How long to reach EDD rep in 2025? Need to file first claim
After 7 years at my marketing job, I got laid off last week due to company downsizing. I need to file for unemployment but I'm hearing horror stories about how hard it is to reach a live person at EDD these days. Back in 2019 before COVID, I remember it being pretty straightforward to get a representative on the phone. Has the situation improved at all or is it still a nightmare? I've heard some people saying they call 50+ times without getting through. Just trying to prepare myself mentally for what to expect. Anyone filed recently who can share their experience with wait times or best times to call? I'm particularly worried because my situation is a bit complicated (I had some freelance income last year alongside my full-time job).
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Diego Vargas
omg it's STILL awful. i filed 3 weeks ago and haven't been able to reach anyone. keep getting that stupid 'we're experiencing high call volume' message and then it hangs up!!! tried morning, afternoon, evening... doesn't matter. EDD phone system is completely broken. good luck, you'll need it lol
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Chloe Harris
•That's so discouraging. I was hoping things had improved since the pandemic chaos. Ughhh, I really need to talk to someone because of my freelance situation. Do you think it's worth going to an in-person EDD office instead?
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NeonNinja
The call situation has improved somewhat since the pandemic peak, but it's still challenging. For best results, call precisely at 8:01am when they open, or try between 1-2pm when call volume sometimes dips. If you have a complicated situation with freelance income, you definitely need to speak with a tier 2 specialist. Be prepared to explain that you need a claims specialist specifically for mixed income questions. The regular representatives won't be able to help with that. Make sure you have all your income documents ready before calling - W2 from your employer and 1099 forms from freelance work. They'll need exact amounts to determine your benefit calculation correctly.
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Chloe Harris
•Thank you so much for the specific advice! I'll definitely try calling right at 8:01am tomorrow. I do have all my tax documents ready to go. One quick follow-up question - when filing online, should I mention the freelance income right away or wait until I can speak with a specialist about it?
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NeonNinja
•Yes, you should absolutely report ALL income during the application process, including your freelance work. Be 100% transparent. The specialist will help determine how it affects your benefit amount, but not disclosing it upfront could lead to an overpayment situation later, which is a huge headache to resolve. The online system will ask about self-employment - just answer honestly and then get clarification from the specialist about how it impacts your claim.
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Anastasia Popov
after being laid off in January i spent TWO WEEKS trying to reach someone at edd... literally called hundreds of times!! then i found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD rep in under 20 minutes. saved my sanity!! check out their demo video here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km or go to claimyr.com - seriously worth it for complicated situations like yours with the freelance income
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Sean Murphy
•is that legit? sounds kinda sketchy to pay someone just to make a phone call for you...
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Anastasia Popov
•It doesn't make the call for you - it basically holds your place in line and then calls you when it's about to connect with EDD. You still talk directly to EDD yourself. For me it was totally worth it after wasting days trying to get through on my own. Just sharing what worked for me!
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Chloe Harris
•Thanks for the suggestion! I just watched the demo video and it looks interesting. If I can't get through after a few days of trying the regular way, I might give this a shot. My freelance situation is complicated enough that I really do need to speak with someone.
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Zara Khan
The wait times realy depend on WHEN you call!!! I filed last month and got thru on my 3rd try but only becuz I called at exactly 8:00am. But then I had to wait on hold for 1hr 45min so bring a phone charger lol. Also don't press the wrong options or you'll get transfered to the wrong dept and have to start ALL OVER AGAIN trust me I learned the hard way
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Chloe Harris
•What options did you select in the phone menu? I want to make sure I get to the right department on my first try.
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Luca Ferrari
The current EDD phone situation is more manageable than during COVID but still challenging. Average wait times are running about 45-60 minutes if you get through. The key is persistence. Regarding your freelance income: This creates what's called a "combined wage claim" situation. You'll need to specifically request a claims specialist who handles mixed income cases. Your benefit amount will be primarily calculated from your W-2 employment, but your freelance income will be evaluated for potential impact on your weekly certifications. When you file online, there will be a section asking about self-employment. Be completely transparent here, as misreporting can result in overpayment notices later. The online system will likely flag your application for review due to the mixed income sources, which is why speaking with a specialist is crucial. For the phone system, use these exact menu options for fastest results: - Press 1 for English - Press 1 for claim questions - Press 2 for filing a new claim - Then press 4 for claim filing questions This routing should get you to the correct department.
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Chloe Harris
•Thank you for such detailed guidance! I didn't realize my situation would be considered a "combined wage claim" - that's helpful terminology to know when I speak with them. I'll follow those exact menu options and make sure to be completely transparent about the freelance income on my application.
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Nia Davis
EDD IS THE WORST!! Been dealing with them since February and still having problems!!!! They say one thing on the phone and then do another. Make sure you write down EVERYTHING - the rep's name, ID number, what they told you, date and time. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING or they will screw you over!!!! The whole system is designed to make you give up!!!!
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Diego Vargas
•^^^^^ THIS! I thought I was the only one who felt that way. It's like they WANT us to fail!
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Chloe Harris
•Yikes, that's concerning. I'll definitely keep detailed notes of every conversation. Thanks for the warning!
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NeonNinja
One more important tip: If you're calling repeatedly and can't get through, do NOT keep calling the same number back-to-back. The EDD system will flag your number as a spam caller and actually decrease your chances of getting through. Wait 5-10 minutes between attempts. Also, when asked about the reason for your call, clearly state "I need assistance with filing a new claim with mixed income sources" - this helps route you to an appropriate specialist.
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Chloe Harris
•That's a really helpful tip about not calling back-to-back - I would have definitely been doing that! I'll space out my calls and use that exact phrasing. Thank you!
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Diego Vargas
has anyone else noticed the EDD website is actualy easier to use now than calling? i got halfway through my claim online before needing to talk to someone... maybe try that first? just click the "UI Online" button on their website
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Chloe Harris
•I'm definitely planning to start the process online, but from what everyone's saying I'll inevitably need to speak with someone because of my freelance income situation. But good to hear the website is working better these days!
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Luca Ferrari
Update on wait times based on recent data: The EDD has implemented some staffing improvements in Q1 2025. Current statistics show: - Average wait time if you get through: 37 minutes - Average attempts needed to connect: 8-12 calls - Best time to call: 8:00-8:30am or 1:15-2:00pm - Worst time to call: 10:00-11:30am and 3:30-4:30pm If your freelance income was minimal (less than 10% of your total income), it may not significantly impact your claim processing. However, if it was substantial, prepare for additional verification steps. Also important: When certifying for benefits after your claim is approved, be sure to accurately report any ongoing freelance work. Even small amounts must be reported during the certification process.
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Chloe Harris
•This is incredibly helpful information, thank you! My freelance income was about 20% of my total income last year, so it sounds like I should definitely prepare for those additional verification steps. I'll make my first attempt tomorrow at 8:01am sharp.
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