EDD website broken link preventing me from reopening claim - stuck in phone loop for 3 weeks
I'm at my wit's end trying to reopen my unemployment claim! The reopening link on UI Online is completely broken - just gives me an error page when I click it. I've been trying to call the main EDD number (800-300-5616) literally EVERY DAY for the past 3 weeks, dialing multiple times throughout the day. Either I get the 'we're experiencing high call volume' message or it just disconnects me automatically. My benefits stopped 6 weeks ago after I briefly returned to work (contract job that ended), and I'm getting desperate. My rent is due next week and I have no income coming in. Has anyone successfully reopened a claim recently? Is there a secret back door or another number I should be trying? Please help!
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Gianna Scott
I had the EXACT same problem last month!! The reopen claim link was broken for me too. So frustrating! I tried calling for 2 weeks straight with no luck. EDD's whole system is broken on purpose I swear.
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Edwards Hugo
•It's driving me crazy! Did you ever get through? What ended up working for you?
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Alfredo Lugo
I successfully reopened my claim about 3 weeks ago, but I had to use a specific method. The main website link is glitchy right now because they're updating the UI Online system (supposed to be fixed by next month). Here's what worked for me: 1. Try accessing the site between 10pm-6am when there's less traffic 2. Use Chrome in incognito mode - for some reason this worked better 3. If the regular link still doesn't work, go to your claim history page first, then look for the "Manage Existing Claim" option, and the reopen option should appear there If none of that works, unfortunately you do need to speak with someone. The regular number is nearly impossible to get through on.
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Edwards Hugo
•Thank you so much for these specific tips! I'll try the late-night access and incognito mode tonight. I never thought to try the claim history page approach either. Really appreciate the detailed help!
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Sydney Torres
hav u tried calling rite when they open? i got thru last week by calling at exactly 8:00am not 8:01 not 7:59 but right at 8. took me 4 tries but finally worked
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Edwards Hugo
•I've been trying at 8am sharp too, but no luck yet. Maybe I'll keep trying that approach. Did you call on a specific day of the week that seemed better?
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
After being in the same situation (calling 50+ times over two weeks), I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. Basically they use some kind of auto-dialing system that keeps trying until it gets through, then they call you when they have an EDD agent on the line. Total lifesaver when I needed to reopen my claim with a broken website link. Here's their site: claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The rep I spoke to said they're aware of the website issues with reopening claims and that calling is actually the recommended way right now.
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Caleb Bell
•I was skeptical about Claimyr at first but ended up using it too when I couldn't get through for my identity verification issue. It actually worked pretty well. The EDD rep told me they're fixing the reopening claim link but it won't be resolved until the system update completes in late June 2025. So calling is definitely the way to go right now.
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Danielle Campbell
try the askedd portal instead of calling!!! worked for me when I needed to reopen. click contact us on the homepage and submit a case. they got back to me in 3 days and fixed my claim.
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Rhett Bowman
•The AskEDD portal is super hit or miss right now. I submitted 2 messages through there and never heard back. Then I submitted a third one about a completely different issue and got a response within hours. Makes absolutely no sense. They're probably just cherry-picking the easy questions to answer 🙄
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Edwards Hugo
Update: I tried the late night access in incognito mode but still having the same issue with the broken link. I did find the Manage Existing Claim section, but when I click the reopen option there, it still redirects to the same error page. So frustrating! I guess I'll need to keep trying to get someone on the phone. I'll try that AskEDD portal too just in case.
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Alfredo Lugo
•Sorry that didn't work! The error page issue seems to be more widespread than I realized. One more thing to try: if you have access to a different device (like borrowing someone's computer or tablet), sometimes that works when your regular device doesn't. Something about cookies or cached data can cause the error to persist.
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Sydney Torres
they said on twitter that mobile devices work better for reopening right now. weird but try ur phone
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Edwards Hugo
•Really? I'll definitely try my phone instead then. Thanks for the tip!
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get your claim reopened yet? The broken link issue seems to be affecting tons of people based on what I'm seeing in other forums too.
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Edwards Hugo
•No luck yet with the website, but I'm going to try the Claimyr service you mentioned. At this point I'm desperate enough to try anything. I submitted something through AskEDD too but who knows when they'll respond. Thanks for checking back!
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Gianna Scott
ANOTHER OPTION: go to ur nearest EDD office in person!!! I forgot to mention this in my first reply but my cousin did this after dealing with the same broken link garbage. She said there was a line but she got her claim reopened same day. Just bring ID and any paperwork you have about your previous claim.
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Edwards Hugo
•That's actually a great idea that I hadn't considered. There's an office about 40 minutes from me. I might try that tomorrow if I can't get through on the phone. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Edwards Hugo
Final update for anyone who finds this thread later: I DID get my claim reopened! Ended up using the Claimyr service, got connected to a specialist in about 25 minutes. The EDD rep confirmed they're having major issues with the reopening link right now and manually reopened my claim over the phone. She said I should see the option to certify within 48 hours. What a relief! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.
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Alfredo Lugo
•Excellent! Glad you got it resolved. Just make sure to certify as soon as that option becomes available to avoid any further delays. And thanks for coming back to update - this will definitely help others who run into the same issue.
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