California Unemployment

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Using Claimyr will:

  • Connect you to a human agent at the EDD
  • Skip the long phone menu
  • Call the correct department
  • Redial until on hold
  • Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
  • Give you free callbacks if the EDD drops your call

If I could give 10 stars I would

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!


Really made a difference

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.


IT WORKS!! Not a scam!

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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Ask the community...

  • 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 :)

Ava Kim

I just went through this exact situation last week! The "not enough wages" error is super misleading when you clearly have qualifying earnings. What worked for me was calling right at 8:00 AM sharp and pressing 1-2-4 when the menu starts. I got through on my 4th try that way. When I finally spoke to a rep, they explained that my recent temp work wages hadn't been reported to EDD yet by the employer, so the system was only seeing my older base period which had expired. They were able to manually review my pay stubs and file an alternate base period claim on the spot. Pro tip: Have your Social Security number, all employer names/addresses from the last 18 months, and total gross wages for each job written down before you call. The rep will need all of this info to process your claim correctly. Good luck!

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This is really encouraging to hear! I've been so stressed thinking I was doing something wrong. The 1-2-4 menu trick is something I haven't tried yet - I was just pressing random numbers hoping to get through. I'll definitely try calling right at 8 AM tomorrow with all my paperwork ready. Thanks for the detailed breakdown of what info they'll need!

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This happened to me too and it's SO frustrating! The base period calculation is the culprit here - your temp job wages probably aren't showing up in their system yet or fall outside the qualifying period they're using. I had success calling the 833-978-2511 number around 8:05 AM and selecting the "file new claim" option. When you get through (and you will eventually!), tell them you need an "alternate base period" calculation and have all your pay stubs ready. The rep I spoke with was actually really helpful once I explained I had sufficient wages that weren't being recognized by the online system. Also definitely ask about backdating your claim to cover those 2 weeks you've already been waiting. They can usually do that if you provide proof of when your employment actually ended. Hang in there - the system is broken but there are people who can fix it on the phone side!

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Thank you so much for the specific phone number and timing advice! I've been calling the main line but maybe that alternate number will have better luck. It's really reassuring to hear from so many people who've dealt with this exact same issue. I was starting to think I was going crazy or had made some mistake with my earnings. I'll definitely have all my documentation organized and try calling first thing tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed I can get this sorted out quickly!

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This thread is exactly what I needed to find right now! I'm in the same boat - certified yesterday and my claim history shows "paid" but nothing in payment activity yet. It's only day 1 for me but after reading everyone's experiences, I feel so much better knowing this is a common system glitch rather than something wrong with my claim. I'm definitely going to try the logout/login trick and check from both my phone and computer. It's honestly shocking how unreliable EDD's system is - you'd think something as critical as unemployment payments would have better technology behind it! But I'm grateful this community exists to share these workarounds since EDD certainly doesn't provide any guidance about their technical issues. Going to bookmark this thread for future reference since it sounds like these display problems are becoming more frequent. Will update if I learn anything new or if the payment shows up properly. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences - this is way more helpful than anything I've found on EDD's official site!

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Welcome to the community, Sophia! You're definitely being smart by looking into this early rather than waiting and worrying. Day 1 is still really early, but it's great that you found this thread now so you know what to try if the payment doesn't show up in the next day or two. The logout/login trick really does work for most people experiencing this issue - I think it has something to do with how EDD's system caches information. Also definitely try checking from different devices/browsers since several people mentioned that helped them see payments that weren't displaying properly on their usual device. Since you're new to this issue, one tip I picked up from reading through everyone's experiences: take screenshots of your claim history showing "paid" status just in case you need documentation later. Most of the time these turn out to be simple display glitches, but it's good to have that backup if you ever need to escalate to an EDD representative. Looking forward to your update - hopefully it'll be another success story to add to this helpful collection of experiences!

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I'm going through this exact same situation right now and honestly this entire thread has been such a lifesaver! Certified on Wednesday, shows "paid" in claim history but absolutely nothing showing up in payment activity - it's now day 2 and I was starting to have a full panic attack thinking my claim got flagged or something. Reading through everyone's experiences here is incredibly reassuring. I had no clue that EDD's system had so many display bugs and technical issues. The fact that this seems to be happening to so many people lately makes me feel way less crazy for being confused about it. I'm definitely going to try all the troubleshooting tips everyone mentioned - logout/login, clearing browser cache, checking from different devices, etc. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to become IT specialists just to check our own benefit status, but I'm so grateful this community exists to share these workarounds since EDD provides literally zero helpful information about their system problems. Will definitely post an update when my payment shows up properly or if I discover anything new through the process. This thread should honestly be pinned somewhere - it's more useful than EDD's entire help section!

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I've been following this thread and wanted to share a few additional free methods that have worked for me and others in my area. First, try calling the employer line at (888) 745-3886 and pressing 0 repeatedly - sometimes they'll transfer you to the regular unemployment department. Second, I discovered that calling exactly 15 minutes after the hour (like 8:15 AM, 9:15 AM, etc.) can sometimes catch a brief window when lines are less busy as people tend to call right on the hour. Also, if you have access to a work phone or business line, those sometimes get prioritized differently in the phone system. One last tip - download a call timer app and keep track of which methods and times work best for you personally, since everyone's experience can vary slightly. The most important thing is to keep trying these free methods rather than paying for services. It might take patience, but it's definitely possible to get through without spending money!

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Wow, thank you so much Liam for these additional tips! As someone who's been struggling to get through to for weeks, this thread has been incredibly helpful. I never would have thought about calling 15 minutes after the hour - that's such a smart observation about people calling right on the hour. I'm definitely going to try the employer line method you mentioned. I'm curious though - when you call the employer line and press 0 repeatedly, do you need to have any specific information ready in case they ask why you're calling that line? I want to be prepared so I don't waste the opportunity if I actually get through to someone. Also, has anyone had success with calling later in the day, like after 2 PM, or is morning really the only viable time? I appreciate everyone sharing these free alternatives - it's such a relief to know there are options that don't involve paying those expensive calling services!

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I've been reading through all these amazing free tips and wanted to add one more method that worked for me recently! Try calling the switchboard at (916) 654-8210 (their Sacramento office direct line) around 8:05-8:10 AM. When you get through, politely explain that you need help with your unemployment claim and ask if they can transfer you to the right department. I found the staff there to be more helpful and less overwhelmed than the main hotlines. Also, here's a game-changer: if you have a Google Voice number or can set one up for free, try calling from that - it's technically a different phone system and might bypass some of the busy signal issues. Another timing tip: Wednesday around 8:30 AM has been my sweet spot - not as crazy as Monday mornings but still early enough to beat the afternoon rush. Remember, every call attempt costs nothing but your time, so keep trying these free methods before considering any paid services!

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Just wanted to add that you should also keep documentation of everything - save the email or memo from your employer about the shutdown, take screenshots of your UI Online application, and keep records of any communication with EDD. If there are any issues later, having a paper trail will help resolve them much faster. Also, during your shutdown period, make sure you're genuinely available for work each day you certify - that means being able to accept temporary work if offered, even though you're expecting to return to your regular job. Good luck with your claim!

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This is really solid advice about keeping documentation! I'm definitely going to screenshot everything and save that company meeting email. One question - when you say "genuinely available for work," does that mean I need to actually apply for temp jobs during the shutdown? Or is it more about just being willing to work if something came up? I want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly since this is my first time filing.

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You need to be genuinely available and willing to work, but you don't necessarily have to actively apply for temp jobs every day. The key is that if a suitable temporary position was offered to you during the shutdown period, you'd be able to accept it. EDD typically requires that you conduct a reasonable job search (usually 3 work search activities per week), but for temporary layoffs with a definite return date, the requirements are often more flexible. When you certify each week, you'll report your work search activities - this could include things like updating your resume, checking job boards, or networking. Just be honest about what you're doing and make sure you could realistically start temporary work if needed. The main thing is showing you're not just using the time as a vacation.

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I went through almost the exact same situation two years ago when my small nonprofit shut down for the holidays without pay. Filed for UI benefits and it was approved without any issues. The whole "temporary layoff" classification worked perfectly since we had a definite return date. One tip that really helped me - when I called EDD to verify my claim status (which took forever to get through), the agent told me that small employers like yours often don't realize their employees can file for UI during unpaid shutdowns, so sometimes they're surprised when they get the notice. But like others said, it's totally legal and they can't retaliate. The hardest part honestly was just getting through to EDD on the phone if you need to talk to someone, but the online system worked fine for filing and certifying. Make sure you file ASAP since there's always processing time involved. Hope this helps ease your mind!

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Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing successfully. I'm feeling much more confident about filing now. Quick question - did your nonprofit employer seem okay with employees filing for UI, or were they caught off guard like you mentioned? I'm hoping my startup will be understanding, but since they're calling it a "company-wide holiday break" instead of acknowledging it's really a temporary layoff, I'm wondering if they realize people will be filing claims. Either way, sounds like I just need to be honest about the situation when I apply and not worry about their reaction since it's perfectly legal.

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My nonprofit was actually pretty understanding once they realized what was happening. At first our HR person seemed a bit confused when she got the EDD notice, but after I explained that unpaid shutdowns qualify as temporary layoffs, she said it made perfect sense and that she should have anticipated it. She even apologized for not giving us a heads up that we could file! I think the key thing is that smaller organizations just don't always think about UI implications when they make these decisions. Your startup calling it a "holiday break" is probably just their way of trying to make it sound less harsh, but the reality is you're not getting paid for work time - that's what matters to EDD. Don't stress about their reaction. Focus on protecting yourself financially, which is exactly what unemployment insurance is designed for. If anything, filing your claim might actually help them realize they need to plan better for future shutdowns or communicate more clearly about these situations.

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I'm brand new to this community and just discovered this incredible thread while desperately searching for help with my own EDD Money Network card closure! Like so many others here, my card was suddenly deactivated after I moved from California to Michigan, and I have about $3,200 trapped in the account. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and incredibly helpful. The detailed phone navigation steps from @helpfulEDDguy are exactly what I've been missing - I've been calling EDD for two weeks with no luck because I didn't know the right menu sequence. And @LeiliH's success story gives me so much hope that this can actually be resolved! It's absolutely mind-blowing how many people are dealing with this exact same issue with out-of-state moves triggering automatic account closures. The fact that EDD doesn't even send a warning before closing accounts is just cruel. But seeing how this community has figured out the system and created basically a step-by-step guide for getting through to actual humans who can help is amazing. I'm definitely going to try the 8:01am approach with those specific menu prompts tomorrow morning. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and solutions - this thread is honestly more helpful than anything I've found on EDD's official website! I'll report back with my results to hopefully add another success story to help future people dealing with this nightmare.

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Welcome to the community @StormChaser! Your situation sounds exactly like what so many of us have been through - it's almost like EDD has a specific system glitch that targets people who move out of state. The fact that you have $3,200 stuck in there and they just closed it without warning is infuriating, but you're definitely in the right place for actual solutions. This thread has basically become the unofficial EDD Money Network closure survival guide! The 8:01am strategy with @helpfulEDDguy's specific menu sequence really does seem to be the breakthrough method. I'm also planning to try it myself next week after my own card got mysteriously closed following my move to Texas. Please definitely report back with your results tomorrow - every success story helps validate the approach and gives hope to others who will inevitably find this thread when they're dealing with the same nightmare. It's amazing how this community has figured out what EDD's own customer service seems incapable of explaining clearly. Good luck with your call tomorrow morning!

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I'm completely new to this community but found this thread while frantically searching for help with my EDD Money Network card that was just closed yesterday! I moved from California to Arizona about 6 weeks ago and have been using the card regularly with no issues until suddenly it stopped working. When I called Money Network they said EDD requested the closure - exactly like what happened to @LeiliH. This entire thread has been like finding a treasure trove of actual solutions after hitting nothing but dead ends everywhere else. The step-by-step phone instructions from @helpfulEDDguy are incredible - I had no idea there was a specific menu sequence that actually works! And seeing @LeiliH's success story along with all the other people who've managed to get through gives me real hope that my $1,850 isn't just gone forever. It's absolutely insane how many people are dealing with this exact same situation. EDD clearly has a major systemic problem with out-of-state address changes triggering these automatic closures, yet they provide zero guidance about it on their website. The fact that this community has essentially had to reverse-engineer their phone system just to help people access their own earned benefits is both amazing and completely ridiculous. I'm definitely going to try the 8:01am approach tomorrow morning with those specific menu prompts. Thank you everyone for creating what's basically become the ultimate guide for navigating this EDD nightmare - this thread should honestly be required reading for anyone with EDD benefits who's planning to move out of state!

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