EDD/BenefitsCal access blocked from overseas - VPN not working anymore

same issue here in mexico!! edd blocks most vpns now. they got smarter with security or something

EDD has significantly enhanced their security protocols in 2025, especially for BenefitsCal access. This is primarily to prevent fraud. Most commercial VPNs are now blocked because their IP ranges are easily identified. What you need is a residential IP VPN service instead of a commercial one. NordVPN has a feature called "residential IP" that sometimes works, or you could try using a SmartDNS service which masks your location differently than traditional VPNs. Another option is having a trusted family member in California handle your certification, though this requires sharing your login credentials which isn't ideal from a security perspective.

They blocked my access when I was in Europe last month! Called EDD when I got back and the rep said informally that they don't care if ur traveling as long as ur still job searching and available for work IN CALIFORNIA. But their system automatically flags foreign IPs as potential fraud. Such a headache!!!

This is a common issue with EDD's updated security measures. According to official policy, you must be physically present in California and available for work to receive benefits. However, there's no explicit prohibition against brief travel if you remain available for California-based work. That said, their system is designed to block foreign IP addresses. For a technical solution: I've had clients successfully use ExpressVPN with their "obfuscated servers" feature which disguises VPN traffic as regular traffic. Another option is setting up a personal VPN on a friend's home network in California using something like Tailscale or Wireguard. This gives you a legitimate California residential IP. Important: Never misrepresent your ability to accept work during certification. If you're truly available for California work while traveling, indicate that truthfully.

OMG BE CAREFUL WITH VPNS!!! My cousin got her benefits SUSPENDED for 6 weeks because EDD flagged her account for "suspicious login activity" when she was using a VPN from Canada! They made her go through this whole identity reverification process and it was a NIGHTMARE. She had to do a video interview with an eligibility specialist and everything! Just a warning that even if you get in with a VPN they might flag your account later.

She did get them back eventually but it took like 6 weeks and SO MANY phone calls. They didn't make her repay anything because she proved she was legitimately eligible, just accessing from abroad. But the stress wasn't worth it!

i ended up using my cousins internet in san diego through teamviewer... like i remotely controlled his computer to do my certification. weird solution but it worked lol

One more technical solution to consider: Some users have reported success with ShadowsockR or V2Ray protocols which are specifically designed to bypass deep packet inspection. These tools disguise VPN traffic better than traditional VPNs. There are also services like Mysterium Network that let you use residential IPs. Just be aware that EDD's systems are constantly evolving, so what works today might not work tomorrow. As a last resort, you could potentially use a mail forwarding service with general delivery to maintain a California presence for mail communication while addressing your situation with EDD directly.

UPDATE: I wanted to let everyone know what worked for me! I ended up using Claimyr to get through to an EDD representative (took about 25 minutes instead of the hours I was expecting). The rep was actually understanding about my situation. She asked about my work search activities and confirmed I was still looking for California-based remote work. She put a note on my account allowing foreign access for 90 days, but warned me that I need to be genuinely available for work. For anyone facing this issue - explaining your situation directly to EDD was way better than trying to circumvent their security. They can make accommodations for legitimate situations, but you need to be honest and actually talk to someone. Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

This is such valuable information! I'm planning to visit family in Japan next month and was worried about this exact scenario. @GalaxyGlider thanks for sharing your successful resolution - it's reassuring to know that EDD can be reasonable when you're upfront about legitimate travel. The Claimyr service sounds like it's worth the investment to avoid the stress of blocked access. Did they ask for any documentation about your family emergency or travel plans when you spoke with them?

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still dealing with this. I'm a digital nomad who's been collecting CA unemployment while traveling (legitimately - I'm still available for remote work in CA). After trying multiple VPNs that all got blocked, I found that Surfshark's "NoBorders" mode worked for about 2 weeks before EDD caught on. But honestly, after reading everyone's experiences here, I think calling EDD directly is the way to go. The temporary workarounds aren't worth the risk of getting your account flagged. @GalaxyGlider your update gives me hope that they're reasonable about legitimate travel situations. Planning to call them before my next trip to get ahead of any issues.