Impossible to reach EDD on the phone - what exact time and tricks work in 2025?

Calling EDD is basically impossible these days. I tried for TWO MONTHS straight and only got through ONCE when I called at exactly 8:01am on a Tuesday. The system is completely broken since they updated everything in January. Good luck!!

There's actually a specific pattern that works better than others. Call at 8:12am exactly (not 8:00 when everyone calls), then when the automated system asks what you need, press 1, then 2, then 4, then wait for the next menu and press 3. This routes you to the disability claims department which typically has shorter wait times. Even if that's not your specific issue, the rep can usually transfer you to the right department once you're in the system. Also, Thursdays tend to have lower call volume than Mondays or Fridays in my experience. I worked for EDD for 12 years and these patterns haven't changed much over time.

i got thru yesterday just keep calling hang up if u hear the we're experiencing high call volume message and try again. took me like 25 tries but eventually it worked

After spending weeks trying to reach EDD through the regular line, I finally had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that basically calls EDD for you and then connects you once they get through to a representative. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km I was skeptical at first, but when I had that same issue with a disability conversion claim that needed urgent attention, it was literally the only way I could get through. The rep I spoke with was able to fix my claim status right away once I explained my situation.

The EDD phone system is DELIBERATELY DESIGNED to prevent people from getting benefits they're entitled to!!! I've been dealing with this corrupt system for years and it's all part of their plan to deny claims. They WANT you to give up calling so they don't have to pay you!!! The whole system is rigged against working people and especially those with medical conditions. TRUST ME, even if you get through, they'll just transfer you 5-6 times until someone eventually hangs up on you. I've documented EVERY CALL for my lawsuit against them!

A few important tips about calling EDD in 2025: 1. Mondays and Tuesdays have the highest call volume (avoid these days if possible) 2. Call between 8:30-8:45am or 4:15-4:30pm (slightly better chances) 3. When the system asks for your SSN, enter it SLOWLY with pauses between digits 4. If it's about a disability conversion claim specifically, you need to select option 2 at the main menu, then 1, then 2 again 5. Have your claim ID number ready, not just your SSN The wait times increased dramatically after the March system update. Unfortunately, there's no magic solution, but these approaches slightly improve your odds.

I had the same problem last month with my claim! The phone thing is impossible. Have you tried going to an actual EDD office in person? I went to the one in Oakland and even though I had to wait 3 hours, I actually got to talk to someone who fixed my issue on the spot. Just bring ALL your paperwork and documentation with you if you go this route.

For what it's worth, I've found that for disability conversion claims specifically, you can also try emailing them through your UI Online account. Go to Contact EDD > Question Category > Change in Claim Type. It's slower than calling, but I've usually gotten responses within 5-7 business days. Make sure your email is very specific about your medical situation, includes your claim ID, the date your regular UI ended, and any medical certification numbers you have. The more specific details you provide, the more likely you'll get a helpful response rather than a generic one.

I tried that Claimyr service somebody mentioned and IT ACTUALLY WORKED. Got connected to a rep in about 20 minutes. Just wanted to update since I was skeptical too. The rep was able to see my disability paperwork had been received but not processed yet. She expedited it and said I should see payment in 3-5 days. HUGE relief after weeks of stress!

I'm in a similar situation with my disability conversion claim! Been trying to call for over a week now with the same "high call volume" message every time. Reading through these comments, I think I'm going to try the Claimyr service that a few people mentioned - especially after seeing Mei's update that it actually worked for her. Has anyone else had success with the specific button sequence Andre mentioned (2-1-2 for disability conversion)? I want to make sure I'm navigating to the right department if I do manage to get through. Also considering the in-person visit to an EDD office as a backup plan since Jamal had success that way. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - this community is a lifesaver when dealing with EDD's impossible phone system!

I've been dealing with EDD phone issues for months and finally found a strategy that works consistently. Here's what I do: 1. Set multiple alarms for 8:00, 8:12, and 8:30am 2. Use the redial function on my phone instead of hanging up and redialing manually - this saves about 10-15 seconds each attempt 3. Keep a tally sheet to track attempts (helps me stay motivated and see progress) 4. For disability conversion claims specifically, I've had the best luck calling on Wednesdays around 8:45am The key is persistence but also being strategic about timing. I usually get through within 45-60 attempts when I follow this routine. It's exhausting but way better than the random approach I was using before. Also, if you're dealing with rent deadlines like Ethan, consider reaching out to your landlord to explain the EDD situation - many are understanding about government benefit delays right now since it's such a common issue.

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to reach EDD for 2 weeks about my pending claim and getting nowhere. After reading all these suggestions, I'm planning to try a combination approach: 1. Going to use Fatima's strategy with the multiple alarms and redial function - the tally sheet idea is brilliant for staying motivated 2. Will try Andre's 2-1-2 button sequence since my issue is also disability-related 3. If phone calls fail by Friday, I'm driving to the nearest EDD office in person like Jamal suggested The Claimyr service sounds promising too based on Mei's success story, though I'm still a bit hesitant about third-party services. Has anyone else tried it recently? One thing I wanted to add - for those dealing with financial pressure while waiting, some local food banks and emergency assistance programs specifically help people stuck in EDD limbo. I found this out through my county's 211 helpline. It's not a solution to the main problem but can help bridge the gap while fighting to get through to EDD. This thread has been more helpful than hours of googling. Thank you everyone for sharing your real experiences!

I've been struggling with the exact same issue trying to convert my regular UI to disability benefits! After reading through all these responses, I wanted to share what finally worked for me this week. I combined several of the strategies mentioned here: - Used Fatima's timing approach (called Wednesday at 8:45am) - Followed Andre's 2-1-2 button sequence for disability conversion - Kept track of attempts on paper like suggested (took 32 tries over 2 days) - Used the redial function instead of hanging up completely each time The key breakthrough was when I realized that even after getting the "high call volume" message, sometimes if you stay on the line for an extra 30-45 seconds instead of immediately hanging up, it occasionally connects you anyway. This happened to me on attempt #28 - I was about to hang up when suddenly I heard hold music! The rep I finally reached was incredibly helpful and processed my disability conversion on the spot. She explained that many people give up too quickly when they hear the busy message, but the system sometimes has brief openings if you wait a bit longer. For anyone still trying: don't lose hope! The combination of strategic timing, persistence, and the right menu navigation really does work. My benefits were restored within 48 hours of that call. Hang in there - you WILL get through eventually!

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who's been battling EDD phone issues for the past month! Reading through all these strategies has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea there were so many specific techniques that actually work. I'm particularly interested in trying Nina's tip about staying on the line for 30-45 seconds after the "high call volume" message instead of hanging up immediately. That's such a smart observation that the system might have brief openings that people miss by disconnecting too quickly. My situation is similar to many here - my regular UI benefits ended and I need to convert to disability, but I've been stuck in phone hell for weeks. I've been calling randomly without any real strategy, so I'm going to try combining several approaches mentioned here: 1. Fatima's Wednesday 8:45am timing strategy with the redial function 2. Andre's 2-1-2 button sequence for disability conversion claims 3. Nina's technique of waiting on the line after the busy message 4. Keeping a tally sheet to stay motivated through multiple attempts Has anyone noticed if certain weeks of the month tend to have better success rates? I'm wondering if calling right after people receive their benefit payments (typically mid-month) might result in lower call volume. Thank you everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this thread is gold for anyone dealing with EDD's impossible phone system!

I've been dealing with EDD phone issues for months and wanted to share a strategy that's been working consistently for me lately. After trying many of the approaches mentioned here, I found that calling at exactly 2:47pm on weekdays actually has better success rates than the morning rush everyone talks about. Here's my theory: most people give up calling by mid-afternoon, but that's when EDD reps are coming back from lunch breaks and clearing their queues. I've gotten through 4 times in the past 2 weeks using this timing, compared to zero success with morning calls. My exact process: 1. Call at 2:47pm (not 2:45 or 2:50 - the exact timing seems to matter) 2. Use the 2-1-2 sequence for disability claims that Andre mentioned 3. If I get the busy message, I wait exactly 60 seconds before hanging up (longer than Nina's 30-45 second suggestion) 4. Redial immediately and repeat The afternoon approach combined with Nina's "wait on the line" tip has been game-changing. Yesterday I got through on my 8th attempt and the rep processed my disability conversion in 15 minutes. Sometimes thinking outside the box with timing can make all the difference!