Hey Turn Vo
Right now it's for other states except CA at this time...
If you want a one time of $5 off your call, claimyr can reach for you 🙂 here is the link below! includes 10 for 48 hours
https://join.claimyr.com/dac556
To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this that gave me a to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
Thanks for sharing that link, Tom! For those looking for completely free options, you can also try calling at (833) 978-2511 early in the morning (around 8:01 AM) or using the "2-1-1" method where you press 2 for employers, then 1, then 1 again to get transferred to a representative. The key is persistence and timing - Monday mornings and early hours tend to have better success rates.
I've had success calling using the (800) 300-5616 number and immediately pressing 1-2-1 when the menu starts. This bypasses some of the automated options. Also, try calling right at 8:00 AM sharp - I mean have your phone ready to dial at 7:59:59 AM. The lines open exactly at 8 AM and you have the best chance in those first few minutes. If you get the "call volume too high" message, hang up and redial immediately. Sometimes it takes 20-30 attempts but it's completely free. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing that tip, Nia! The 8:00 AM sharp timing is crucial - I can confirm this works. I'd also add that if you're using a smartphone, you can actually pre-dial the number and press call right at 8:00 AM rather than trying to dial from scratch. Another thing that helped me was turning off call waiting and any other call features that might interfere. For those still having trouble, Tuesday through Thursday mornings seem to have slightly better success rates than Mondays in my experience. Keep trying - it's frustrating but persistence really does pay off with EDD!
I've found another free method that works well - call the technical support line at (833) 978-2511 and when you get through to the automated system, don't select any options right away. Just wait silently for about 30-45 seconds and the system will often transfer you to a representative automatically. This "dead air" technique bypasses the busy signal you'd normally get on the main lines. Also, if you have multiple phones available, you can dial from different numbers simultaneously to increase your chances. The system seems to handle calls differently from different phone numbers even if they're calling at the same time. Worth trying alongside the other great tips shared here!
That's a brilliant tip about the "dead air" technique, Dmitry! I hadn't heard of that one before. I'm definitely going to try the silent waiting method next time I call. The multiple phone strategy is interesting too - I wonder if using different carriers (like one cell phone and one landline) might work even better since they'd be coming from completely different network sources? Has anyone else tried the technical support line route? I'm curious if the wait times are generally shorter there compared to the main unemployment lines. Thanks for sharing this creative approach - it's always helpful to have multiple free strategies to try!
I've been having success with a combination of the methods mentioned here! What's worked best for me is calling the main line at (800) 300-5616 at exactly 8:00 AM and using the 1-2-1 sequence that Nia mentioned, but I also discovered that if you get the busy signal, try calling the disability insurance line at (800) 480-3287 and pressing 0 repeatedly - sometimes they can transfer you to unemployment services. Another completely free trick: if you have an old landline or can borrow one, those seem to have better luck getting through than cell phones. I think it has to do with how the phone system prioritizes different types of calls. The key is definitely persistence - I usually set aside 30-45 minutes in the morning and just keep redialing. Don't give up after 5-10 tries, sometimes it takes way more attempts but it's worth it to avoid paying those service fees!
This is such valuable information, Taylor! I'm new to dealing with and have been stressed about potentially having to pay for calling services. The landline tip is particularly interesting - I actually have access to an old landline through my elderly neighbor, so I might ask if I can use it to try calling. I'm curious about the disability insurance line transfer method you mentioned - does that usually work even if you're calling about regular unemployment benefits rather than disability? Also, has anyone noticed if certain days of the week work better than others? I've seen some people mention avoiding Mondays, but I'd love to hear more experiences. Thanks to everyone sharing these free methods - it gives me hope that I can reach them without breaking the bank!
I've been following this thread and wanted to share a few additional free methods that have worked for me and others in my area. First, try calling the employer line at (888) 745-3886 and pressing 0 repeatedly - sometimes they'll transfer you to the regular unemployment department. Second, I discovered that calling exactly 15 minutes after the hour (like 8:15 AM, 9:15 AM, etc.) can sometimes catch a brief window when lines are less busy as people tend to call right on the hour. Also, if you have access to a work phone or business line, those sometimes get prioritized differently in the phone system. One last tip - download a call timer app and keep track of which methods and times work best for you personally, since everyone's experience can vary slightly. The most important thing is to keep trying these free methods rather than paying for services. It might take patience, but it's definitely possible to get through without spending money!
Wow, thank you so much Liam for these additional tips! As someone who's been struggling to get through to for weeks, this thread has been incredibly helpful. I never would have thought about calling 15 minutes after the hour - that's such a smart observation about people calling right on the hour. I'm definitely going to try the employer line method you mentioned. I'm curious though - when you call the employer line and press 0 repeatedly, do you need to have any specific information ready in case they ask why you're calling that line? I want to be prepared so I don't waste the opportunity if I actually get through to someone. Also, has anyone had success with calling later in the day, like after 2 PM, or is morning really the only viable time? I appreciate everyone sharing these free alternatives - it's such a relief to know there are options that don't involve paying those expensive calling services!
Elizabeth Pinedo
Hey Turn Vo Right now it's for other states except CA at this time... If you want a one time of $5 off your call, claimyr can reach for you 🙂 here is the link below! includes 10 for 48 hours https://join.claimyr.com/dac556
2 coins
Turn Vo
•It is still trying to charge me 19.9@
1 coin
Elizabeth Pinedo
•Is this your first time using it? It only works for first time user or per phone number
1 coin
Tom Maxon
To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this that gave me a to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
0 coins
Eli Wang
Thanks for sharing that link, Tom! For those looking for completely free options, you can also try calling at (833) 978-2511 early in the morning (around 8:01 AM) or using the "2-1-1" method where you press 2 for employers, then 1, then 1 again to get transferred to a representative. The key is persistence and timing - Monday mornings and early hours tend to have better success rates.
0 coins
Nia Wilson
I've had success calling using the (800) 300-5616 number and immediately pressing 1-2-1 when the menu starts. This bypasses some of the automated options. Also, try calling right at 8:00 AM sharp - I mean have your phone ready to dial at 7:59:59 AM. The lines open exactly at 8 AM and you have the best chance in those first few minutes. If you get the "call volume too high" message, hang up and redial immediately. Sometimes it takes 20-30 attempts but it's completely free. Good luck!
0 coins
Dmitry Petrov
•Thanks for sharing that tip, Nia! The 8:00 AM sharp timing is crucial - I can confirm this works. I'd also add that if you're using a smartphone, you can actually pre-dial the number and press call right at 8:00 AM rather than trying to dial from scratch. Another thing that helped me was turning off call waiting and any other call features that might interfere. For those still having trouble, Tuesday through Thursday mornings seem to have slightly better success rates than Mondays in my experience. Keep trying - it's frustrating but persistence really does pay off with EDD!
0 coins
Dmitry Smirnov
I've found another free method that works well - call the technical support line at (833) 978-2511 and when you get through to the automated system, don't select any options right away. Just wait silently for about 30-45 seconds and the system will often transfer you to a representative automatically. This "dead air" technique bypasses the busy signal you'd normally get on the main lines. Also, if you have multiple phones available, you can dial from different numbers simultaneously to increase your chances. The system seems to handle calls differently from different phone numbers even if they're calling at the same time. Worth trying alongside the other great tips shared here!
0 coins
Ava Johnson
•That's a brilliant tip about the "dead air" technique, Dmitry! I hadn't heard of that one before. I'm definitely going to try the silent waiting method next time I call. The multiple phone strategy is interesting too - I wonder if using different carriers (like one cell phone and one landline) might work even better since they'd be coming from completely different network sources? Has anyone else tried the technical support line route? I'm curious if the wait times are generally shorter there compared to the main unemployment lines. Thanks for sharing this creative approach - it's always helpful to have multiple free strategies to try!
0 coins
Taylor Chen
I've been having success with a combination of the methods mentioned here! What's worked best for me is calling the main line at (800) 300-5616 at exactly 8:00 AM and using the 1-2-1 sequence that Nia mentioned, but I also discovered that if you get the busy signal, try calling the disability insurance line at (800) 480-3287 and pressing 0 repeatedly - sometimes they can transfer you to unemployment services. Another completely free trick: if you have an old landline or can borrow one, those seem to have better luck getting through than cell phones. I think it has to do with how the phone system prioritizes different types of calls. The key is definitely persistence - I usually set aside 30-45 minutes in the morning and just keep redialing. Don't give up after 5-10 tries, sometimes it takes way more attempts but it's worth it to avoid paying those service fees!
0 coins
CosmicCommander
•This is such valuable information, Taylor! I'm new to dealing with and have been stressed about potentially having to pay for calling services. The landline tip is particularly interesting - I actually have access to an old landline through my elderly neighbor, so I might ask if I can use it to try calling. I'm curious about the disability insurance line transfer method you mentioned - does that usually work even if you're calling about regular unemployment benefits rather than disability? Also, has anyone noticed if certain days of the week work better than others? I've seen some people mention avoiding Mondays, but I'd love to hear more experiences. Thanks to everyone sharing these free methods - it gives me hope that I can reach them without breaking the bank!
0 coins
Liam McConnell
I've been following this thread and wanted to share a few additional free methods that have worked for me and others in my area. First, try calling the employer line at (888) 745-3886 and pressing 0 repeatedly - sometimes they'll transfer you to the regular unemployment department. Second, I discovered that calling exactly 15 minutes after the hour (like 8:15 AM, 9:15 AM, etc.) can sometimes catch a brief window when lines are less busy as people tend to call right on the hour. Also, if you have access to a work phone or business line, those sometimes get prioritized differently in the phone system. One last tip - download a call timer app and keep track of which methods and times work best for you personally, since everyone's experience can vary slightly. The most important thing is to keep trying these free methods rather than paying for services. It might take patience, but it's definitely possible to get through without spending money!
0 coins
Jacob Smithson
•Wow, thank you so much Liam for these additional tips! As someone who's been struggling to get through to for weeks, this thread has been incredibly helpful. I never would have thought about calling 15 minutes after the hour - that's such a smart observation about people calling right on the hour. I'm definitely going to try the employer line method you mentioned. I'm curious though - when you call the employer line and press 0 repeatedly, do you need to have any specific information ready in case they ask why you're calling that line? I want to be prepared so I don't waste the opportunity if I actually get through to someone. Also, has anyone had success with calling later in the day, like after 2 PM, or is morning really the only viable time? I appreciate everyone sharing these free alternatives - it's such a relief to know there are options that don't involve paying those expensive calling services!
0 coins