


Ask the community...
To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
Thank you Tom for taking the time to do this AMA! I've been struggling to reach for weeks about my pending claim. How quickly can Claimyr typically get someone connected to a representative, and what's the success rate? Also, are there any specific types of issues that Claimyr works better for than others?
Hi Katherine, Andre, and Paolo! As someone who just discovered this community while searching for help, I'm really glad to see Tom doing this AMA. I've been stuck in limbo for 6 weeks now with a pending claim that nobody can seem to help me with. The regular phone lines are basically impossible - I've tried calling hundreds of times and either get busy signals or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. Really hoping Tom can shed some light on whether Claimyr actually works for situations like ours where we just need to talk to a real person who can look at our accounts. The whole system feels broken right now, so any alternative that actually connects you to someone would be a godsend!
Hi everyone! I'm new to this community and just stumbled across this AMA while desperately searching for help with EDD. Like all of you, I've been stuck in the endless loop of busy signals and disconnected calls for weeks now. My unemployment benefits got suspended and I can't seem to reach anyone who can help resolve it. Katherine, Andre, Paolo, and QuantumQuester - you've all asked exactly what I was wondering about! Tom, I'm really hoping you can give us some real answers here. Is Claimyr actually able to get through when the rest of us can't? And how does the whole process work - do you just call them back when they reach someone, or is there more to it? At this point I'm willing to try anything that might actually work. The stress of not being able to reach when you desperately need help is overwhelming!
So glad to hear you got through @Carmen! That gives me hope. I'm dealing with a similar situation but for regular unemployment benefits - lost access to my account after changing phones and can't remember my security questions. Has anyone had success using that same SDI number (1-800-480-3287) for regular UI issues, or do I need to stick with the main unemployment line? I've been trying the main number for over a week with no luck.
@Sean Matthews Unfortunately, the SDI number 1-800-480-3287 (is) specifically for State Disability Insurance claims only - they won t'be able to help with regular unemployment benefits. For UI account recovery, you ll'need to stick with the main EDD number 1-833-978-2511 (or) try the technical support line at 1-800-300-5616. I know it s'frustrating, but those are separate systems. Try calling the technical support line right at 8 AM - sometimes it s'less busy than the main UI line. Also make sure you have your Social Security number, ID, and any old EDD correspondence ready when you do get through. Good luck!
If you're still having trouble getting through by phone, another option is to contact your local Assembly or Senate representative's office. They often have dedicated EDD liaisons who can help with urgent cases like yours. I had to do this for my mom when she couldn't get through for her disability claim. Just call their district office and explain it's an urgent SDI filing issue - they usually respond within 1-2 business days and can sometimes get things resolved faster than going through the normal channels. You can find your representatives at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov. Worth trying if the direct calling doesn't work out!
That's really helpful advice about contacting representatives! I never thought of that option. Quick question - when you contacted them for your mom, did you need to provide any specific documentation or just explain the situation? I'm wondering if I should gather any paperwork before reaching out to make the process smoother.
@Lia Quinn When I helped my mom contact our assemblyman s'office, we just called and explained the situation - they didn t'ask for documentation upfront. The staff member took down her basic info name, (SSN, brief description of the EDD issue and) had her sign a privacy release form so they could speak with EDD on her behalf. They got back to us within 48 hours with a direct contact at EDD who was able to resolve her account issue in one phone call. Definitely worth trying if you re'stuck in the phone loop! Just have your basic info ready when you call.
good luck! EDD phone system is a nightmare!! i spent like 4 days trying to get thru before i got a human. call right when they open!!
I went through something similar when I first started working in California. One thing that really helped me was calling the EDD 833 number (833-978-2511) instead of the main 800 number - it seemed to have shorter wait times. Also, if you do get through and they say they can't help with the Alternate Base Period over the phone, ask to speak with a supervisor. Some reps aren't as familiar with ABP processing but the supervisors usually know how to handle it. Another tip - if your employer has been reporting wages but they're not showing up in EDD's system, there might be a mismatch in how your name or SSN was reported. Double check that your employer has your info exactly as it appears on your Social Security card. Even small differences can cause wages to not be properly credited to your account. Keep all your paystubs handy when you call - they might ask for specific dates and amounts to verify your employment history. You've got this!
This is really helpful advice! I didn't know there was a different number to try. I'll definitely call the 833 number first thing tomorrow. And good point about checking my name/SSN match exactly - I actually go by "Andre" but my legal name on my Social Security card is "André" with the accent. I wonder if that could be causing issues? I'll make sure to mention this when I call EDD and double-check with my former employer what name they used when reporting my wages.
To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
I've been struggling with the same issue! Just wanted to share that if you're still waiting, you might want to try calling right when they open at 8 AM - that seems to be when you have the best chance of getting through. Also, don't hang up if you get the busy signal, sometimes it will eventually connect you to the queue. Good luck everyone!
That's really helpful advice about calling right at 8 AM! I'm new to dealing with and have been so frustrated trying to get through. Did you find that certain days of the week work better than others? I've heard Tuesday-Thursday might be less busy but wasn't sure if that's actually true. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Oliver Wagner
I'm in a similar boat - just got approved for a new claim after having one about 18 months ago. Still have my old BofA card too. Reading through these responses is really reassuring! I was definitely worried about having to wait for a new card to arrive. The timing info is super helpful too - sounds like most people see funds within 24-48 hours. I'll make sure to update my address with Bank of America separately like Freya mentioned. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
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Connor Byrne
•I'm glad these responses are helping you too! I was so stressed about potentially waiting weeks for a new card, but it sounds like we're both in good shape with our existing cards. The address update tip is definitely something I wouldn't have thought of on my own. Good luck with your claim - hopefully we both see our funds hit our cards soon!
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Emma Wilson
Just to add another data point - I was in the exact same situation 6 months ago after being off unemployment for about 16 months. My old BofA card worked perfectly and the funds showed up in exactly 24 hours after the "paid" status appeared. One thing I'd recommend is taking a screenshot of your UI Online showing "paid" status with the timestamp - it helps if you need to call customer service later about any delays. Also, if you have the BofA mobile app, you can set up push notifications for deposits which is really convenient for knowing the moment your funds hit without having to keep checking manually!
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