I can't get through to EDD no matter what I try - 6 days straight calling

It's insane that this is how they expect people to get help. I'm spending 8 hours a day just redialing the same number.

Try calling right at 7:55am before they officially open. Sometimes you can get in the queue early.

That's horrible! So even if I somehow get on hold, there's a 50% chance it'll just disconnect?

Exactly. I've had calls drop after 2+ hours on hold multiple times. It's soul crushing.

What's Claimyr? Is that some kind of calling service?

Yeah, it's claimyr.com - they basically call EDD for you automatically and then connect you when they reach an agent. Costs money but honestly saved my sanity.

I was skeptical about paying for something like that but after 50+ failed attempts, I tried it too. Worth every penny.

Are you serious? The whole call center shuts down for lunch? No wonder I couldn't get through yesterday afternoon!

Dead serious. They don't advertise this but it's 100% true. Save yourself the frustration and don't call during lunch.

This explains so much! I was wondering why I got nothing but busy signals between 12-1pm every day.

Good to know! I've been calling Monday mornings thinking I'd beat the rush but sounds like that's actually the worst time.

Friday afternoons are pointless too. Even if you get through, you won't get your issue resolved until the following week.

Never thought of that! Every second counts when you're making this many attempts.

Exactly. Also both the 833-978-7653 and 800-300-5616 numbers go to the same place, so don't bother switching between them.

847 calls?! That's dedication but also terrifying that the success rate is that low.

The math is brutal. Even when everything goes right, you're looking at 1.5-2 hours minimum from start to finish.

This is exactly why I switched to using an auto-dialer service. The manual approach is just not sustainable.

Thanks for clarifying! I saw some old posts about different numbers but wasn't sure if they still worked.

All those old tricks from 2020-2021 are outdated now. The system changed after the pandemic ended.

I didn't even think about that! I should check my usage - I've been calling nonstop for days.

Use WiFi calling if you can. At least then you're not eating up your cellular minutes.

This is another reason why paying for a callback service makes sense. You're probably spending more on phone overage charges anyway.

That gives me hope! What was different about that Wednesday? Just lucky timing?

I think Wednesday afternoons really are the sweet spot. Also I started pressing the menu buttons faster like someone else mentioned.

67 attempts in one day... that's basically a full-time job just to make one phone call!

40 minutes vs what I'm going through now... that's a no-brainer. How much does it cost?

I think it was like $20 something. Considering I was about to lose a day of work to keep calling, it paid for itself immediately.

Same experience here. Went from spending entire days calling to getting callbacks during my lunch break.

Good to know! I was planning to try calling after work today but sounds like that's a waste of time.

Yeah, stick to morning and early afternoon. Late day calling is basically guaranteed failure.

That's exactly what's been so frustrating - I keep thinking 'this next call will be the one' but it never is.

I went through the same cycle. Eventually realized my time was worth more than the cost of getting help with the calling.

This is why the callback services exist. They're filling a real need that EDD created with their broken phone system.

156 calls in one day... this is insane that we have to go through this just to get help with our own benefits.

Right? I have a college degree and I'm spending my entire day redialing the same number like it's my job.

At some point you have to cut your losses and find another way. I wish I'd done that sooner instead of wasting weeks of my life.

Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes when you're desperate you start thinking maybe they answer after hours.

Nope, strictly business hours only. And remember that lunch break from 12-1:30 when nobody answers.