EDD hung up on me TWICE after hours on hold - how to file formal complaint?

omg that happened to me 2!!! its like they WANT us to give up. so frustrating!!

Yes, there's an official process for filing complaints with EDD. You have three options: 1. Submit a complaint through their online portal at edd.ca.gov under 'Contact EDD' > 'Submit Complaint' 2. Mail a written complaint to: EDD Customer Service Center, PO Box 826880, Sacramento, CA 94280 3. Contact your state assembly member or senator - they often have staff dedicated to helping constituents with EDD issues Make sure to document everything - dates/times of calls, any confirmation numbers, and names of representatives if you got them. The more specific details you provide, the better chance your complaint will be addressed properly.

Honestly, complaining to EDD directly rarely gets results in my experience. I went through the same horrible phone cycle for WEEKS trying to fix a disqualification on my claim. After multiple hang-ups and 3+ hour holds, I found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual EDD rep in under 30 minutes. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km They basically navigate the phone tree and wait on hold for you, then call you when they have an agent on the line. It was the only thing that worked after weeks of frustration. Their website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out.

While filing a complaint is important, you should also focus on resolving your underlying claim issue. Contact your local state assembly member's office IMMEDIATELY. They have dedicated EDD liaisons who can escalate your case directly to EDD's legislative unit, bypassing the regular phone lines entirely. This is often the most effective way to get your actual claim issue resolved while your complaint is being processed. I've helped dozens of people with EDD issues, and the legislative route is consistently the most effective. The EDD complaint system does work, but it's usually much slower than going through your representative's office. Make sure you have your claim number, last 4 of SSN, and detailed description of your situation when you contact them.

Before u do all that try calling right when they open at 8am!!! Thats the ONLY time i can ever get thru without insane waits. I set my alarm for 7:55am and start dialing at 7:59. Usually get thru in under 30 min that way. Might save u some time vs waiting for complaints to process.

I've been through EXACTLY what you're describing! It's beyond frustrating. When I finally reached someone who actually helped, they told me that sometimes the phone system disconnects calls automatically if there's any issue with the connection - it's not always the rep hanging up intentionally. Not sure if that makes it any better, but just so you know. One thing that worked for me was choosing the option for "employer questions" instead of claimant questions. The wait times were MUCH shorter (only about 20 mins) and the rep was able to transfer me to the right department without losing my place in line. Definitely file that complaint though! The more of us who document these issues, the more pressure there is to fix the system.

my sister works for the state (not EDD) and she says they all know EDD is a mess but nobody wants to fix it cuz it would cost too much $$$. they dont care about us at all!!!

Just want to add - when you file your complaint, be very specific about what resolution you're seeking. Are you wanting someone to contact you about your claim? Are you seeking an apology? Do you want confirmation that the issue has been addressed with staff? The more clear you are about what you want, the more likely you are to get a satisfactory response. Also, if your underlying claim issue is urgent due to financial hardship, be sure to mention that prominently in your complaint. EDD does have provisions to expedite cases where severe financial hardship can be demonstrated.

did u try asking for a tier 2 specialist?? sometimes the first person who answers cant actually help with anything but they can transfer u to someone who can!!

I had a similar issue last month and went to my assemblyman. his office fixed everything in 3 days after i spent weeks getting nowhere with EDD. its crazy how fast they moved once a politicians office contacted them!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - the EDD phone system is absolutely broken. I went through something similar last year and here's what finally worked for me: 1. Document EVERYTHING - keep a detailed log of every call (date, time, wait time, what happened). This will be crucial for your complaint. 2. Contact your state assembly member's office IMMEDIATELY. They have dedicated EDD liaisons who can bypass the regular phone system entirely. I got a response within 48 hours after months of phone hell. 3. File the official complaint through edd.ca.gov, but don't rely on that alone - it can take weeks for a response. 4. Try calling the disability insurance number (1-800-480-3287) and explaining your situation. Sometimes they can transfer you to the right department with less wait time. The fact that you're facing eviction makes this an emergency - make sure to emphasize the financial hardship in all your communications. The legislative route is honestly your best bet for getting this resolved quickly. Hang in there!

I feel your pain - the EDD system is absolutely broken and what happened to you is completely unacceptable. Being hung up on twice after waiting hours is infuriating, especially when you're facing eviction. Here's what I'd recommend doing RIGHT NOW: 1. **Contact your state assembly member's office immediately** - this is your fastest path to resolution. They have direct lines to EDD's legislative unit that bypasses the horrible phone system entirely. 2. **File the official complaint at edd.ca.gov** under Contact EDD > Submit Complaint. Include every detail: dates, times, wait duration, exactly what happened. 3. **Try the "employer questions" phone option** - the wait times are often much shorter and they can transfer you to the right department. 4. **Document your financial hardship clearly** - mention the pending eviction and utility shutoffs in all communications. EDD has expedited processes for severe hardship cases. Also, don't give up on calling early morning (right at 8am) - it doesn't always work but your chances are much better than afternoon calls. The legislative route through your assembly member is honestly your best bet for getting this resolved within days rather than weeks. They hate getting these calls because it makes EDD look bad, so they actually prioritize them. Stay strong - you shouldn't have to deal with this garbage!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - what a nightmare! Being hung up on twice after waiting hours is absolutely unacceptable, especially when you're facing eviction. The suggestions here about contacting your assembly member are spot on - that's often the only way to cut through the EDD bureaucracy. One additional tip that helped me: if you do get through to someone again, immediately ask for their name and employee ID number before explaining your situation. Sometimes just knowing they'll be held accountable makes them less likely to hang up. Also, try recording the call (California is a two-party consent state, so you'd need to inform them you're recording). The fact that you're documenting everything with call logs and times is smart - that evidence will be crucial for your complaint. I really hope the assembly member route works quickly for you. No one should have to deal with this level of incompetence when they're already struggling financially. Keep fighting!

This whole situation is absolutely infuriating and unfortunately way too common with EDD. I went through something very similar last year - multiple hang-ups after waiting literally hours on hold. It's like they're designed to make us give up. Here's what I learned works best: **For immediate help:** Contact your state assembly member or senator's office RIGHT NOW. They have dedicated EDD liaisons who can escalate your case directly to EDD's legislative unit. This bypasses the broken phone system entirely. I got a call back within 2 days after months of phone hell. **For the complaint:** Definitely file through edd.ca.gov under Contact EDD > Submit Complaint, but don't expect fast results. Include every detail - dates, times, how long you waited, what exactly happened. **Phone strategy if you try again:** Call the employer line (1-800-300-5616) instead of the claimant line. Wait times are usually shorter and they can transfer you without losing your place in line. The assembly member route is honestly your best shot at getting this resolved before your rent is due. Make sure to emphasize the financial hardship and impending eviction - they prioritize emergency cases. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to jump through these hoops just to access benefits we're entitled to, but hang in there. You're not alone in this fight!

I'm absolutely livid reading this - what you went through is completely unacceptable! Being hung up on twice after waiting over 3 hours total is beyond frustrating, especially with your rent due soon. Here's what has worked for others in similar situations: **IMMEDIATE ACTION:** Contact your state assembly member's office tomorrow morning. This is consistently the most effective route - they have direct EDD liaisons who can bypass the broken phone system entirely. Many people here have gotten responses within 2-3 days this way. **COMPLAINT PROCESS:** File through edd.ca.gov under Contact EDD > Submit Complaint. Include every detail you have - dates, times, wait durations, exactly what happened. Your documentation will be crucial. **PHONE HACKS (if needed):** Try the employer questions line (shorter waits) or call right at 8am sharp. Some have success with the disability insurance number too. **DOCUMENT EVERYTHING:** Keep that call log going and emphasize your financial hardship (potential eviction) in all communications - EDD has expedited processes for emergency situations. The legislative route through your assembly member is honestly your best shot at getting this resolved before your rent is due. It shouldn't have to come to this, but the system is so broken that going through elected officials is often the only way to get actual help. Stay strong and don't let them wear you down!