EDD phone nightmare - impossible to reach anyone after max callers message
I'm about to lose my mind trying to reach EDD on the phone. Been trying every day this week starting at exactly 8:01am. This morning I actually got through the initial menu, sat on hold for 47 minutes (!!), and then got that automated message saying they've reached their 'maximum callers for the day' before it just disconnected me. I've got a pending payment from 3 weeks ago that hasn't cleared and my rent is due next week. Does ANYONE have a direct number or extension that actually works to reach a human being? Or some secret technique to bypass their ridiculous phone system? At this point I'm desperate enough to try anything.
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Andre Laurent
same here, its like they dont want ppl to actually talk to them. been calling for 2 weeks strait. this is BS
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MidnightRider
•So frustrating! Have you had any luck with calling right when they open? That's what I've been trying but clearly it's not working for me either.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
The standard numbers are completely overwhelmed. I've found that calling the disability line sometimes works better even if you have a regular UI claim - they can usually transfer you to the right department. Try (855) 278-7057 and when prompted, press 1 for English (or 2 for Spanish), then 4 for "all other questions". The best times to call are Tuesday through Thursday between 1pm-4pm when call volume typically drops a bit. Avoid Mondays like the plague - that's when everyone tries calling.
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Jamal Washington
•This doesn't work anymore. They updated their phone tree last month and now that trick doesn't get you to a real person. I tried it yesterday and wasted an hour.
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Mei Wong
After dealing with the exact same issue for weeks, I finally got through using Claimyr. It's a service that basically calls EDD for you and connects you when an agent is available. Saved me from having to sit on hold or continuously redial all day. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km It was such a relief to finally talk to someone and get my pending payment released. The website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. Definitely better than wasting days trying to get through on your own.
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MidnightRider
•Thank you! I've never heard of this but I'm desperate at this point. Did they actually help you get through to someone who could fix your claim issue? That's my biggest concern - finally getting through only to be transferred around or told they can't help.
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Mei Wong
•Yes, they connected me directly to a claims specialist who could actually see my file and fix the pending payment issue. The key is that you still need to know what department you need to speak with, but it eliminates the endless redial cycle. Once I got through, it took about 15 minutes to resolve my issue.
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Liam Fitzgerald
I HATE THE EDD PHONE SYSTEM WITH A PASSION!!!! Been trying to get through for 3 MONTHS about my misclassified wages and it's IMPOSSIBLE!!! Even when you DO get through they transfer you and then you get disconnected. The whole system is DESIGNED to prevent people from getting their benefits. They hope we'll just give up!!!! Try the 833-978-2511 number too, sometimes it works better than the main line. BUT THEY ARE ALL TERRIBLE!!! I finally got through last week by calling EXACTLY at 8:02am (not 8:00 when everyone else is calling) and pressing 1, then 2, then 4 immediately when prompted. Still waited 1.5 hours but at least spoke to someone.
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PixelWarrior
•The 833 number hasn't worked for me at all. I've had better luck with the technical support number (855-327-7057) and then asking to be transferred to claims when I get through. They're usually pretty good about transferring, but you have to specifically say your issue is a claim problem, not a technical issue.
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Liam Fitzgerald
•I'll try that number tomorrow! Honestly at this point I'll try ANYTHING. Just need to get this resolved before I get evicted!!!!!
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Amara Adebayo
try calling on wednesday around 10:30, worked for me last month when i had a similar issue with my certification getting stuck
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MidnightRider
•Did you use the main number or one of these other ones people are suggesting? And how long were you on hold when you finally got through?
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Amara Adebayo
•main number, was on hold maybe 25 min but actually talked to someone who fixed my issue
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Jamal Washington
When I had a pending payment problem, I sent a message through UI Online asking about it. To my surprise, they actually fixed it within 3 days without me having to call. Have you tried sending a message through your account portal? Sometimes that works better than the phone.
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MidnightRider
•I sent two messages through the portal about two weeks ago and haven't gotten any response. Did you write anything specific in your message that might have helped get attention?
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Jamal Washington
•I kept it really simple and professional. Just wrote "I have a payment stuck in pending status since [exact date]. All certifications have been completed correctly. Please advise on what is needed to release this payment." Maybe try sending another one with just the basic facts? The system is so overwhelmed that they might skip over long messages.
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PixelWarrior
It sounds like your payment is stuck pending because there's probably an eligibility issue that needs to be resolved. When that happens, you absolutely need to speak with a Tier 2 specialist who can review your claim and remove whatever flag is on your account. Here's what I recommend: 1. Call the main number (800-300-5616) 2. Call at 8:01am precisely (set an alarm) 3. When you get through to anyone, immediately ask to be transferred to a claims specialist or Tier 2 agent 4. Be prepared to explain exactly how long your payment has been pending 5. Have your claim ID and personal information ready The reason your call got disconnected after waiting is that the queue fills up extremely quickly. By 8:30am, they're often already at capacity. Persistence is unfortunately the only reliable method unless you use a service to help you get through.
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MidnightRider
•Thank you for the detailed advice. I've been calling at 8:01 but I'll make sure to specifically ask for a Tier 2 specialist if I get through. I didn't realize there were different tiers of representatives.
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Andre Laurent
just go to ur local EDD office in person, thats what i finally did after 3 weeks of calling
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•This is somewhat misleading. Most EDD offices don't handle UI claims in person anymore. They primarily handle job services and limited disability claims. You generally need an appointment, and even then, they'll often just help you call the same phone line. It's unfortunately not as simple as just showing up.
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MidnightRider
Update: I FINALLY got through this morning! For anyone with the same problem, I used the Claimyr service that someone suggested above, and they connected me with an EDD rep in about 25 minutes. The agent was able to see that my payment was pending because of an "eligibility review" flag that somehow got placed on my account. She removed it and said my payment should process within 48 hours. Fingers crossed, but at least I finally got an explanation! Worth every penny not to spend another week trying to get through.
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Mei Wong
•That's great news! Glad you were able to get it resolved. The eligibility flags are so frustrating because they often get triggered automatically by the system for minor issues that a rep can clear up in minutes - if only we could reach them easily.
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Liam Fitzgerald
•CONGRATS!!! It's sad that we have to pay a third party just to access a government service we're entitled to, but at least you got it resolved! PLEASE update us when your payment actually comes through!
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