Desperate to reach EDD rep after 14 call attempts - any quick methods that actually work?

The best time to call is definitely Tuesday-Thursday between 8:05-8:20am. Not right at 8:00 when they open because everyone tries that. Call the 5616 number and use this sequence: 1, wait for prompt, then 2, 4. Also try the 833-978-2511 alternate number which sometimes has shorter queues. Make sure your phone is fully charged and you're on WiFi calling if possible since you might be on hold for 1-2 hours even if you get through.

my freind told me to just keep calling back 2 back. thats what worked for him last month but it took like 36 calls or something crazy. good luck

After dealing with similar frustrations trying to reach EDD for weeks about my disqualification issue, I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to a rep in under 20 minutes. They basically call EDD for you using their system that navigates the phone tree and waits on hold, then calls you when they have a rep on the line. Saved me days of frustration. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km It was absolutely worth it to get my claim fixed the same day rather than waiting weeks longer.

Don't bother with the phone anymore. The EDD is INTENTIONALLY making it impossible to reach them by phone! I spent 3 WEEKS trying every "trick" and "best time" strategy before finally getting through, only for them to tell me my issue had to be handled by a SPECIALIST who would call me back in 5-7 business days!! They NEVER called back, of course! Your best bet is to contact your state assembly member's office. They have dedicated EDD liaisons who can escalate your case. Google "[your county] state assembly member" and their contact info will come up. Fill out their constituent assistance form mentioning your EDD claim number and explain your situation. They helped me get my 9-week pending claim resolved in just 4 days!!!

i had to call 22 times in one day but finally got thru at 3:45pm. i think maybe thats when the morning ppl are finishing up? idk but worth a try. good luck with ur claim!

This is OUTRAGEOUS that in 2025 we STILL can't get through to EDD! After the pandemic fiasco you'd think they would have fixed their systems by now!!! My cousin works for the state (not EDD) and says they're STILL using computer systems from the 1980s!!! Makes me FURIOUS how they treat people who are just trying to get the benefits they PAID INTO with their taxes!!! Someone needs to file a class action lawsuit against EDD for all the stress and financial hardship they cause with this broken system!!!

I noticed no one mentioned the online contact options, which sometimes work better than calling: 1. UI Online has a "Contact Us" feature where you can submit questions about your claim. Select "Where is my payment?" as the category if your claim is stuck pending. They typically respond within 5-7 business days. 2. If you received any notices about your claim requiring additional information, you can often upload documents directly through UI Online rather than waiting to speak with someone. 3. For identity verification issues, check if you have an Action Item in your UI Online account to complete ID.me verification, which can clear many holds automatically. 4. For complex issues that truly require speaking with a representative, the technical support line (1-833-978-2511) sometimes has shorter wait times than the regular claims line. They can handle many issues despite being labeled as "technical support." Hope this helps add some additional options to try!

anyone else hate how they say "your call is important to us" every 30 seconds while ur on hold? like if it was so important maybe hire more people to answer the dang phones lol

One important recommendation: before you call, make sure you have all your information ready: - Your Social Security Number - Your EDD Customer Account Number - Any specific claim ID numbers referenced in notices - Employment history details for the past 18 months - Any determination or notice numbers you're calling about - A pen and paper to take notes The biggest waste of time is finally getting through to a representative only to be unprepared with the information they need to help you. Also, request the representative's ID number at the beginning of the call in case you need to reference the conversation in the future. If your issue is related to identity verification, certification errors, or technical account issues, the representative may need to transfer you to a specialist, which means more waiting. Being specific about your issue upfront helps ensure you're directed to the right department.

Any luck getting through? I'm curious which method ended up working for you.