Desperate to speak with EDD agent - tried calling 40+ times this week
I'm at my wits end trying to reach an actual human at EDD! My claim shows 'pending' for over 3 weeks, and I suspect there's an identity verification issue that can only be resolved by talking to someone. I've called the 833 number at least 40 times this week at different hours (7:30am, midday, right before closing) and ALWAYS get the automated message about too many callers or just get disconnected. I've tried the 2511 number too but no luck. I sent messages through UI Online but no response after 10 days. I tried the 'Contact Us' form twice. Getting desperate as rent is due soon and I need this fixed! Has anyone actually managed to speak with a real person recently? Any secret techniques or best times to call?
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Alice Pierce
The EDD phone system is absolutely brutal right now. I managed to get through last Thursday by calling exactly at 8:01am (not 8:00 when everyone else calls). Try option 1-2-4 when you get the menu - it seems to route to representatives who can actually help with pending claims. Also, call midweek instead of Monday or Friday when volume is highest. Be prepared with your social and all claim details so you don't waste time once connected.
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Amy Fleming
•Thanks for the tips! I'll try the 8:01am trick tomorrow and that specific menu path. Did they resolve your issue in one call or did you need multiple contacts?
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Esteban Tate
lol good luck man ive been tryng for 2 weeks straight. edd is a joke. they expect us to certify on time but cant even answer there own phones!!!
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Ivanna St. Pierre
•I share your frustration, but remember EDD is severely understaffed. They're processing thousands of claims with limited resources. That said, their communication is terrible. I wonder if an assembly member's office might help? That worked for some people during the pandemic when claims were backed up.
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Elin Robinson
After struggling with the same issue for nearly a month (38 calls in one day, my personal record), I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD representative in less than 30 minutes. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km - basically it automates the calling and menu navigation, then notifies you when it's connected to a live agent. Their website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. Seriously saved my sanity when I needed to explain why I had reported wages incorrectly on my certification.
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Amy Fleming
•Thanks for sharing! I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. Did the agent you reached actually have the ability to fix your issue? I'm worried about getting through just to be told they can't help with pending claims or something.
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Atticus Domingo
•Is that even legal? Sounds like a scam to me. EDD would tell us if there was an official way to get through. I wouldn't trust some random service with my claim information.
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Beth Ford
So my situation was similar - claim stuck on pending for weeks with no explanation. What worked for me was calling the disability line instead (1-800-480-3287) and when I got through, politely asking to be transferred to the regular UI department. The disability line has WAY fewer callers, and the reps there can transfer you! I got through on my third try around 3pm. Once transferred, the UI rep found that my identity verification wasn't properly processed by their system even though I completed ID.me successfully. She fixed it on the spot and my payment went from pending to paid overnight.
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Amy Fleming
•That's a brilliant workaround! I hadn't thought about trying other EDD department numbers. I'll definitely try the disability line tomorrow if my morning attempts don't work. It sounds like my issue might be similar with the ID verification.
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Morita Montoya
•I tried this and the disability dept refused to transfer me. Said they couldn't do that anymore because too many people were using this "loophole." Maybe depends on who answers?
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Morita Montoya
My identity verification got stuck in their system too, and my payments were pending for almost 5 weeks! What's ridiculous is that there was no notification or flag on my account - it just sat there with no explanation. When I FINALLY got through, the rep fixed it in literally 2 minutes. Have you checked if your state assembly person can help? They have EDD liaisons who can sometimes expedite these issues.
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Amy Fleming
•That's exactly what I suspect is happening with my claim - stuck with no explanation! How did you contact your assembly person? Do I just look up who represents my district and email their office? I'll try anything at this point.
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Ivanna St. Pierre
While reaching EDD by phone is certainly challenging, I'd suggest trying these specific approaches: 1. Call at 8:01am Tuesday-Thursday (avoid Monday rush) 2. When prompted for your Social Security Number, don't enter anything - this sometimes routes you to a live person faster 3. Try the Technical Support line (1-855-327-7057) and then ask for a transfer 4. Ensure your UI Online contact information is 100% up-to-date, as they sometimes try to call claimants with issues 5. Check if your identity verification was successfully processed - this is a common reason for claims being stuck in pending Also make sure your certification answers are consistent with your application to avoid triggering eligibility interviews.
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Amy Fleming
•Thanks for the detailed advice! I hadn't heard about not entering my SSN - that's an interesting trick. My certification answers should be consistent, but it's possible the identity verification didn't process correctly since I never got confirmation. I'll try the technical support line tomorrow too.
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Alice Pierce
Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get through using any of these methods? I'm curious which one worked (if any).
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Amy Fleming
•UPDATE: Success! I finally got through using a combination of tips from this thread. Called the main number at exactly 8:01am, used option 1-2-4, and when asked for SSN I didn't enter anything. Was on hold for 47 minutes but finally spoke to someone who confirmed my ID verification had failed to process correctly even though I completed it. She fixed it on the spot and said payments should be released in 24-48 hours. Thank you all for the help - this community is amazing!
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