EDD phone numbers that actually work? 6 weeks without reaching anyone
I'm at my wits' end trying to reach EDD about my claim status. Been attempting to call for SIX WEEKS straight using the main 800 number. Either get the dreaded 'we're experiencing high call volume' message or wait on hold for 2+ hours only to get disconnected. My claim shows 'pending' and rent is due next week. Does anyone have direct numbers to actual EDD representatives who can help? I've tried calling at different times (early morning, late afternoon) but nothing works. Starting to think they don't actually want to help people get their benefits. Any working numbers or extensions would be appreciated!
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Justin Evans
Unfortunately, there's no magic direct number that bypasses the queue. Those 'secret' EDD numbers people share online usually just route you back to the same overwhelmed system. Your best bet is to: 1) Call exactly at 8:01 AM when they open, 2) Try on Wednesday/Thursday when call volume is sometimes lower, 3) When prompted by the automated system, choose the option for 'filing a new claim' even if you're checking status - those reps can usually help with everything and that queue is often shorter.
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Joshua Wood
•Thanks for the tips! I've tried calling right at 8:00 but haven't specifically tried Wednesdays or Thursdays. Will definitely try the 'filing a new claim' option tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed it works because this waiting game is killing me.
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Emily Parker
ive been tryin for 4 weeks myself. same thing, always get hung up on or the 'too many callers' message. its a joke tbh
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Joshua Wood
•Exactly! It feels intentional at this point. How are people supposed to survive while waiting months for benefits to come through? The system is completely broken.
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Ezra Collins
I was in the same situation last month - couldn't get through for weeks and my claim was stuck pending. I finally used Claimyr and got connected to an EDD rep in about 25 minutes. It costs a fee but honestly saved me weeks of frustration. They basically call EDD for you and when they get through, they connect you directly to an agent. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km and their website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. For me it was worth it because I needed to get my pending payment released ASAP for rent.
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Victoria Scott
•wait is this legit?? never heard of it before. seems sketchy to pay someone just to make a phone call for you
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Ezra Collins
•It's definitely legit - I was skeptical too at first. But they don't actually handle your claim or ask for any sensitive account info, they just connect you with an actual EDD rep. I had my claim fixed that same day after weeks of trying on my own.
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Benjamin Johnson
Former UI specialist here. The sad reality is that EDD still hasn't fully recovered from the pandemic-era staff shortages. Your pending status could be due to several issues: identity verification problems, quarterly income review, or eligibility interview scheduling. If you're in URGENT need (eviction risk), contact your local Assembly Member's office. They have dedicated EDD liaisons who can escalate cases. Found that constituents who went this route often got responses within 72 hours versus weeks through regular channels.
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Joshua Wood
•Wow, thanks for the insider perspective! I hadn't thought about contacting my Assembly Member. I'll look up their office information right now. Do I just call and explain my situation to whoever answers?
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Benjamin Johnson
•Exactly - call your Assembly Member's office, tell them you need help with an EDD case, and they'll have you fill out a release form so they can inquire on your behalf. Be sure to mention if you're facing a financial hardship like potential eviction as that can flag your case for expedited review.
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Zara Perez
I HATE THE EDD SO MUCH!!!! Been trying to reach them since January about my wrongful disqualification and STILL NOTHING!!! Their whole system is designed to make people give up. I've called over 200 times (not exaggerating). Once waited on hold for 3 hours and 42 minutes before they hung up on me. THIS IS CRIMINAL!!!!!
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Victoria Scott
•totally agree. its almost like they hope if they make it hard enough people will just give up and go away
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Daniel Rogers
I had a similar issue back in February and what ended up working for me was pressing 1, then 2, then 4 when the automated system answered. Got me to the employer line but those reps were actually able to help with my claim problem too. Worth a try!
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Justin Evans
•This isn't recommended. The employer line reps aren't supposed to handle claimant issues, and most will just transfer you back to the main queue when they realize you're not an employer. It might work occasionally but can actually increase your wait time if you get transferred.
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Victoria Scott
have u tried the ask edd feature on the website? sometimes u can get help that way without calling
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Joshua Wood
•I did try using Ask EDD twice and got generic automated responses that didn't address my specific situation. My claim needs an actual human to look at it unfortunately.
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Daniel Rogers
When my daughter was trying to reach EDD last year, we discovered they actually have different numbers for different claim types. Are you on regular UI, disability, or something else? That might help people give more specific advice.
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Joshua Wood
•Sorry, should have mentioned that! I'm on regular UI. My employer did a mass layoff in February, and I filed right away. Got approved but payments just say pending with no explanation why.
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Daniel Rogers
•Oh that happened to my neighbor too. For him, it turned out he had answered one of the certification questions in a way that flagged his account for an eligibility interview. But no one contacted him about scheduling one, so his payments just sat in pending limbo for weeks. Definitely need to talk to someone!
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Emily Parker
btw i heard theres a glitch with the edd system right now where tons of claims from february are stuck in pending. saw it on reddit yesterday. might explain whats happening
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Justin Evans
•This is partially true. It's not actually a 'glitch' but a processing delay related to EDD's quarterly wage review. Claims filed in the last 2 weeks of a quarter often experience longer processing times as the system verifies employer-reported wages against claim information. This is a normal (if frustrating) process, not a technical error.
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Ezra Collins
I was able to reach EDD yesterday after using the Claimyr service I mentioned above. The rep told me they're currently backlogged on processing claims from mass layoffs because they require additional verification from employers. So if you were part of a large layoff like you mentioned, that might be why you're stuck in pending. Definitely worth getting through to ask specifically about that.
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Joshua Wood
•That's really helpful information and makes sense given my situation. I think I'll try Claimyr tomorrow if my morning call attempt doesn't work. At this point, I just need to talk to someone who can actually help before I miss another rent payment.
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Hassan Khoury
I feel your pain! I went through something similar last year and finally got through using a combination of strategies. Here's what worked for me: 1) Download an auto-redial app on your phone so you don't have to manually keep calling, 2) Try calling the disability line at (800) 480-3287 and ask to be transferred to regular UI - sometimes they can help or the transfer gets you past the initial queue, 3) If you're really desperate, try calling your state senator's office too (not just assembly member) - they often have different EDD contacts. The mass layoff explanation makes total sense for why you're stuck. Don't give up - you WILL get through eventually!
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Sean Kelly
•Thank you so much for all these suggestions! I hadn't heard of using an auto-redial app - that's genius and would save me from having to sit there hitting redial all morning. I'm going to try the disability line transfer trick tomorrow along with calling my state senator's office if that doesn't work. It's reassuring to hear that others have eventually gotten through, even if it takes weeks. Really appreciate you taking the time to share what worked for you!
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Diego Flores
•Just wanted to add that the auto-redial app suggestion is brilliant! I used one called "Auto Redial" from the app store when I was dealing with EDD issues last year. Set it to redial every 30 seconds and let it run while I did other things. Saved my sanity from having to manually call hundreds of times. Also, Hassan is right about the state senator route - sometimes they have different connections than assembly members. Good luck Joshua, really hope one of these methods gets you through soon!
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Kelsey Chin
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim in early February after getting laid off and it's been stuck on "pending" ever since. I've probably called 50+ times and either get the busy signal or sit on hold forever just to get disconnected. It's so frustrating because I can see my claim was approved but no payments are being released. I tried the online "Ask EDD" thing but just got a generic response telling me to wait. Has anyone had luck with faxing documentation directly to EDD? I'm wondering if there's some paperwork issue holding up my claim that I don't even know about. This whole system feels broken - how are people supposed to pay bills while waiting months for benefits they're entitled to?
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AstroAdventurer
•I'm in literally the exact same boat as you! Filed in late February after a mass layoff and have been stuck on pending ever since. The fax route is worth trying - I've heard some people had success faxing their ID verification documents directly to EDD at (916) 319-4434, especially if there might be an identity verification hold on your account. You can also try faxing a letter explaining your situation to your local EDD office. The Sacramento office fax is (916) 464-7000. It's a long shot but at least it's another way to get documentation into their system while we're all trying to get through on the phones. This whole situation is absolutely ridiculous - we shouldn't have to jump through this many hoops just to access benefits we've paid into!
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