EDD phone nightmare - called for 2 weeks straight and can't get through to anyone!

same boat here!! been trying for 10 days straight and nothing. its like they dont even have real ppl working there anymore lol

I had the EXACT same problem last month and literally wanted to throw my phone through a window. I found out the trick is to call the main number, then when the automated system answers, press 1-2-4 right away in sequence. Then wait through all the prompts, and when they ask about UI Online, press 3 instead of 1. For some reason this route has fewer callers and I got through after only 45 minutes on hold. Worth a try!

The EDD phone system is notoriously overwhelmed, especially at the beginning of each month when most people are trying to resolve certification or payment issues. A few technical points to understand: 1. The main EDD lines receive approximately 300,000+ calls per day with capacity to handle only about 10% of those 2. The 8-12 morning window is actually their highest volume time, contrary to what many believe 3. If your claim shows 'pending', it likely requires manual review by a tier 2 specialist, not just any representative If you need to speak with someone quickly, I would recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was skeptical at first, but after weeks of failed attempts, they connected me to an EDD representative within 25 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Otherwise, mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) between 1-3pm tends to have slightly better odds for getting through on your own.

why dont u just go 2 the edd office? thats what i did

I've worked with EDD claims for years, and unfortunately this phone situation has gotten worse since 2025 started. Here's what's actually happening: when your claim shows 'pending' for over 3 weeks, it's almost always because it's been flagged for one of these reasons: 1. Income verification issue 2. Identity verification pending 3. Eligibility interview needed 4. Potential overlap with another claim type The regular tier 1 reps often can't help with these anyway. You need a tier 2 specialist. While the phone methods others suggested might work, you should also: 1. Send a secure message through UI Online specifically mentioning how long you've been pending and that you need urgent assistance due to financial hardship 2. Check your UI Online inbox daily - sometimes they schedule phone interviews but the notification gets missed 3. Complete any outstanding tasks in your UI Online account If you do get through by phone, immediately ask for a tier 2 specialist and explain your claim has been pending for nearly a month. Regular reps will often just tell you to wait longer.

Just wanted to update everyone on what worked for me last week when I was in the exact same situation. After trying for days, I used Claimyr and got through to EDD in about 15 minutes. The rep told me my claim was pending because they needed to verify my last employer (even though I had submitted all the documentation). She fixed it on the spot and my payment was released the next day. Definitely worth it when rent is on the line!

UPDATE: I finally got through!!! I tried the 1-2-4-3 button sequence that someone suggested here, and after 3 attempts and 67 minutes on hold, I spoke with a real person! Turns out my claim was pending because they needed additional verification of my employment separation (my employer contested it - thanks a lot guys). The rep escalated it to a supervisor who approved my claim on the spot. My payment should be processed within 48 hours. For anyone else struggling - KEEP TRYING. The button sequence definitely helped get past the 'too many calls' message. And seriously, thank you all for the advice and support. This community is amazing.