EDD phone tree cheat sheet needed - impossible to reach a live agent

The main EDD number is still 1-800-300-5616. When you call, I've had the most success with: Press 1 for English, then 2 for claim questions, then 4 for existing claims. BUT honestly those prompts just put you in the general queue anyway. The trick isn't the prompts - it's WHEN you call. Try exactly at 8:01am (not 8:00 - their system gets flooded) or 4:01pm when staff might be finishing up with other calls.

it doesnt matter wat prompts u use tbh they all go to same queue. iv been on hold 6 hrs before!!!! tried 6 days strait last month b4 i gave up

After weeks of not getting through on my own, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an EDD rep within 20 minutes. Costs money but they guarantee a callback. They basically keep auto-dialing the EDD for you using all the right prompt combinations. I was skeptical but it worked! You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km My pending payments got released the same day after the rep removed whatever flag was on my account. Sometimes you just need to talk to a tier 2 specialist directly.

The phone system is designed to be frustrating, unfortunately. Here's what you need to know: 1. There are two tiers of EDD representatives - Tier 1 can only help with basic issues. Tier 2 can actually fix problems. If your claim is pending for 6+ weeks, you need a Tier 2. 2. When you call 1-800-300-5616, the prompt sequence that has worked best recently is: 1 (English) → 1 (file/manage claim) → 3 (payments) → 4 (speak to representative) 3. Call volume is lowest on Thursdays for some reason 4. Alternative number is the technical support line: 1-833-978-2511, but they'll just transfer you to the main queue anyway 5. If your claim is stuck in pending that long, it probably needs manual review. Keep detailed notes of who you speak to and what they say each time. This is a systematic problem with EDD - it's not just you!

I had same issue last month and what I did was call my local assemblymember's office. They have dedicated EDD liaisons who can help with stuck claims! Google "[your county] state assembly member" and call their constituent services. They resolved my 8-week pending claim in 5 days!

I got thru yesterday finally!!! The trick is to call EXACTLY at 8:12am. Not 8:10 or 8:15. Exactly 8:12am. Something about shift changes or something. The recording still said high call volume but I waited anyway and got a person after 40 mins. Its still a nightmare but better than nothing

my cousin said u can press # like 25 times during the recording and it bypasses the queue but i tried and it didnt work lol

UPDATE: I finally got through!!! Used the 1-1-3-4 prompt sequence that @helpfulEDDguy suggested, called at 8:03am, and after a 67-minute hold (ugh) spoke to someone who could actually help. They said my identity verification had a "discrepancy" but they fixed it and released all my pending payments! Should hit my account in 24-48 hours. Thanks everyone for the suggestions. For anyone else dealing with this nightmare, persistence is key. And definitely try the assembly member route if you can't get through after a week of trying.