EDD phone system is a nightmare - 3 weeks trying to reach a human agent

I feel your pain! The EDD phone system is deliberately designed to keep people from getting through. After 2 weeks of trying every method possible, I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that basically keeps dialing for you until it gets through, then calls you when it connects. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km It was the only thing that worked after I spent days getting nowhere. Finally talked to an agent who fixed my pending payment issue in literally 5 minutes. Might be worth trying since you're close to your rent deadline.

lol welcome to the wonderful world of EDD... been dealing with this garbage for months!! good luck actually talking to anyone

The trick is to call at EXACTLY 8:01am when they first open. Not 8:00 (system isn't ready) and not 8:05 (too many callers already). Also DO NOT use the main number. Call the technical support line at 833-978-2511 instead and when the automated system asks why you're calling, say "payment issue" instead of "claim questions" - that routes you to tier 2 agents who can actually fix things. I was in the same situation last month - pending for 3 weeks, rent coming due, total panic. When I finally got through, the agent told me my identity verification had a small discrepancy that was holding everything up. Fixed in 10 minutes once I actually talked to someone. Hang in there!

the whole system is rigged against us..i been unemployed 4 months and still fighting with them every week just to get whats mine. they hope people give up i think

Former EDD employee here. The phone system is indeed a nightmare, but there's a method to navigate it. The main issue is that they have approximately 1/3 of the staff needed to handle current call volume. Here's what I recommend: 1. The technical support number mentioned above (833-978-2511) is indeed better than the main line 2. Calling between 8:01-8:15am or 4:30-5:00pm typically has the best success rates 3. If your claim shows "pending" for more than 2 weeks, it's typically for one of these reasons: - Identity verification issue (most common) - Income verification discrepancy - Former employer contesting the claim - Eligibility interview needed You can also request a callback from within your UI Online account under "Contact EDD" - choose "Claims Questions" and "Payments" as the categories. Callbacks are currently running 3-5 business days but at least you don't have to keep calling. The system is badly designed but not deliberately obstructive - it's just severely understaffed.

i tried for WEEKS calling the regular number with no luck!!! i used that claimyr thing someone else mentioned and it actually worked. got through in like 20 min when i had been trying for 2 weeks by myself. just sharing what worked for me cause i know how frustrating it is.

Just wanted to point out that you mentioned you were laid off from a restaurant management job - make absolutely sure you're certifying correctly about your work search activities. As a manager, EDD might expect more specific job search efforts than typical restaurant workers. This can cause pending status if there's any question about your work search. Also, when you do reach someone, ask them to check for "stop payment alerts" on your account. These can happen for various reasons and often the EDD agent doesn't even tell you there's an alert unless you specifically ask about it. The phone system is frustrating by design - they're dealing with thousands of fraud attempts daily, so the barriers are partly to prevent automated systems from accessing representatives. Doesn't make it any less infuriating when you legitimately need help though!

Quick update on my situation - finally got through to EDD yesterday after trying the 8:01am trick three days in a row. The agent confirmed I had an identity verification flag on my account that needed to be manually cleared. All my payments were released at once and should hit my account within 48 hours! For anyone still struggling to get through, persistence is key. Try every method suggested here until something works. The system is broken, but once you actually reach a person, most issues can be resolved quickly.

FINAL UPDATE: After days of trying everything suggested here, I FINALLY got through using the 833 number at 8:03am this morning! You were all right - I had an identity verification issue that needed manual clearing. The agent was actually super helpful once I got through and released all my payments at once. They should be in my account by Friday! For anyone else struggling: 1. Call the technical support number (833-978-2511) 2. Call at EXACTLY 8:01-8:05am 3. When prompted, say you're calling about a payment issue 4. Be persistent - took me 3 mornings of trying Thank you all for the advice and support. This system is truly broken, but at least I can pay my rent now!