Impossible to reach EDD by phone - tricks that actually work?

Try calling the technical support line instead of the main number. Sometimes they can transfer you to a claim specialist. Their number is 1-855-327-7057. I was able to get through after only 25 mins of waiting last week.

you gotta call at EXACTLY 8:01am not 8 not 8:03 but 8:01 thats when i got thru

After months of struggling to reach EDD by phone, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it changed everything. Their service calls EDD for you and when they reach an agent, they connect you directly. Saved me days of endless redials. They have a video demo that shows exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km I was skeptical at first, but it worked for me when nothing else did. My identity verification issue got resolved in a single call after I finally spoke with someone.

NOBODY at EDD cares about us. I spent 3 weeks calling 20+ times daily and when I finally got through, they transferred me twice and then I got disconnected. The whole system is designed to make people give up on getting benefits they deserve. It's absolutely criminal how they treat people who are already struggling!!!!!

I worked for EDD briefly during the pandemic surge and can give you some insider tips: 1. The best times to call are Tuesday-Thursday between 1-3pm when lunch rush is over but before end-of-day volume increases 2. When you get the automated system, choose the option for "employer questions" - these queues are often shorter and many reps can actually help with claimant issues too 3. Have your claim number, last 4 of SSN, and detailed notes on your issue ready 4. If your issue is ID verification specifically, mention "ID.me verification escalation" - there's a special team that handles these 5. Be polite but assertive - ask for a ticket number for your case Hope this helps someone!

haha good luck i gave up after 2 months and just got a job at target instead. edd is a joke.

UPDATE: I tried the Claimyr service that someone recommended here and IT WORKED!! Got connected to an agent in about 40 minutes. The agent explained that my ID verification had a mismatch with my driver's license (I got married last year and my name changed). She fixed it right on the call and said my payments should process within 48 hours! For anyone else struggling, I highly recommend trying this route if you're desperate like I was. Worth every penny to finally get this resolved.

For anyone still having trouble reaching EDD, I recommend submitting a request through your state assembly member's office. They have dedicated EDD liaisons who can often resolve issues faster than trying to call. Google "[your county] assembly member" to find yours. I had my issue resolved within 10 days after struggling for over a month on my own. This works particularly well for identity verification issues and claims stuck in pending status. They'll ask you to complete a privacy release form, and then they can advocate on your behalf with EDD.

i tried calling yesterday at 2:33pm and actually got through after only 3 attempts! maybe they hired more people finally?? the lady was super nice and fixed my payment issue in like 5 minutes. don't give up!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share another strategy that worked for me after weeks of frustration. I used the EDD's "Contact EDD" online form (not the general inquiry one, but the specific form for claim issues) and marked it as "urgent - financial hardship." While it says they respond within 5-7 business days, I actually got a callback within 3 days from a tier 2 specialist. The key is being very specific about your issue and including your claim number, the exact error messages you're seeing, and dates of when you've tried to call. I also mentioned that I was facing eviction (which was true) and needed immediate assistance. Sometimes the online route can be faster than the phone marathon, especially for complex issues like ID verification that might need a specialist anyway. Worth trying if you're still stuck!

I've been dealing with EDD phone hell for the past month myself, so I really feel for everyone sharing their struggles here. What finally worked for me was a combination of strategies from this thread: 1. I used the tech support number (1-855-327-7057) that @Liam mentioned - got through in about 35 minutes 2. Called on a Wednesday at 1:15pm following @Sofia's insider timing advice 3. Had all my documents ready and specifically mentioned "ID.me verification issue requiring escalation" The rep was actually really helpful and explained that there's been a huge backlog in their ID verification department due to new security measures. She was able to see that my case had been sitting in a queue for 3 weeks without anyone looking at it! For anyone still struggling - don't give up. The system is broken but there are real people trying to help once you can reach them. Also keeping a call log with times/dates helped me when I finally got through - the agent appreciated having specific details about how long I'd been trying. Sending good vibes to everyone still fighting this battle! 💪