Locked out of EDD account - forgot login and secret question answers

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! EDD's account recovery system is so frustrating. You have three options: 1. Keep calling the technical support number (not the regular EDD line) at 1-833-978-2511. They can verify your identity and reset your account. But fair warning, it can take days to get through. 2. Create a brand new account with a different email address, but this might cause issues with your claim history. 3. Go to your nearest EDD office in person with your ID. They can help reset everything on the spot. Option 1 is probably your best bet if you need to file ASAP, but be prepared to spend hours redialing.

the same thing hapend to me i tride calling for 5 days no one picked up its so anoyying

I had this exact problem in January and found a workaround. Since you're filing a new claim anyway, you should be able to register with a new SDI/UI Online account using your SSN but a different email address than your original account. This worked for me when I forgot all my security questions too. BUT - here's the important part - you need to call EDD afterward to have them link your old claim history to your new account, otherwise it will look like you never had a previous claim and that could affect your benefit calculation. Make sure they note this in your file! Also, don't forget that new claims need ID.me verification now, so have your driver's license and be ready to do a video call verification if prompted.

Hey there, I work as an advocate helping people with EDD issues. The fastest way to resolve login problems is to reach an actual EDD representative who can verify your identity and reset your account access. They can do this by asking you verification questions about your claim history, personal info, and employer details rather than relying on your forgotten security questions. I'd recommend using Claimyr.com to get through to an EDD rep quickly. It's a service that connects you with EDD without the hours of redialing. There's a video demo here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that shows how it works. Many of my clients have used it successfully when they were in similar situations and needed urgent account access. Once you get through to a rep, explain that you need to file a new claim but can't access your existing account. They can help reset everything while maintaining your claim history.

I used Claimyr last month when I had a similar issue and it actually worked! Got through to someone in like 25 minutes instead of spending days calling. The rep was able to verify my identity using my SSN, address history, and some questions about my past employers. They reset everything, and I could log in with a new password they provided. Had to change it right away for security, but at least I got access back!

Important tip: When you do get through to someone, make sure they link your old claim to your new one. I had a friend who created a new account, and EDD treated it as if he had never filed before. This caused all kinds of issues with his benefit calculation because they weren't considering his previous wage history. The rep needs to specifically note in your file that this is a continuation with a new account due to access issues, not a brand new claim with no history.

went 2 the edd office in person last yr when i got locked out... took 3hrs waiting but fixed it same day no phone calls needed just bring ID

So glad to see you got through @Isabella! Your success story gives me hope. I've been locked out of my account for 3 weeks now and have been hesitant to try third-party services, but seeing multiple people here confirm that Claimyr worked makes me feel more confident about it. Quick question for anyone who's used it - do they charge upfront or only if they successfully connect you? I'm already stretched thin financially and don't want to pay for something that might not work. Also, for future reference, does anyone know if EDD has any plans to modernize their account recovery system? It seems like this is such a common problem that affects thousands of people.

This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with something similar right now - got laid off two weeks ago and just realized I can't remember any of my EDD login info from when I filed back in 2022. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the tech support line (1-833-978-2511) and services like Claimyr are the way to go rather than trying to guess old security questions. One thing I'm wondering about - has anyone had issues with the ID.me verification process when setting up a new account? I keep hearing that's required now for new claims and I'm worried that might be another hurdle on top of the account recovery mess. Also want to echo what others said about the system being completely broken. It's wild that in 2025 we still have to jump through all these hoops just to access unemployment benefits during what's already a stressful time. But grateful for communities like this where people actually help each other navigate the chaos!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact scenario about 6 months ago! The frustration is SO real - I was literally in tears trying to get back into my account after being unemployed for the first time in years. Here's what finally worked for me: I combined a few of the strategies mentioned here. First, I tried the tech support line (1-833-978-2511) for about a week with no luck. Then I used Claimyr and got through in about 40 minutes. The rep was amazing - she verified my identity using my SSN, previous addresses, and questions about my work history going back several years. The key thing that saved me was having all my old tax documents and pay stubs ready when I called. Even though I couldn't remember my security questions, I could answer detailed questions about my previous employers, dates of employment, and wage amounts. This helped them verify I was the real account owner. One tip I don't see mentioned yet: if you have any old emails from EDD in your inbox (benefit payments, claim confirmations, etc.), screenshot those before you call. The confirmation numbers and dates can help prove your identity to the rep. Also, don't stress too much about the claim history linking - the rep told me this is super common now and they have a standard process for it. They'll make sure your new claim pulls from the correct base period. Hang in there! I know it feels impossible but you WILL get through this! 💪

Reading through all these responses gives me so much hope! I'm actually dealing with this exact same issue right now - laid off 3 weeks ago and completely locked out of my old EDD account from 2021. I've been putting off calling because I figured it would be hopeless, but seeing @Isabella's success story and everyone else's tips makes me realize there ARE solutions. I'm definitely going to try that tech support number (1-833-978-2511) first thing tomorrow morning, and if that doesn't work I'll look into Claimyr. The advice about having old documents ready is super helpful - I found some old EDD emails and bank statements showing benefit deposits that should help verify my identity. One question for those who've been through this: did you have to wait for your new login credentials to come by mail, or were you able to reset everything over the phone and log in immediately? I'm trying to figure out realistic timing since I need to get my claim filed ASAP. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is amazing! It's crazy that we have to crowdsource solutions to access our own benefits, but at least we're helping each other through it. 🤞

This is such a timely thread for me! I'm in almost the exact same situation - got laid off from my tech job last month and realized I have no clue what my EDD login info was from when I filed back in 2020. I've been dreading dealing with this but seeing everyone's success stories here is really encouraging. I'm going to start with that tech support line (1-833-978-2511) tomorrow morning and have already dug up some old EDD emails and bank statements showing previous benefit deposits. If anyone has tips on the best time to call to actually get through, I'd love to hear them! Also wanted to ask - for those who used Claimyr, did you feel comfortable giving them your personal info? I'm always cautious about third-party services but it sounds like multiple people here had good experiences with them. Thank you to everyone sharing your experiences - it's such a relief to know there are actual solutions and I'm not stuck forever! The EDD system is definitely broken but at least this community has each other's backs 💙

Just wanted to add another data point to this incredibly helpful thread! I went through this exact nightmare about 8 months ago when I got laid off from my retail job. Couldn't remember my username, password, OR any of those security questions from like 2019. What finally worked for me was the in-person route that @Chloe mentioned. I know it's not ideal when you need things done ASAP, but if you have a local EDD office nearby, it might be worth considering as a backup plan. I went to the one in downtown and yes, I waited about 4 hours, but they fixed everything on the spot. The staff there seem to deal with this issue literally every day, so they have it down to a science. The rep was able to pull up my entire claim history just using my SSN and ID, reset all my login credentials, and even helped me submit my new claim right there. No phone calls, no third-party services needed - just a lot of patience and a good book to read while waiting! For anyone trying the phone routes first (which is definitely smart), just know that the in-person option is there if all else fails. Sometimes it's actually faster than spending days trying to get through on the phone. Good luck everyone! This system is broken but we'll all get through it together! 💪

Wow, this thread is incredible! I'm bookmarking it for future reference because the collective knowledge here is better than anything I could find on EDD's official website. Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I went through this last year: if you end up having to create a new account (whether through the phone or in-person route), make sure to write down your new security questions and answers IMMEDIATELY and store them somewhere safe. I learned this the hard way after getting locked out twice! I used a password manager to store not just my login credentials but also my exact security question answers word-for-word. It seems obvious in hindsight, but when you're setting up those security questions, you never think you'll forget what you put as your "first pet's name" or whatever - but 3-4 years later when you're stressed about unemployment, your brain just blanks out. Also, for anyone still trying to get through: I've seen people have success calling on Wednesdays and Thursdays vs Mondays/Fridays when everyone is calling. The volume seems a bit lower mid-week. Just another angle to try if the traditional "call right at 8am" approach isn't working. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes dealing with broken government systems bearable! 🙏

This thread has been a lifesaver! I'm in a similar boat - got laid off from my nursing job three weeks ago and just discovered I'm completely locked out of my EDD account from 2022. I've been putting off dealing with it because the whole system seems so intimidating, but reading everyone's success stories here gives me actual hope. I'm definitely going to try the tech support line (1-833-978-2511) first thing tomorrow morning at exactly 8:00 AM, and I've already gathered up my old EDD emails and bank statements showing previous deposits. If that doesn't work after a few days, I'll look into Claimyr based on all the positive experiences shared here. The tip about writing down security question answers in a password manager is brilliant - I'm absolutely doing that once I get back into my account. And knowing that the in-person option exists as a backup plan is really reassuring, even if it means a long wait. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and practical advice. It's incredible how much more helpful this community is than EDD's own resources. Fingers crossed I'll be posting a success update soon! 🤞

This thread is absolutely incredible - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare right now. Got laid off from my job at a local credit union two weeks ago and when I went to file for unemployment, I realized I have zero memory of my EDD login details from when I filed briefly in 2021. The security questions are what's really killing me - I apparently chose questions like "what was your first concert" and "what's your favorite movie" but I have NO idea what answers I gave back then. Did I put the full band name or just the main act? Did I include "The" in the movie title? It's maddening! I've been procrastinating calling because I figured it would be hopeless, but seeing @Isabella's success story and all the practical advice here has me ready to tackle this tomorrow. Going to try that tech support line (1-833-978-2511) right at 8:00 AM with my old EDD emails and bank statements ready. And if that doesn't work, Claimyr sounds like it's worth every penny based on all the positive feedback. The tip about password managers for security questions is gold - definitely doing that once I get back in. It's crazy that we have to become EDD recovery experts just to access our own benefits, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people actually help each other navigate the chaos! 🙏

This thread is amazing and exactly what I needed to see! I'm in the same boat - got laid off from my marketing job last Friday and just realized I'm completely locked out of my EDD account from 2020. I've been stressing about it all weekend but reading through everyone's success stories here is giving me so much hope. The security question problem is so real - I apparently thought it was clever to put inside jokes as answers back then, and now I have no clue what I was thinking! "What was your childhood nickname?" could literally be anything I found funny at the time. I'm definitely calling that tech support line (1-833-978-2511) first thing Monday morning at 8:00 AM sharp. Already dug up some old EDD emails from my Gmail and found a few bank statements showing deposit amounts. The tip about having backup phone numbers ready is smart too - I'll have both my cell and my roommate's phone on standby. If the phone route doesn't work after a few days, I'm absolutely trying Claimyr based on all the positive feedback here. It's wild that we need third-party services to access our own benefits, but hey, whatever works! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this community support is incredible and way more helpful than anything on EDD's actual website. I'll definitely post an update once I get through! 🤞