Is EDD actually hiring right now? Desperate for work after benefits exhausted

Yes, EDD is legitimately hiring right now! They typically have hiring waves when their workload increases or when they have high turnover. I was hired as an EPR during the pandemic surge and still work there. The hiring process is lengthy (typical government process) - took me about 3 months from application to start date. They don't necessarily prioritize people who've been on UI, but your experience as a claimant gives you perspective that can be helpful during the interview. The pay is accurate and benefits are good. With your accounting background, you might actually qualify for higher positions like Tax Auditor or Accountant positions rather than just EPR. Check CalCareers for all their openings: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/

my cousins gf works for edd. got hired last year. she said it took FOREVER but worth it for the state benefits. dunno about the pay but she seems happy there

I applied to EDD back in January and I'm STILL waiting to hear back!!! Been stuck in some background check limbo for months. They sent me an email saying I was qualified and passed the exam, then nothing for 6 weeks. Then a request for more documents, then nothing again. It's ridiculous that the agency responsible for helping unemployed people is THIS disorganized about hiring. If you're desperate for work fast, this is probably not your best option.

i saw those job postings too! applied to 3 different positions there last month. did you have to take that weird assessment test? i didn't score high enough i guess cuz they never called me back :

If you're running out of UI benefits and need income while waiting for potential EDD employment, make sure you've explored all options for benefit extensions. Depending on your situation, you might qualify for Fed-Ed extension or training benefits (CTB). Also, have you considered applying for CalFresh (food assistance) to help with expenses during this transition? Regarding EDD employment - yes, they are actively hiring, but as others mentioned, the state hiring process is extremely slow. For every state job, you need to take and pass an exam first to get on the eligibility list. For EPR positions, it's the EPR exam. For accounting positions, there are separate exams. Once you're on the eligibility list, you can apply to specific positions. The entire process can take 3-6 months easily, sometimes longer. But state employment offers great stability, benefits, and pension. It's worth pursuing if you can manage the wait.

If you need to reach EDD to ask about open positions or the hiring process, good luck getting through on their phone lines! I tried calling their HR department for WEEKS about a job posting and always got the dreaded "we're experiencing high call volume" message. Finally, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a live person at EDD within 20 minutes. They have a system that basically calls EDD for you and puts you ahead in the queue. Check out their demo: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km It was super helpful - the EDD rep I spoke with gave me specific tips about applying and told me about positions that weren't even listed on the website yet. Definitely worth it if you're serious about working there.

I worked for EDD from 2021-2023 as an EPR. Here's what you need to know about the hiring process: 1. First, you MUST take and pass the EPR exam to get on the eligibility list. This is non-negotiable. 2. The exam is offered online now and tests your ability to follow procedures, basic math, and customer service scenarios. 3. Once you pass, you'll get a score that determines your rank on the hiring list. 4. Then you apply to specific EPR positions at specific offices. 5. If your rank is high enough, you'll get called for an interview. 6. After the interview comes the background check, which takes 4-8 weeks usually. With your accounting background, you should also look at Tax Auditor positions - they pay more and would better utilize your skills. The state hiring system (ECOS) is confusing, but persist! State jobs are worth it in the long run for the stability and benefits.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! Of course EDD is hiring - they can't keep staff because the working conditions are terrible! My friend worked there for 6 months and QUIT because the management was so bad. They hire people, don't train them properly, and then wonder why everything is a mess. AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!!

have u checked linkedin? i saw some edd jobs posted there too. might be easier to apply that way

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses! Based on your advice, I'm going to: 1. Look into both EPR and Tax Auditor positions at EDD 2. Take the exams for both positions ASAP 3. Apply through CalCareers 4. Apply to other jobs in the meantime since the process takes so long 5. Check out CalFresh for some temporary assistance I really appreciate all your insights and experiences. I'll update if I make progress with the application! Fingers crossed something works out soon.