Need help connecting with EDD appeals specialist - stuck in phone system loop

Appeals are unfortunately handled by a completely separate department than regular EDD claims. The number you're calling (800-300-5616) is actually the general UI customer service line, not the appeals office. You need to call the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB) directly at 1-800-967-5253. When you call, have your appeal case number ready (should be on your hearing notice). Ask specifically to speak with the Administrative Law Judge's assistant who's assigned to your case. They can answer questions about evidence submission deadlines and procedures.

omg THE EXACT SAME THING happened 2 me!! I got disqualified 4 'refusing suitable work' when the job they offered paid less than half my previous salary and was 45 mins away with no public transit!!! I appealed right away but couldnt get ANY answers about my hearing for weeks. Its a total nightmare trying 2 reach anyone who knows ANYTHING about appeals!!

Have you tried checking your UI Online account for a message from the appeals office? Sometimes they send instructions through there. Also, the hearing notice should have contact info for the specific office handling your case.

The EDD appeals system is deliberately designed to be difficult to navigate. They know most people will give up rather than keep fighting. I went through this last year and discovered that each regional CUIAB office actually has its own direct phone number that's different from the main number. Check the address on your hearing notice - if it says "Sacramento Office" or "San Diego Office" etc., you can Google that specific regional CUIAB office for their direct number. Call that instead of the main line. Also, if your hearing is in 2 weeks, you need to submit any evidence at least 10 days before the hearing date or the judge might not consider it. Don't wait until you reach someone - prepare and submit your evidence NOW.

I had to deal with an appeal last month and the ONLY way I actually managed to get through to a human was using Claimyr. It costs money but after wasting DAYS trying to reach someone, it was worth it. They basically call EDD for you and when they get through, they connect you. The best part was I could watch their progress on video while they were calling so I wasn't just waiting blindly. You can see a demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km and their website is claimyr.com. They got me through to someone in the appeals department who actually transferred me to the right person.

why dont u just EMAIL them??? theres a contact form on the appeals board website. WAY easier than calling!!!

All this advice about calling different numbers might help, but here's what actually matters for your appeal: 1) Submit all evidence before the deadline 2) Prepare a clear statement about why you were available for work 3) Gather any documentation that proves you were available (job applications, emails, etc). You might never get through on the phone, but if you show up prepared to your hearing, you still have a good chance of winning.

Just to follow up - make sure you're not confusing an eligibility interview with an actual appeal hearing. They're completely different processes handled by different departments. If you received a Notice of Determination saying you're disqualified, then you're correctly in the appeals process. But if you received a notice for an eligibility interview, that's handled by EDD directly, not the appeals board. Also, are you planning to have legal representation at your hearing? Many legal aid organizations offer free help with UI appeals. Might be worth looking into since your hearing is coming up so soon.

I've been through this exact situation and it's incredibly frustrating! One thing that worked for me was calling the CUIAB number (1-800-967-5253) very early in the morning - like right when they open at 8 AM. The hold times are much shorter then. Also, if you get disconnected, don't give up - sometimes it takes 3-4 attempts but you will eventually get through. Since your hearing is in 2 weeks, here's what I'd recommend doing RIGHT NOW while you're trying to reach someone: Start organizing all your evidence into chronological order, make copies of everything, and write a brief summary of why you believe you were available for work. Even if you can't get specific guidance on format, submitting well-organized evidence is better than submitting nothing at all. One more tip - when you do get through to someone, ask them to email you a confirmation of any instructions they give you. I learned this the hard way when I got different advice from different people I spoke with.

I went through a similar appeals nightmare last year and here's what finally worked for me: Call the CUIAB number (1-800-967-5253) but press option 2 for "existing appeals" instead of option 1. This gets you to a different queue that's usually shorter. When you get someone, immediately say "I need to speak with the Administrative Law Judge's clerk for case number [your case number]" - don't let them transfer you to general customer service. Also, I noticed you mentioned being disqualified for "not being available for work" - this is one of the most common disqualifications and actually has a pretty high overturn rate at appeal if you have good documentation. Make sure you bring proof of your job search activities, any medical documentation if health was a factor, and evidence of your availability (like being reachable by phone, having childcare arranged, etc.). One last thing - if all else fails, you can actually show up to the hearing location in person about 30 minutes early and ask to speak with the judge's clerk. They're usually more helpful in person than over the phone. Good luck!

Just wanted to add another resource that might help - if you're having trouble with the phone system, try contacting your local Assembly member or State Senator's office. Most of them have constituent services staff who can help navigate EDD issues, including appeals. They often have direct contacts within the system and can sometimes get faster responses than calling the general numbers. You can find your representatives at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov by entering your zip code. I used this approach for a different EDD issue and was surprised how responsive they were. It's worth a shot while you're also trying the other phone number strategies people have suggested!