Frustrated with EDD phone lines - Can I visit an office in person instead?

EDD offices are called America's Job Centers of California (AJCC), but most services are by appointment only now. Walk-ins are very limited and you might wait all day without being seen. I visited the Indio office last month and it was packed with people in the same situation. Before going in person, have you tried contacting them through UI Online? There's a 'Contact Us' section where you can send a message about your specific claim issue. They usually respond within 5-7 days in my experience.

i went to the one in san bernardino last yr it was a WASTE OF TIME!!!! they just gave me flyers and told me to call the same number i was already trying lol

I was in your exact situation in January. The AJCC offices can help with general unemployment services but they often can't access or fix specific claim issues - those have to be handled by the UI specialists who work at the call center. What worked for me was using Claimyr to get through to an EDD representative. Their system helps you skip the call queue. It actually works - I was connected to EDD within 25 minutes after weeks of trying on my own. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Once I got through, the representative was able to fix my pending payments issue right away. Worth checking out if you're desperate.

AJCC locations aren't fully staffed with EDD claim specialists anymore. They mostly help with job search and resume stuff. I think they can sometimes help with simple UI Online account access issues but not with actual claim problems like eligibility or payments. Anyway in Riverside County there's one in Indio and one in Hemet I think. Look up "AJCC Riverside County" for the addresses. Bring ID and all your claim paperwork but seriously don't get your hopes up that they'll fix anything.

Try contacting your state assembly member or state senator's office! They have caseworkers who can submit an inquiry to EDD on your behalf. That's how I finally got my claim unstuck after 8 weeks of pending. Google "find my california representative" to see who represents your area.

I actually used Claimyr a few weeks ago after seeing it recommended here. It did work for getting through to an EDD rep - took about 30 minutes instead of never lol. The rep was able to see that my claim had an eligibility interview flag that was holding up payment. She couldn't remove it, but at least I knew what was happening. The assembly member suggestion is good too. Different strategies work for different claim issues.

One more thing - before you go to an AJCC office or use any service, make sure you're clear on exactly what issue you need help with. Is your claim pending? Is it disqualified? Are you trying to file a new claim? Each problem has different solutions. For a pending claim that's been stuck for 6+ weeks, that usually means either: 1. An eligibility interview is needed (you'd see this scheduled in UI Online) 2. Identity verification issue (check for any messages about ID.me) 3. Wage verification problem 4. Former employer contested your claim Knowing the specific issue will help you explain it better to whoever you reach.

I just went thru this nightmare scenario. After months of trying I finally got my claim fixed. What worked for me: 1. Called exactly at 8:01am (not 8:00 - the system is still booting up) 2. Used the 2511 number NOT the 5616 number 3. Press 1, then wait for all prompts, then press 24 TOOK ME 14 TRIES over 3 days but I finally got thru. Then had to wait 2.5 hrs on hold but the rep fixed my pending payments in 10 minutes once I got someone. Don't waste time going to AJCC unless you've completely exhausted phone and assembly member options.