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Sadie Benitez

EDD still owes me money from 2020-21 - What's the best number to call in 2025?

Can't believe I'm STILL dealing with this EDD nightmare from the pandemic! They owe me around $4,200 from when my claim got messed up in late 2020 and early 2021. I've tried calling the main number so many times but either get disconnected or wait 3+ hours just to talk to someone who can't help. Did they change their phone system recently? Is there a better number to call now in 2025 to actually reach a human who can fix back-dated claim issues? I've tried the regular UI line (1-800-300-5616) but no luck. Also, does anyone know if there's a time limit on collecting unpaid benefits from that period? Starting to worry they'll tell me it's been too long... Any advice appreciated!

same boat! they owe me 3k from 2021 too. the system is designed to make u give up tbh

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It's beyond frustrating! Have you had any luck getting through on ANY number? I feel like I'm going crazy repeating the same process expecting different results.

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The best number is still 1-800-300-5616, but the trick is calling exactly at 8:01am. Also, try the technical support line at 1-833-978-2511 - sometimes they can transfer you to a claims specialist who can see older claim info. Don't worry about time limits too much. While there's technically a one-year deadline to appeal decisions, if the money was already approved but never paid, they still owe you. You should request a formal appeal in writing though - that creates a paper trail they can't ignore.

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This information is not entirely accurate. The technical support line can't transfer you to claims specialists anymore since their department reorganization in January. They now strictly handle UI Online access issues and password resets. For old claims from 2020-21, you need to specifically ask for the "Claim Review Unit" when you call the main number. Also be prepared with documentation showing you were eligible during those weeks - they'll request proof of job searches and any certifications you completed.

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try calling at like 4:45pm on wednesday!!!! that worked 4 me last month the lady said end of day is better cuz alot of reps hit their call quotas already

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I was in a similar situation with unpaid benefits from late 2020. After months of getting nowhere with regular calls, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an EDD rep in under 25 minutes. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Once I finally got through, I learned I needed to file a specific type of retroactive appeal for pandemic-era claims. The rep transferred me to someone who specialized in resolving these older issues. Definitely worth getting through to the right department quickly rather than trying the main line for months.

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I've heard mixed things about those call services. But at this point, might be worth trying if you've been dealing with this for literally years. Just make sure you're prepared with your claim ID, exact dates of unpaid weeks, and any determination numbers from notices they sent you. The retroactive appeal process takes about 3-4 weeks if you get it started correctly.

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Thank you! At this point I'm willing to try anything. After 4+ years of getting nowhere, I just want this resolved. I'll check out that service and make sure I have all my documentation ready.

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i know this is kinda off topic but does anyone know if 2020 covid claims still affect your regular unemployment now?? i had issues with mine back then too but gave up & now i need to apply for regular benefits

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They shouldn't affect a new claim in 2025, as the base periods would be completely different. However, if you had any unresolved issues like overpayments or penalty weeks from the pandemic period, those could carry over to a new claim. You should check your UI Online account to see if there are any outstanding issues before filing a new claim.

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I finally got my backpay from 2021 resolved last month after filing a formal complaint with the EDD Audit Department. Here's what worked for me: 1. Call the main number (1-800-300-5616) and specifically request a "retroactive certification opportunity" for the missing weeks 2. Get the name and ID number of any rep you speak with 3. Follow up with a fax (yes, they still use fax!) to 916-403-2500 with all your documentation 4. If that doesn't work within 10 business days, file an official complaint through the EDD website under "Claim Issues" 5. Be persistent and keep detailed records of all communications I was owed $5,800 and finally received it after nearly 4 years of fighting. Don't give up!

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This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I didn't even know the Audit Department was an option. I'll start with the main number tomorrow and ask specifically for the retroactive certification opportunity. Congratulations on finally getting your money!

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they still use FAX??? wth is this 1995???

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When I had this problem I went to my state assembly person's office and they helped me fix it in like 2 weeks! They have special contacts at EDD that actually respond. Worth trying!

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This is excellent advice. Assembly members and state senators have dedicated EDD liaisons who can cut through red tape. Just be sure to bring all your documentation to their office - claim numbers, dates, correspondence, etc. They can't help without specific details.

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I hadn't thought of that approach! I'll look up my assembly rep's contact info right now. Thank you!

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I have a question . Ok EDD paid me to the bank of America debit account the first like backdated money that came out the first time when they backdated it was Alil over 10,000 . But then ID me started and I had to go get a new drivers license or ID before I could prove my identity and so they deemed me as fraudulent until I got my identification card in order and finally did the ID me thing . So Bank of America has me in there Systems as fraudulent because of EDD entering me in there system that way . but after I fixed myself with the Edd and I certified all new weeks they paid me in paper checks. now I don’t understand why that was but it is how they did me. I asked about my funds i had already received to my debit card. That were locked on the card the moment Edd marked me as fraudulent in there system . They said I need to take it up with Bank of America . And when I call Bank of America they say I’m fraudulent in there system so they have nothing more to discuss With me . eDD is the ones who entered me in there system as frauduant so they would need to be the ones to fix me . I said but they did I have beeen paid my second half of what was owed to me . They said well doesn’t show anything of that sorts in there side so they have nothing more to discus with me again and hung up on me. they didn’t let me finish talking or even explain I was paid in paper checks was the difference this time.So yea can anyone follow ??? I don’t know where to go from there I did call Edd again an again an again an dont seem to through anymore it’s toatally irritating N I feel as if I should just give up. But those funds were in my account I was just able to pull out about 1000 a day because I was waiting for my if to go in the bank to pull out the fukk funds so that was why my money was still in my card when they blocked it . And since it is supposedly not unblocked by Edd Bank of America aren’t fukin with me excuse my language im jus tired and want to give up its probably to late to even get it died still ….. help advice any words of direction with this please

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This sounds incredibly frustrating! You're caught in a classic bureaucratic loop where EDD and Bank of America keep pointing fingers at each other. Since EDD eventually verified your identity and paid you via paper checks, you need documentation of this resolution to show Bank of America. Call EDD again, but this time specifically ask for: 1. A formal letter confirming your identity was verified and fraudulent status removed 2. Documentation showing the change to paper checks was their decision 3. A specific contact person or department at EDD who handles Bank of America card issues For Bank of America, try escalating beyond regular customer service. Ask for a supervisor immediately when you call. Also consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) about the locked funds - this often gets faster attention. Don't give up on that money! There's typically a longer timeframe for claiming funds that were already issued to you versus requesting new benefits. Document every call with names, dates and reference numbers. The paper trail will be crucial if you need to involve a consumer advocate or attorney later.

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Has anyone tried reaching out to the EDD Ombudsman Office? I just discovered they exist after dealing with my own 2020 claim issues. They're supposed to help with unresolved problems that regular customer service can't fix. The number is 1-800-300-5616 ext. 2511 (different from the tech support line mentioned earlier). I'm planning to contact them this week along with trying the assembly member route that Angel suggested. Figure it's worth hitting this from multiple angles since we've all been waiting way too long for money that's rightfully ours!

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Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and infuriating - I can't believe so many of us are still fighting for pandemic money in 2025! I'm in a similar boat with about $3,600 owed from early 2021 when my claim got stuck in their system during all the fraud investigations. Based on what I'm seeing here, I'm going to try a multi-pronged approach: calling at 8:01am sharp asking specifically for the "Claim Review Unit about retroactive certification" (thanks Mei for that exact language!), and if that doesn't work within a week, I'll contact both my assembly member and file a formal complaint through the EDD website like TommyKapitz suggested. One thing I wanted to add - I found an old email confirmation from 2021 that shows I completed ID.me verification, which might help prove my claim was legitimate all along. For anyone else digging through old records, check your email for any EDD confirmations or ID.me completion notices from that time period. It's ridiculous that we have to become experts in government bureaucracy just to get paid what we're already owed, but I'm not giving up on $3,600. Thanks everyone for sharing your strategies - this thread is more helpful than anything I've found on the official EDD website!

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That ID.me verification email is a great find! I wish I had kept better records from that chaotic period. Your multi-pronged approach sounds solid - I think combining the specific language for the Claim Review Unit with the backup plan of contacting your assembly member gives you the best shot at finally getting this resolved. It's honestly mind-boggling that in 2025 we're all still playing detective with our own government records just to claim money that was rightfully approved years ago. But seeing Mei's recent success gives me hope that they do have people who can actually fix these issues now - it's just a matter of reaching the right department. Keep us posted on how your calls go! This thread has become like a support group for pandemic EDD survivors, and every success story helps motivate the rest of us to keep fighting.

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