EDD website error: Can't apply for unemployment benefits online. Help!
Hey everyone, I'm having trouble applying for unemployment benefits online. The website keeps giving me an error message saying I can't apply. Has anyone else run into this issue? Any tips on how to get around it?
35 comments


Fidel Carson
Ugh, I had the same problem last week. The EDD website is such a mess 🤦♂️ Have you tried clearing your browser cache and cookies? That worked for me after like 5 attempts.
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Ana Rusula
•Thanks for the suggestion! I'll give that a try and see if it helps.
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Isaiah Sanders
•Clearing cache didnt work for me. I had to use a different browser altogether. Try Firefox if ur using Chrome or vice versa
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Fidel Carson
•Good point! I forgot about that. Yeah, switching browsers can def make a difference. The whole system is held together with duct tape and prayers I swear 😅
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Xan Dae
I found a method to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
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Fiona Gallagher
•Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this service?
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Thais Soares
•$20 just to talk to someone? That's ridiculous. The system is so broken 😡
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Xan Dae
•I know it sounds sketchy, but I swear it worked for me. Saved me hours of frustration. Sometimes you gotta pay to play in this messed up system 🤷♂️
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Nalani Liu
•Can you give more details about how it works? Is it legit?
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Xan Dae
•Sure thing! You just go to their website, choose the EDD line you need, pay, and they start calling. When they get a real person, your phone rings. It's pretty straightforward. And yeah, it's legit - they've got reviews and everything.
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Axel Bourke
Have you tried applying during off-peak hours? Like super early in the morning or late at night? Sometimes the site works better when there's less traffic.
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Aidan Percy
Ive been dealing with this for MONTHS. its a nightmare. sometimes u just gotta keep trying over and over. eventually it'll work... maybe 🙃
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Ana Rusula
•Months?! Oh man, I hope it doesn't take that long for me. This is so frustrating.
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Aidan Percy
•Yeah its been a wild ride. But dont lose hope! Keep at it and youll get through eventually. Were all in the same sinking boat here lol
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Fernanda Marquez
Here's a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting EDD online application issues: 1. Clear your browser cache and cookies 2. Try a different browser (Firefox, Chrome, Edge, etc.) 3. Use incognito/private browsing mode 4. Disable browser extensions 5. Check your internet connection 6. Try a different device (computer, tablet, smartphone) 7. Apply during off-peak hours (early morning or late night) 8. Make sure your personal information matches exactly what's on file with EDD 9. Double-check that you're eligible for benefits 10. If all else fails, try calling EDD directly or use a calling service Remember, persistence is key. The system is overloaded, so it might take several attempts. Good luck!
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Ana Rusula
•Wow, thank you so much for this detailed guide! I'll work through these steps and hopefully one of them will do the trick.
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Norman Fraser
•This should be pinned at the top of the subreddit. So helpful! 👏👏👏
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Kendrick Webb
have u tried turning it off and on again? 🤣 jk jk... but seriously, sometimes logging out and back in can help. worth a shot!
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Hattie Carson
I heard they're updating the system soon. Might be worth waiting a few days if you can. But who knows with EDD, could make things worse lol
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Destiny Bryant
•Where did you hear about this update? I haven't seen anything official.
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Hattie Carson
•My friend who works for the state mentioned it. But take it with a grain of salt, you know how government timelines are 🙄
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Dyllan Nantx
Pro tip: if u cant apply online, try faxing ur application. Old school but sometimes it works when the website is being a pain
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TillyCombatwarrior
•What year is it, 1995? 📠😂 But for real, that's not a bad idea if all else fails.
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Anna Xian
Anyone else feel like we need a complete overhaul of the unemployment system? This is getting ridiculous. People are struggling and can't even access the help they need. 😤
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Jungleboo Soletrain
•Preach! 🙌 The whole thing is a joke. We pay into this system our whole working lives and when we need it, it's broken.
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Rajan Walker
•100% agree. We should start a petition or something. This can't keep going on.
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Sebastian Scott
I've been struggling with the same issue for weeks now! What finally worked for me was using a combination of @Fernanda Marquez's suggestions - I cleared my cache, switched to Firefox, and applied at like 5am when the site had less traffic. Also make sure you're using the exact same info that's on your driver's license/ID. Even small differences in how you write your name can cause errors. Don't give up, it's frustrating but you'll get through eventually! 💪
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Connor O'Brien
•Thanks for sharing what worked for you! That's really helpful. I'm definitely going to try the early morning approach - hadn't thought about that timing aspect. Quick question though - when you say "exact same info as your driver's license," do you mean like if my license has my middle initial but I usually don't use it, I should include it in the application? I wonder if that's been part of my problem this whole time 🤔
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Atticus Domingo
I just went through this exact same nightmare last month! What finally worked for me was doing a combination of things: 1) Used my phone's mobile browser instead of desktop (sometimes the mobile site works better), 2) Made sure I was logged out completely and cleared ALL browsing data, not just cache, 3) Applied around 6am on a Tuesday when there's less traffic, and 4) Had all my documents ready as PDFs on my phone so I could upload quickly without timing out. The key is to move fast once you get in because the session can expire. Also double-check that your SSN and personal info EXACTLY match what's in their system - even spacing matters! Hang in there, it's infuriating but you'll get through it! 🤞
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
•This is super helpful! I'm going to try the mobile browser approach - that's something I hadn't considered. Quick question: when you say "all browsing data," did you mean like saved passwords and everything, or just the cache/cookies? I'm a bit worried about losing my saved logins for other sites. Also, did you have to start completely over each time the session expired, or could you pick up where you left off? Thanks for the detailed breakdown! 🙏
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Evelyn Rivera
I just went through this exact same nightmare! What finally worked for me was a combination of several things: First, I used a completely different device (borrowed my roommate's laptop), then I tried applying at around 3am when barely anyone is on the system. The trick that really sealed it though was making sure my browser had JavaScript enabled and all pop-up blockers disabled - apparently the EDD site relies heavily on those. Also, when you get to the part where it asks for your employment history, have EVERYTHING ready beforehand because if you take too long to fill it out, it'll kick you out and you'll have to start over. I know it's beyond frustrating but keep trying different combinations of these suggestions until something clicks! The system is definitely broken but it's not impossible. You got this! 💪
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Javier Morales
•Oh wow, the JavaScript and pop-up blocker tip is genius! I never would have thought of that. I've been banging my head against the wall for days trying to get this to work. The 3am timing makes so much sense too - I bet that's when the servers are least overloaded. Did you have to disable ALL browser extensions or just the pop-up blockers? And when you borrowed your roommate's laptop, did you have to create a new account or were you able to log in with your existing info? Thanks for sharing all these details - this gives me hope that there's actually a way through this mess! 🙏
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Ava Garcia
I've been dealing with this exact same issue! After reading through all these suggestions, I finally got it to work by combining several approaches. Here's what did it for me: 1) Used my tablet instead of my computer, 2) Applied at 4:30am on a Wednesday, 3) Made sure JavaScript was enabled and disabled my ad blocker, 4) Had all my employment info written down on paper so I could fill everything out super quickly without the session timing out. The mobile approach that @Atticus Domingo mentioned was clutch - the mobile site seems way more stable than desktop. Also @Evelyn Rivera's tip about having everything ready beforehand is SO important - I literally had my last 18 months of employment history typed up in a notes app ready to copy/paste. Don't give up Ana! It took me 12 tries over 3 weeks but persistence pays off. The system is trash but it's not impossible 🙌
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Sophia Rodriguez
•This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you @Ava Garcia for breaking down your successful approach step by step. The fact that it took you 12 tries over 3 weeks but you finally got through gives me hope that I m'not going crazy here. I m'definitely going to try the tablet approach combined with the super early morning timing. The tip about having everything pre-written in a notes app is brilliant - I ve'been scrambling to find documents mid-application which probably caused timeouts. Going to give this another shot tomorrow morning around 4am with all prep work done tonight. Fingers crossed! 🤞
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Gianni Serpent
I just want to say how grateful I am for this thread! I've been lurking here feeling so alone and frustrated with this broken system, but seeing everyone share their experiences and solutions is really giving me hope. I'm going to try the combination approach that seems to be working for people - mobile device + super early morning + all documents prepped + JavaScript enabled. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to access benefits we've paid into, but I appreciate everyone taking the time to share what worked for them. Will report back once I give it another shot! 🙏
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