Need EDD support number that actually works - regular line just gives busy signal

Thanks! I was wondering if those were different lines. Explains why I got the same runaround on both.

Yeah that confused me too when I first started calling. Wasted a whole morning switching between numbers thinking one would be less busy.

Two weeks?? That's insane. How many times per day are you calling?

I start at 8am sharp and usually make 40-50 attempts before giving up around noon. It's become a part-time job.

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

Yeah it's at claimyr.com - they basically call the EDD support number for you automatically and forward the call when they get an agent. Costs money but saved me weeks of frustration.

I was skeptical about paying for something like that but honestly after wasting 3 weeks of my life calling, it was worth every penny.

Wait, seriously? The whole call center takes lunch at the same time? That's ridiculous!

Yep, complete dead zone. They should post this information but they don't. Also avoid calling after 4pm - they stop taking new calls even though they're supposedly open until 5.

This explains SO much. I always wondered why I could never get through during my lunch break.

You actually track your calling data? That's dedication.

When you're desperate, you try everything. I have spreadsheets showing call times, hold durations, success rates. Wednesday/Thursday afternoons are statistically your best bet.

67 attempts just to get on hold? This is why I gave up and went with an auto-dialer service.

Which one did you use? I can't go through this again if I need to call back.

Claimyr - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 that shows exactly how it works.

Good to know. I was about to try calling the disability line thinking it might be less busy.

Yeah that used to work in 2020-2021 but not anymore. The only working EDD support number for unemployment is 800-300-5616 or 833-978-0753 (same line).

I fell for this last month and wasted two days calling the wrong numbers. Wish I'd seen this earlier.

Does calling before 8am actually work? I thought their system would just reject calls.

It's hit or miss but I've gotten through a few times calling at 7:57-7:58am. The system seems to start accepting calls a few minutes early.

I tried this approach for a week. Got through once at 7:58am but usually just get a different error message before 8.

That's my biggest fear - waiting hours just to get disconnected. How is this system even legal?

It's not just you - the EDD phone system drops 30-50% of calls. They know about it but haven't fixed it. Happened to me 4 times in one week.

How much does something like that cost? Is it worth it compared to just calling yourself?

Costs way less than the time I wasted calling manually. Plus they guarantee you'll reach a human - no more busy signals or dropped calls.

Same here. I was against paying for calling help but after losing entire days to the EDD support number runaround, it was the best money I ever spent.

Thanks for the reminder. I was about to try calling Saturday morning.

Yeah weekends are completely dead. Even their automated system doesn't pick up.

Wait exactly 70 seconds? I've been pressing 1 right after the English prompt. Maybe that's why I keep getting errors.

Yeah the timing is crucial. If you press too early it resets the menu. 70 seconds from when you press 1 for English.

I've been doing 60 seconds and wondering why it wasn't working consistently. Going to try 70 tomorrow.

This is depressing but probably the most honest assessment I've seen. I guess I need to set realistic expectations.

I don't mean to be discouraging, but after 6 months of dealing with EDD, you learn to be pragmatic about it. The system is what it is.

89 attempts! That's dedication. At least you got it resolved in the end.

Yeah once you get through, the agents are knowledgeable and efficient. It's just the phone system that's completely broken.

This gives me hope. I'm on day 3 of calling and was starting to think the agents wouldn't be able to help even if I got through.