Which EDD phone number actually gets you to a live representative?

The main number is actually still your best bet, but you need to use the right strategy. Call exactly at 8:01 AM and use this prompt sequence: when the auto system answers, press 1, then wait for the next menu and press 2, then 4. That routing has worked for me twice in the past month. Also, Tuesdays and Wednesdays seem to have slightly lower call volumes than Mondays or Fridays.

nobody picks up lol ive been trying 4 2 weeks straight

I was in the EXACT same situation last month when my claim got flagged for identity verification. After days of trying the main line, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which basically calls EDD for you and then connects you when they get through. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a demo video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km It's the only thing that worked for me after trying every extension and trick people suggested online. I finally got my identity verification sorted out in one call after connecting with a tier 2 specialist.

The technical support line can sometimes be easier to get through: 1-855-327-7057. While they can't directly help with claim issues, they can often transfer you to a claims specialist if you explain your situation clearly. When you call, say you're having technical issues accessing your account online AND need to speak with someone about your expiring benefit year. Also, try calling between 1-2pm when many representatives return from lunch but call volumes tend to dip slightly. And remember to keep your claim number, last 4 of SSN, and identity documents ready so you don't waste time once connected.

UGH this makes me SO ANGRY!! The EDD system is BROKEN and they don't care!!! I spent SIX WEEKS trying to get through last year when they put a hold on my payments for "income verification" even though I'd already submitted EVERYTHING they asked for TWICE!!! When I finally got through, the rep fixed it in 5 MINUTES!!! Why make it so impossible to reach anyone?? It's like they WANT us to give up on benefits we EARNED and are ENTITLED TO!!!! 😡😡😡

Another option: check if your state assembly member's office can help. Each district has staff specifically assigned to help constituents with EDD issues. Google "[your city] state assembly member" and their office can often get EDD to respond much faster than you can on your own. They have direct channels to EDD liaisons that bypass the regular phone systems.

dont bother with the 5616 number its useless

i called 714-736-3000 yesterday and got thru to someone in like 20 mins no joke. its the orange county edd office but they said they can help anyone in california not just oc residents worth a shot

By the way, if you're calling about extending your benefit year, just be aware that in 2025 you need to have earned enough wages in your base period to establish a new claim. If you haven't worked enough quarters, you might not be eligible for a new claim immediately after your benefit year ends. The rep will look at your wages from roughly 5-17 months before you file the new claim. Just wanted to mention this so you're prepared when you do get through!

I feel your pain! I just went through this exact same nightmare in February. What finally worked for me was calling the 1-800-300-5616 number but using a different strategy than most people suggest. Instead of calling right at 8 AM when everyone else is calling, I started calling at 7:59 AM and would immediately redial if I got the busy message. Sometimes the system opens up a minute or two early and you can get in the queue before the rush hits. Also, when you do get through to the menu, press 1-2-1 instead of 1-2-4 - that routes you to a different department but they can still help with benefit extensions and the wait times are usually shorter. Got through in about 15 minutes using this method. Good luck!

I just successfully got through yesterday using a combination of tips from this thread! Called the main number (1-800-300-5616) at exactly 7:58 AM and kept redialing every time I got the busy signal. On my 4th attempt around 8:02 AM, I got through to the menu and used the 1-2-1 sequence that @Ella Lewis mentioned. Waited about 22 minutes and got connected to a really helpful rep who extended my benefit year in under 10 minutes. For anyone still struggling - persistence is key, but having the right strategy makes all the difference. The early morning calls (before 8:05 AM) seem to have the best success rate. Also keep your claim number and last 4 of SSN ready to save time once you get through. Don't give up!

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me recently - if you have a smartphone, try using the EDD mobile app to check if there are any online actions you can take first before calling. Sometimes benefit year extensions can be filed directly through the app or website without needing to speak to a rep. I was able to refile my claim online last month and it was processed within 3 business days. That said, if you do need to speak to someone, I'd definitely try the 7:58 AM strategy that @Ella Lewis and @Caden Nguyen mentioned - seems like that timing trick is working well for people lately. Also consider having a backup plan ready like contacting your assembly member's office if the phone calls don't work out. Sometimes approaching the problem from multiple angles increases your chances of success!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! My benefit year expires next week and I've been calling for days with no luck. Reading through all these strategies gives me hope though. I'm going to try the 7:58 AM approach with the 1-2-1 routing that @Ella Lewis and @Caden Nguyen mentioned, and I also downloaded the mobile app like @Giovanni Gallo suggested to see if I can handle it online first. If none of that works, I'll definitely look into contacting my assembly member's office. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops just to access benefits we've earned, but at least this thread shows there are ways to get through if you have the right strategy. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually worked for you!

I just got through this morning using a combination of these strategies! Called at 7:58 AM like @Ella Lewis suggested and used the 1-2-1 routing. Got the busy signal twice but on the third try at 8:01 AM I got into the queue. Waited about 18 minutes and connected to a super helpful rep who extended my benefit year and even helped me understand the wage requirements for my new claim period. The key things that worked: calling slightly before 8 AM, having multiple strategies ready (I also had the assembly member contact info and mobile app downloaded as backups), and keeping all my documents organized so I didn't waste time once connected. Don't give up - these methods really do work, you just need patience and persistence!

I've been lurking in this community for months dealing with my own EDD nightmare, and this thread is exactly what I needed! I've been trying to get through for weeks about a pending payment issue and was about to give up. Seeing so many people successfully use the 7:58 AM strategy with the 1-2-1 routing gives me hope that there's actually a way through this mess. One thing I'd add - if you're calling about pending payments specifically, have your claim form details ready too, not just your claim number and SSN. Last time I got through (months ago), they asked for specific dates from my last few claim forms and I had to scramble to find them. Also keeping a notepad to write down any reference numbers they give you is clutch because if you get disconnected, at least you have something to reference if you call back. Setting my alarm for 7:55 AM tomorrow and crossing my fingers this finally works! Thanks everyone for sharing your actual experiences instead of just complaining - this is the most helpful EDD advice I've seen anywhere.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share what just worked for me this week! I was in the exact same situation - benefit year expiring and couldn't get through for over a week. I tried the 7:58 AM strategy that @Ella Lewis mentioned combined with the 1-2-1 routing, but what really made the difference was calling on a Wednesday instead of Monday or Tuesday. Got through on my second attempt at 7:59 AM, waited about 25 minutes, and the rep was incredibly helpful. She not only extended my benefit year but also walked me through what documents I'd need if there were any issues with my new claim. The whole call took maybe 15 minutes once connected. Pro tip: I also had the EDD mobile app open during the call so I could verify information in real-time instead of having to call back later. Definitely recommend having multiple strategies ready like everyone's mentioned - the assembly member contact info, mobile app, and these specific calling techniques. Don't lose hope, the persistence really does pay off when you have the right approach!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who shared their actual working strategies in this thread! I was in the same nightmare situation - benefit year expiring this Friday and I'd been calling the main number for over a week with zero success. After reading through all these comments, I decided to try the 7:58 AM approach with the 1-2-1 routing that @Ella Lewis, @Caden Nguyen, and others mentioned. Called yesterday (Wednesday) at exactly 7:58 AM, got the busy signal once, redialed at 7:59 AM and got through to the menu. Used the 1-2-1 sequence and waited about 20 minutes before connecting to a rep who was super helpful and professional. Got my benefit year extended and even had time to ask about the wage requirements for my new claim period. The timing really seems to be everything - calling just before that 8 AM rush and having multiple backup strategies ready made all the difference. For anyone still struggling, don't give up! This thread proves there are ways to get through if you have the right approach and timing. Having your documents ready and the mobile app open like @Yara Elias suggested also saved time during the actual call. You've all been lifesavers!

I've been dealing with EDD phone hell for months and this thread is honestly the most helpful resource I've found anywhere! I tried the 7:58 AM strategy with the 1-2-1 routing that @Ella Lewis mentioned and it actually worked - got through this morning after just two redials. The rep was super helpful and resolved my pending payment issue in about 10 minutes once connected. One additional tip I'd add: if you're calling about multiple issues (like I had both pending payments AND needed to update my address), prioritize them before the call so you don't waste time once you're connected. Also, I noticed the reps seem more patient and helpful in the earlier morning hours compared to when I've gotten through later in the day. For anyone still struggling - the persistence really does pay off when you combine it with the right timing and routing strategies. Don't give up! Having backup plans like the assembly member contact info ready is smart too, but try the phone strategies first since they seem to be working consistently for people in this thread.