How to reach a live EDD representative (phone menu options that actually work)
I've been trying to call EDD for 2 weeks about my missing payment and it's driving me CRAZY! Every time I call, I either get a 'maximum callers reached' message or I get trapped in those annoying automated loops that never connect to a human. I'm desperate to talk to an actual person before my rent is due. Can someone who's recently gotten through please share the correct EDD number to call AND the exact prompts I need to press to reach a live representative? Thank you!!!
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Harold Oh
The main EDD customer service number is 1-800-300-5616. For best results, call right when they open at 8:00am. When you call, press 1 for English (or 2 for Spanish), then 1 for claim questions, then 2 for existing claims, then at the next prompt select 1. After that, when it asks about current claims, press 1, and finally 4 for 'all other questions.' This path has worked for me to reach someone a few times, but it's still hit-or-miss depending on call volume.
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Payton Black
•Thanks so much! I'll try this first thing tomorrow. Do you know how long the wait usually is once you get into the queue?
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Amun-Ra Azra
i tried calling over 30 times yesterday and couldnt get thru at all. this is such bs
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Summer Green
•Same here. So frustrating. I'm about to lose my apartment and can't even talk to an actual human being to explain my situation.
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Gael Robinson
After wasting WEEKS trying to get through on my own, I finally used Claimyr to connect with an EDD rep. It automatically calls EDD for you and navigates all those annoying prompts, then calls you back when it gets a rep on the line. Worked the first time for me! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km
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Edward McBride
•does that actually work? sounds too good to be true honestly
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Gael Robinson
•Yeah, it really worked for me. I was skeptical too but was desperate after calling 40+ times. Got connected with a tier 2 specialist who fixed my pending payment issue in about 15 minutes.
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Darcy Moore
The menu options change sometimes, I swear they do it on purpose to keep people from getting through. What worked for me LAST WEEK was: Call 1-800-300-5616, press 1 (English), then 2, then 4. Wait through the long message without pressing anything else. When the next menu comes up, press 1, and THEN when they ask about UI Online, press 3. That got me to a person after about 45 minutes on hold. But honestly, I think it's just random whether you get through or not. The system is DESIGNED to be frustrating. I've been dealing with EDD since my employer shut down in January and it's been nothing but problems.
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Dana Doyle
•The menu options do change occasionally, but the core path usually remains similar. For technical questions or claim status issues, it's better to call in the middle of the week (Tuesday-Thursday) rather than Monday or Friday when call volumes are highest.
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Edward McBride
i got thru last month by calling the employer line instead 866-333-4606 and they transferred me to claims dept. sometimes thats easier
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Dana Doyle
•While this can occasionally work, it's important to note that using the employer line when you're not an employer could potentially delay assistance for actual employers trying to reach EDD. The representatives may also refuse to transfer you as this practice has become more common.
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Amun-Ra Azra
try calling at exactly 8:03am. not 8 sharp when everyone else is calling. worked for me twice
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Payton Black
Update: Finally got through this morning! Called the 1-800-300-5616 number at 8:05am and used the prompts someone suggested (1, 1, 2, 1, 4). Was on hold for about 35 minutes but finally spoke to a real person who resolved my payment issue. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Harold Oh
•That's great news! Glad you were able to get through and get your issue resolved.
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Darcy Moore
•Did they explain why your payment was missing in the first place? I'm curious because I'm having a similar issue and wondering if it's the same problem.
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Beth Ford
•So happy you got through! It gives me hope that persistence actually pays off. I'm going to try the same approach tomorrow morning. Quick question - when they resolved your payment issue, did it show up in your account right away or did they say how long it would take?
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Cynthia Love
•Congratulations on getting through! I've been trying for weeks myself with no luck. Can you confirm those exact menu prompts again? I want to make sure I have them right - was it 1, 1, 2, 1, 4? And did you have to wait through any long automated messages before pressing the next number?
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TechNinja
•This is so encouraging to hear! I've been calling for over a week with no success. @Payton Black could you share any other tips that helped you get through? Like did you keep redialing if you got the busy message, or did you wait between calls? Also wondering if there s'a particular day of the week that seems to work better than others.
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Liam Cortez
•Awesome to hear you got through! I've been stuck in the same boat for the past month. Just to clarify - when you called at 8:05am, did you get through immediately or did you have to redial multiple times before getting past the "maximum callers" message? Also, did the representative mention anything about why these payment delays seem to be happening so frequently lately?
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Diego Vargas
•That's amazing! I've been struggling with this for three weeks now. @Payton Black - did you have to deal with the maximum "callers reached message" at all when you called at 8:05, or did it go straight through to the menu? I keep getting that message even when I call right at 8am. Also, was the 35 minute hold time pretty accurate, or did it feel longer? Trying to plan my morning around this tomorrow!
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
•This gives me so much hope! I've been trying for 3 weeks straight and getting nowhere. @Payton Black quick question - when you got through at 8:05am, did you have to keep hitting redial or did it connect on your first attempt? I m'wondering if calling a few minutes after 8am instead of right at 8am is the secret. Also, did the rep mention if there s'a better time of day to call if you can t'get through in the morning?
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Rachel Clark
•This is so encouraging to see! I've been calling for almost two weeks myself and was starting to lose hope. @Payton Black - when you called at 8:05am, did you get the busy signal at all or did it go straight to the menu? I m'trying to figure out if calling a few minutes after 8am instead of right at 8:00 is actually the key. Also, did the rep give you any indication of how long your payment had been stuck in the system before they fixed it?
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Henrietta Beasley
•So glad to hear you finally got through! I've been dealing with a similar situation for weeks. @Payton Black - when the rep resolved your payment issue, did they mention if this was a system-wide problem or something specific to your account? I m'wondering if there s'been a pattern of payments getting stuck lately. Also, did they give you any advice on what to do if this happens again in the future, or any way to prevent it from happening again?
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