize the system was designed for older browsers, that might explain a lot. If all else fails, I'll use the 'Other' option as suggested. It's frustrating that such a critical system has these limitations.

when ur on that screen, try pressing TAB key instead of using mouse. sometimes keyboard navigation works when mouse clicks dont. weird but it worked for me!

The whole EDD system is BROKEN BY DESIGN!!! They make it impossible to complete applications so they can deny more claims! I spent WEEKS trying to get past that same screen last year and ended up having to start my application over THREE TIMES!! Even when I finally got through, they still messed up my classification and I got less benefits than I should have. The system isn't \

While the system definitely has technical issues, there's no evidence it's intentionally designed to prevent claims. These are legacy systems that weren't built to handle modern web traffic volumes. The occupation selector specifically uses an older database connection that wasn't properly updated during the last system upgrade in 2021. I understand your frustration, but incorrect classifications can be corrected by speaking with a claims specialist.

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UPDATE: Success! I tried at 1am using Microsoft Edge in InPrivate mode, and the occupation selector finally worked! For anyone else having this issue, here's what worked for me:\n\n1. Waited until very late (1am) when site traffic was low\n2. Used Edge browser in private browsing mode\n3. Closed all other programs and tabs\n4. Used the search box instead of the dropdown\n5. Typed my job title and waited a full minute for results\n\nThe search eventually showed results and I was able to select restaurant manager and complete my application. Thank you everyone for your suggestions! My claim is now pending and I'm hoping for the best.

Great news! Just a heads-up that your claim will remain in pending status until after your phone interview, which is typically scheduled 1-2 weeks after submitting your application. Make sure to certify for benefits on schedule (every two weeks) even while your claim is pending. If you haven't received an interview date within 10 days, that's when you should consider calling EDD directly.

Thanks for the tip about certifying while pending - I wouldn't have known to do that! I'll keep an eye out for the interview notification and mark my calendar for the 10-day point to follow up if needed.

Glad to hear you got it working! Your solution will definitely help others facing the same issue. Just wanted to add that if anyone else is still struggling with this, another trick that sometimes works is to disable browser extensions temporarily - especially ad blockers and privacy extensions can interfere with the EDD site's JavaScript. Also, make sure your browser is fully updated. The combination of late-night access + Edge browser + private mode seems to be the winning formula for getting past that buggy occupation selector. Thanks for sharing your successful approach!

I had this exact same problem about 6 months ago! The work type selection screen was my biggest nightmare when trying to file. What finally worked for me was a combination of what others mentioned here - I used Safari on my Mac (not Chrome or Firefox) during off-peak hours around midnight, and instead of clicking the dropdown, I typed the first 3-4 letters of my job title in the search field and then waited. It took forever to load but eventually populated results. Also, make sure you're not using any VPN or proxy - that can cause the occupation database to timeout. The EDD system is definitely temperamental but persistence pays off. Good luck and don't give up!

This is such a comprehensive thread of solutions! As someone who just joined this community after dealing with my own EDD nightmare, I'm bookmarking this entire conversation. The fact that Drew had to try at 1am with Edge browser just to get past a dropdown menu really shows how broken the system is. I'm currently stuck on a different part of the application (the wage verification section keeps timing out), but seeing all these creative workarounds gives me hope. The suggestion about disabling browser extensions and avoiding VPNs is something I hadn't considered. It's ridiculous that we need this many tricks just to file for benefits we're entitled to, but I'm grateful this community exists to share these solutions. Going to try the late-night + Edge + private mode combo tonight!

Just wanted to add another tip that helped me when I was stuck on this same screen a few weeks ago - if you're using a work computer or laptop with corporate security settings, try switching to a personal device instead. My work laptop had some kind of firewall or security software that was blocking parts of the EDD site from loading properly, including that occupation dropdown. Once I switched to my personal laptop at home, it worked much better. Also, if you have any antivirus software running real-time scans, try temporarily disabling it while you complete the application - sometimes those programs interfere with the site's scripts. The EDD website seems to be very sensitive to any kind of interference, whether it's browser extensions, security software, or even just having too many browser tabs open. It's frustrating that such basic functionality is so fragile, but at least there are workarounds!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been trying for 2 days and that occupation dropdown just won't work. Reading through all these solutions is so helpful - I had no idea there were so many potential fixes. I'm definitely going to try the late night + Edge browser combo that worked for Drew. It's honestly embarrassing that California's unemployment system is this broken in 2025. The fact that we need a whole strategy guide just to select our job type from a dropdown menu is ridiculous. But I'm grateful this community exists to share these workarounds. Going to bookmark this thread and try again tonight around midnight. Fingers crossed! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions.

I'm going through this exact same frustration right now! I've been stuck on that occupation dropdown for 3 days and it's driving me crazy. This thread is like finding gold - so many helpful solutions I never would have thought of. I'm definitely trying the midnight + Edge browser approach tonight, and I love the tip about using the search box instead of the dropdown. It's absolutely ridiculous that in 2025 we need to become tech experts just to file for unemployment benefits. The fact that Drew had to wait until 1am and use a specific browser combination just to select "restaurant manager" from a menu shows how broken this system really is. I'm also dealing with slow internet at home, so the tip about connection speed being a factor makes a lot of sense. Going to try a few of these solutions tonight and hopefully I'll have a success story to share tomorrow. Thanks everyone for turning this into such a comprehensive troubleshooting guide!