EDD phone line nightmare - best contact numbers or tricks to reach a human?
I've been trying to call EDD for 2 weeks straight about my pending certification issue and it's driving me INSANE! I keep getting the 'we're experiencing high call volume' message and then it hangs up on me. I've tried calling right when they open at 8am, during lunch, late afternoon - nothing works! I swear I've called at least 40 times this week alone. I remember seeing a post here with alternative phone numbers or tips for actually getting through to a real person, but I can't find it anymore. Does anyone have any direct numbers that actually work? Or any tricks for navigating the phone system? I've tried the 1-800-300-5616 number and the 833 number too. No luck with either. My rent is due next week and I really need to get this certification issue resolved ASAP. Any advice would be seriously appreciated!
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Ethan Clark
Here's what works for me: call the main number (1-800-300-5616), then immediately press 1, wait for the next prompt and press 2, then 4. This sometimes bypasses the regular queue. Also try calling on Wednesday afternoons - for some reason I've had better luck then. Another option is the Telecert line at 1-866-333-4606, and if you get through, ask to be transferred to a claims specialist.
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Aisha Mahmood
•Thank you! I'll definitely try that sequence tomorrow. Didn't know about Wednesdays being better - is there any particular time you've had success?
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AstroAce
omg ive been in the exact same boat!! tried calling like 60x yesterday and nothing. so frustrating!!!
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Aisha Mahmood
•It's the worst! Have you found any way to get through at all? I'm desperate at this point.
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Yuki Kobayashi
After months of calling EDD with no success, I finally tried Claimyr and got through in less than an hour. Their system basically automates the calling process and notifies you when they have an EDD agent on the line. Saved me days of frustration! Check out their site at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that shows how it works. Honestly worth it for my sanity alone.
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Carmen Vega
•Is that the service that keeps calling until they get through? Sounds interesting but does it actually work? I've been calling for days with no luck.
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Andre Rousseau
I just got through this morning! Try calling the UI line at 1-833-978-2511. I pressed 1, 2, and then 4 when prompted. Took me 13 attempts but FINALLY talked to someone who helped resolve my issue. Don't give up hope!!
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Aisha Mahmood
•13 attempts isn't too bad compared to my 40+! I'll give that specific sequence a try on that number. Thanks for the tip and glad you got your issue fixed!
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Zoe Stavros
The EDD phone system is intentionally designed to be impossible to navigate. They don't WANT you to reach a human because then they'd have to actually help people. I've been dealing with these jokers for months and the only way I've ever gotten through is by calling EXACTLY at 8:01am (not 8:00, they're not ready yet) and using the following sequence: press 1 for English, then wait through ALL the announcements (don't press anything), then 2, then 4. If it says they're receiving too many calls, hang up and redial. Took me 23 attempts last Tuesday but I finally got through. Also, if you reach a Tier 1 agent who can't help, politely ask to be transferred to a Tier 2 specialist. Don't let them rush you off the phone with promises to "look into it."
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AstroAce
•wait whats the difference between tier 1 and tier 2?? i didnt even know there were different levels
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Jamal Harris
Have you tried reaching out to your state assembly member's office? That's what I had to do after 3 weeks of calling with no success. They have dedicated EDD liaisons who can escalate your case. Just Google "[your county] state assembly member" and fill out their constituent services form explaining your situation. They helped me get my pending payments released within a week!
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Aisha Mahmood
•I hadn't thought about contacting my assembly member! That's a great backup plan if I can't get through on the phone this week. Thanks for suggesting this!
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Carmen Vega
Last time I called EDD it took me 3 weeks to get through lol. Finally got someone on the line and they fixed my issue in like 5 minutes. So stupid that it's this hard to talk to someone!! Why can't they just hire more people??
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Zoe Stavros
•Because they're understaffed and underfunded BY DESIGN. The harder it is to get benefits, the fewer benefits they have to pay out. It's disgusting but that's how the system works. The whole thing needs to be overhauled.
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Ethan Clark
One more tip: if you have a complex issue (like identity verification or appeal questions), calling the main line might not help even if you get through. In that case, try these specialized numbers: - For ID.me verification issues: 1-866-401-2849 - For Money Network card problems: 1-866-320-8699 - For overpayment questions: 1-800-676-5737 Also, sometimes the foreign language lines have shorter waits. You can request an English-speaking rep after connecting.
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Aisha Mahmood
•Thanks for these specialized numbers! My issue is about a pending certification where I reported some part-time work, so I'll stick with the main line for now, but I'm saving these for future reference.
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