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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
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I'm currently in week 2 of waiting for my callback and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on everyone's experiences, it sounds like I should expect the call somewhere between weeks 3-5. I've already turned off "Silence Unknown Callers" on my iPhone and set up a special ringtone for unknown numbers. One thing I'm curious about - for those who successfully received their callbacks, did EDD call multiple times if you didn't answer the first time, or is it really just one attempt? I work in a job where I sometimes can't answer immediately, so I'm wondering if I have any margin for error or if I need to literally drop everything the moment an unknown number calls during business hours.
From what I've experienced and heard from others, EDD typically only makes one callback attempt. If you miss it, you're back to square one unfortunately. However, I'd suggest setting your phone to ring for as long as possible before going to voicemail - maybe 8-10 rings instead of the default 3-4. That gives you more time to get to your phone if you're in a meeting or bathroom break. Also, if your job allows it, maybe let your coworkers or supervisor know you're expecting an important government callback so they understand if you need to step away to answer an unknown call. The stress of potentially missing that one shot is real, but most people do manage to catch their call when it comes. You could also consider using a service like Claimyr if your work schedule makes it too risky to wait for the callback - at least then you'd have more control over the timing.
Unfortunately it really is just one attempt in most cases. I missed my first callback because I was in back-to-back meetings and had to request another one - took another 4 weeks to get the second call. Now I literally excuse myself from meetings to answer any unknown number during business hours. It's awkward but missing that call and having to start over was way worse. If your job is really strict about phone calls, you might want to consider the paid services like Claimyr that others mentioned - at least then you can schedule it for a time when you know you'll be available. The one-and-done policy is probably the most frustrating part of their whole callback system.
I'm in the exact same situation right now - waiting 3 weeks for my callback and getting paranoid about missing it! Reading everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking. It sounds like the caller ID can show up in so many different ways: "Unknown", blocked numbers, "CA STATE GOVT", "CALIFORNIA EDD", "STATE OF CA", "SACRAMENTO CA", "EDD CALLBACK", or even "EMPLOYMENT DEV DEPT". I've already turned off "Silence Unknown Callers" and set up a special loud ringtone for unknown numbers. Also keeping my phone charged and with me at all times during business hours. The one-attempt-only policy is what scares me most - I can't believe they don't try calling back if you miss it! Has anyone here had success getting a second callback after missing the first one, or do you really have to start the whole process over? This system is so stressful but at least knowing what to expect helps a lot.
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Update: I finally got through to EDD after trying for two days (thanks to everyone who suggested ways to contact them). The rep confirmed what you all said - my benefits are lower because my earnings were concentrated in just two quarters. She checked my reported wages and everything was correct. I'm disappointed but at least I understand it now. Going to adjust my budget and step up my job search. Thanks everyone for your help explaining this!
Glad you got confirmation! One more tip - if you exhaust your regular UI benefits before finding work, check if you qualify for a Fed-Ed extension (if unemployment rates are high) or consider job training programs through EDD that can extend your benefits while you build new skills. Good luck with your job search!
Thank you! I didn't know about those options. Will definitely look into them if my job search takes longer than expected.
I went through something similar when I filed my claim last year. The whole base period calculation really caught me off guard too. One thing that helped me was requesting a detailed breakdown of my base period wages from EDD - they can send you a form that shows exactly which quarters and earnings they used. Sometimes there are reporting delays from employers that can affect your calculation. Also, if you had any unreported tips, freelance work, or side income during your base period, you might be able to add those to increase your claim balance. It's worth double-checking everything since even small wage adjustments can add a few extra weeks to your benefits.
That's really helpful advice! I didn't know you could request a detailed breakdown of the base period wages. How do you go about requesting that form? And you're right about checking for unreported income - I did some freelance graphic design work during that time period that might not have been reported properly. Even if it only adds a week or two of benefits, that could make a big difference in my job search timeline.
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I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! Got laid off from my office job in late February and have been receiving payments for about 3 weeks, but that "qualification review" status on my UI Online homepage has been stressing me out so much. I keep wondering if I did something wrong or if they're going to suddenly decide I don't qualify. Reading through everyone's experiences here is honestly such a relief - it sounds like this is just a standard part of EDD's process that they don't really explain well to claimants. I haven't received any interview notices yet either, so I'm hoping that's a good sign. One question for those who went through this - did you notice any specific timeframe for when the status changed from "qualification review" to something else? I'm trying to figure out if there's a typical timeline or if it just varies case by case. Either way, I'm definitely going to keep up with my certifications and job search requirements while I wait it out!
From what I've seen in this thread, the timeline seems to vary quite a bit! Some people mentioned it took about 2 months for their status to change, while others said it happened sooner. I think it really depends on your specific case - like whether they need to verify anything with your employer or if there are any discrepancies they need to look into. The good news is that most people here kept getting payments throughout the entire review period, so at least you're not left hanging financially while they figure things out. Just keep doing what you're supposed to do with the certifications and job search, and try not to stress too much about the timeline - easier said than done, I know!
I'm going through this EXACT same thing right now! Been getting payments for about 6 weeks after being laid off from my retail job, but that "qualification review" status has been giving me major anxiety. I keep thinking they're going to suddenly stop everything or ask for the money back. Reading all these responses is honestly so reassuring - it sounds like this is way more common than EDD makes it seem. I haven't gotten any interview notices either, which based on what everyone's saying here seems like a good sign. One thing I've learned from lurking in this community is to screenshot EVERYTHING - your payment history, certification confirmations, even just the homepage with your claim status. I started doing this after reading horror stories about people having trouble proving they were following all the rules if issues came up later. It's crazy how EDD doesn't really explain what these statuses mean. Like, would it kill them to add a little explanation next to "qualification review" saying "this is normal, we're just verifying your info while continuing payments"? Would save so many people from stressing out unnecessarily!
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Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still dealing with this. I'm a digital nomad who's been collecting CA unemployment while traveling (legitimately - I'm still available for remote work in CA). After trying multiple VPNs that all got blocked, I found that Surfshark's "NoBorders" mode worked for about 2 weeks before EDD caught on. But honestly, after reading everyone's experiences here, I think calling EDD directly is the way to go. The temporary workarounds aren't worth the risk of getting your account flagged. @GalaxyGlider your update gives me hope that they're reasonable about legitimate travel situations. Planning to call them before my next trip to get ahead of any issues.
@Aisha Abdullah That s'smart to call ahead! I m'in a similar situation as a remote worker and was dreading having to deal with this. After seeing @GalaxyGlider s'success story, it really seems like transparency is the best policy with EDD. Did you have any issues with them questioning your digital "nomad status?" I m'worried they might not understand that remote work can be done from anywhere but I m'still genuinely available for California-based positions.
I've been dealing with this exact issue for months! I'm currently in the Philippines caring for my elderly mother and had the same problem with EDD blocking my VPN access. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I used a dedicated IP from PureVPN (costs extra but gives you a static residential IP that's less likely to be flagged) AND I called EDD proactively to explain my situation. The rep was surprisingly understanding and added a note to my account about legitimate overseas travel while remaining available for CA work. The key is being completely honest about your circumstances and emphasizing that you're still actively job searching and available for California-based remote positions. Don't try to hide your location - it's better to work WITH EDD rather than trying to circumvent their security. Also keep detailed records of your work search activities while abroad as they may ask for this during your call.
@Jamal Edwards This is really helpful! I ve'been hesitant to call EDD because I wasn t'sure how they d'react to overseas travel, but seeing so many success stories here gives me confidence. Your point about keeping detailed work search records is great advice - I ve'been maintaining a spreadsheet of all my applications and interviews anyway. Quick question: when you called, did they ask you to verify your identity in any special way since you were calling from abroad? I m'worried about potential complications with international calling or them being suspicious about the foreign number. Also, how long did the note "on your account last?" I m'planning to be here for about 4 months total.
Christian Bierman
This thread has been a goldmine of information! I'm currently dealing with my first 2500A form after my benefit year ended last week, and honestly the EDD website made it sound like it would be a simple 3-5 day process. Reading everyone's real experiences here has been both eye-opening and slightly terrifying - the fact that it can take anywhere from 8 days to over a month is such a huge range to plan around financially! I had some freelance graphic design work during months 5-7 of my claim (all properly reported and documented) so it sounds like I should definitely expect the manual review process. The tip about calling around day 7-8 at 8am seems like the best strategy based on what everyone's shared. It's really frustrating that we have to become detectives just to figure out if our claims are processing normally or stuck on some hidden flag. The UI Online portal showing just "processing" when there could be immediate issues that need fixing is honestly terrible system design. But I'm grateful for communities like this where people share their actual experiences and timelines - way more helpful than any official EDD resource I've found!
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Dmitry Sokolov
I'm new to this community and currently navigating my first experience with unemployment benefits. This entire thread has been incredibly educational about what to actually expect with the DE 2500A continued claim form! As someone who's completely unfamiliar with the EDD system, I had no idea that properly reported income could trigger automatic manual review, or that the online portal basically gives you no useful information about what's really happening with your claim. The range of processing times everyone has shared (8 days to a month+) is pretty daunting from a financial planning perspective, but the consistent advice about calling around day 7-8 at 8am or 11:30am seems like a solid strategy. It's honestly frustrating that we have to rely on community knowledge like this to understand basic processes that should be clearly explained by EDD itself. The fact that so many issues can be resolved immediately once you actually speak to a representative makes the whole "processing" status even more misleading. I'm bookmarking all these tips and timelines for future reference - this real-world insight is way more valuable than anything I've found on the official EDD website. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to share your specific experiences and outcomes!
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