EDD callback taking forever - how long should I expect to wait?

I found a way to solve EDD callback wait times, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXNL_zbi4K0

Welcome to EDD hell, my friend. 🔥 I've been in the same boat for weeks now. Their business hours are supposedly 8 AM to 5 PM PST, Monday through Friday. But good luck actually getting through to a human being in that time!

I feel your pain, OP. The wait times are ridiculous. In my experience, it can take up to a full business day to get a callback. And that's if you're lucky. Sometimes you don't even get a call back at all and have to start the whole process over again. 😫

Hey guys, I actually found a method that works to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

Pro tip: Try calling on Tuesday or Wednesday. Mondays and Fridays are usually the busiest. Also, avoid calling around lunch time if possible. Good luck!

The EDD system is a joke. 🤡 I've been trying to resolve an issue for THREE MONTHS now. Every time I call, I get a different answer. It's like they're making it up as they go along. Anyone else experiencing this level of incompetence?

Here's what I've learned after dealing with EDD for way too long: 1. Persistence is key. Don't give up. 2. Document EVERYTHING. Every call, every letter, every interaction. 3. Be prepared when you do get through. Have all your info ready. 4. Try different methods - phone, online, mail. Sometimes one works better than others. 5. Stay calm and polite with the reps. It's not their fault the system sucks. 6. Consider reaching out to your local representatives for help. 7. Join EDD-focused Facebook groups for tips and support. Hang in there, everyone. This process is a marathon, not a sprint.

Has anyone had any luck with the online portal? I've been trying to update my claim there but keep getting error messages. 😤

I'm convinced EDD stands for 'Extremely Delayed Disappointment' at this point. 🙃

Just went through this same nightmare last week! I waited 3.5 hours for my callback and when they finally called, the connection was so bad I could barely hear them. Had to schedule ANOTHER callback. 😡 One thing that helped me was using the contact form on their website as backup - sometimes they respond to those faster than phone calls. Also, if you have UI Online access, try messaging through there too. Multiple channels seem to increase your chances. The 8 AM - 5 PM thing is accurate, but honestly those hours feel more like suggestions than actual availability. Hang in there - you're definitely not alone in this frustration!

I feel your pain - I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been waiting for a callback for over 4 hours and starting to wonder if it's even coming today. From what I've gathered reading through all these comments, it seems like the wait times are completely unpredictable. Some people get calls back in a few hours, others wait all day or don't get called back at all. The system really is broken. @CosmicCommander thanks for the tip about using multiple channels! I'm going to try the contact form and UI Online messaging while I wait for this callback. Might as well cover all bases at this point. Has anyone had success with calling the disability insurance number instead? I heard sometimes they can transfer you or at least give you better info than the main unemployment line.

Ugh, this brings back traumatic memories! 😩 I went through this exact same thing about 6 months ago. Waited over 5 hours for a callback that never came, then had to start the whole process over again the next day. Here's what I learned from my EDD nightmare: The callback system is basically a coin flip. Sometimes they call within an hour, sometimes never. I ended up having better luck just staying on hold the old-fashioned way rather than waiting for callbacks. Also, pro tip - if you do get through to someone and your call gets disconnected (which happens A LOT), immediately call back and tell them you were just disconnected from a specialist. They can sometimes fast-track you back to someone without going through the whole phone tree again. The fact that we even need to share survival tips for dealing with a government agency is absolutely ridiculous. But here we are! 🤷‍♀️ Stay strong, everyone!

I'm dealing with the same exact issue right now! Been waiting 3+ hours for my callback and starting to lose hope. Reading through all these responses is both comforting (knowing I'm not alone) and terrifying (realizing how broken this system really is). @Charlie Yang your comprehensive list is incredibly helpful - I'm screenshot-ing that for reference! And @CosmicCommander, I'm definitely going to try the multi-channel approach while I wait. One thing I'm wondering - has anyone had success calling first thing Monday morning? I know @Sophia Rodriguez mentioned avoiding Mondays, but I'm thinking maybe right at 8 AM before everyone else starts calling? At this point I'm willing to try anything. The fact that we're all sharing survival strategies for dealing with our own state's unemployment office is just... wow. But grateful for this community keeping each other sane through this nightmare! 🤝

This thread is so helpful and depressing at the same time! 😭 I'm currently on hour 6 of waiting for my callback and honestly starting to wonder if I should just give up for today and try again tomorrow. Reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like the 2+ hour wait you mentioned @876094894ea6 is actually pretty optimistic! Some of y'all have been waiting WAY longer. The inconsistency is what gets me - how can a government system be THIS unreliable? I'm definitely going to try some of the strategies mentioned here. @Charlie Yang your 7-point list is going straight into my notes, and @CosmicCommander I'm opening up the UI Online portal right now to send a message there too while I wait. Has anyone tried calling the main EDD number and just pressing different menu options to see if you can get routed to a less busy department? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point! 🤞 Stay strong everyone - at least we're all suffering through this together! 💪