Can't reach California Unemployment? Claimyr connects you to a live EDD agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
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!
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 :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
This thread has been so helpful! I'm dealing with a locked account right now and it's reassuring to see that so many people have been through this and found solutions. I've been locked out for about 12 hours now, so I'm going to try waiting the full 24 hours first like many of you suggested. If that doesn't work, I'll definitely try the incognito browser window and different internet connection approach that @Ava Hernandez mentioned - that sounds really thorough. It's frustrating that we have to become tech experts just to access our unemployment benefits, but I'm grateful for this community sharing all these workarounds. Will update if I discover anything new in my troubleshooting process!
Hey @Hugo Kass, hang in there! I just went through this exact same nightmare last week and it's so stressful when you're already dealing with unemployment stuff. The 24-hour wait really does seem to be the most reliable solution based on what I've read here. While you're waiting, maybe screenshot or write down all these tips from this thread so you have them ready if the automatic unlock doesn't work. One thing I learned is to double-check that you're not confusing any of those tricky characters in your password (like 0 vs O or 1 vs l) - apparently that's super common with the EDD system. Good luck and definitely update us on what works for you! This community has been a lifesaver for navigating all the EDD quirks.
Adding to all the great advice here - I work in IT and deal with government systems regularly. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that EDD's account lockout system actually has multiple tiers. The first lockout (after 3-5 failed attempts) is usually 24 hours like everyone said. But if you get locked out multiple times within a short period, it can escalate to 72 hours or even require manual intervention by EDD staff. Also, for anyone still struggling with this, try accessing UI Online during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) when their servers are less loaded. The system is more stable then and less likely to glitch during the login process. I've noticed their authentication servers sometimes time out during peak hours which can trigger false lockouts even with correct credentials. And definitely second the advice about password managers - but make sure to test your saved password in a private browsing window first before your actual certification day, just to be safe!
Join the conversation
UPDATE: Finally got an answer! I took the advice here and sent a message through Contact EDD in UI Online. It took 6 days, but they responded with my exact penalty week count (5 weeks total) and told me I've already served 2 of them. They also mentioned they're working on adding this information to the UI Online dashboard in a future update. For anyone else with this issue - definitely use the Contact EDD messaging feature and specifically ask "How many total penalty weeks have been assessed on my claim and how many have I served so far?
Great news! Thanks for updating the thread with what worked. This will definitely help others facing the same issue. And it's encouraging to hear they're planning to add this information to the dashboard in the future.
This is such a common issue and it's crazy that EDD doesn't make this basic information easily accessible! I'm dealing with penalty weeks right now too after a similar overpayment situation. Based on what I've learned from this thread, I'm going to try the Contact EDD messaging approach since calling seems like a nightmare. It's really helpful to see that @Ravi got a response in 6 days with the exact count - that gives me hope! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions.
@Javier, you're absolutely right that this should be basic information that's easily accessible! I went through this same frustrating process a few months ago. One tip that might help speed things up - when you message EDD, be very specific in your question like Ravi mentioned. I initially sent a vague message asking about my "penalty status" and got a generic response that didn't help. When I followed up with the exact wording about "total penalty weeks assessed and how many served," I got a much clearer answer. Also, try to message early in the week (Monday/Tuesday) as I noticed faster response times then. Good luck!
Join the conversation
This whole thread is such a lifesaver! I'm bookmarking it because I know I'll probably run into this issue again. The EDD website seems to break in new and creative ways every few months. One thing I wanted to add - if you're still having trouble after trying all these solutions, don't forget that you can also visit a local America's Job Center of California (AJCC) office if there's one near you. They have computers and staff who can help you log in and certify in person. I had to do this once when their system was down for days and I was about to miss my certification window. Not the most convenient option, but it's there as a last resort. Really appreciate everyone sharing their workarounds - this community is way more helpful than EDD's actual tech support!
That's such a great point about the AJCC offices! I had no idea they could help with UI Online issues - that's definitely worth knowing as a backup option. It's honestly sad that we need so many workarounds just to access basic unemployment services, but I'm really grateful for threads like this where everyone shares what actually works. The fact that this community provides better tech support than EDD's official channels says everything about the state of their system. Thanks for mentioning the in-person option - I'm sure that could be a lifesaver for people who aren't as tech-savvy or don't have multiple devices to try!
I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been trying to log in for the past two days and it just sits on that loading screen forever. I've tried everything - different browsers, clearing cache, restarting my computer, even tried on my phone with mobile data. Nothing works! My certification deadline is this weekend and I'm starting to panic. Thank you everyone for sharing all these solutions - I'm going to try the early morning approach and incognito mode first thing tomorrow. It's so frustrating that we have to become IT experts just to access our benefits. Really appreciate this community for actually providing helpful solutions when EDD's own support is useless!
Hey Luca! I just went through this same nightmare last week and I know exactly how stressful it is when you're running up against your deadline. One additional thing that worked for me that I haven't seen mentioned yet - try completely logging out of any other EDD services first (like if you have SDI or PFL accounts open in other tabs). Sometimes their system gets confused if you're logged into multiple EDD portals simultaneously. Also, if you have a VPN running, definitely turn that off - the EDD system really doesn't play well with VPNs. The early morning trick that worked for Nia is definitely your best bet though. I set my alarm for 5:30am and got right in on the first try. Hang in there - you'll get through this! And remember, even if you can't get in online, the TeleCert phone line is always there as backup.
Don't panic, Luca! I've been there and it's incredibly stressful, but you have several good options. Since you mentioned trying mobile data already, here's something else that helped me - try switching to a completely different internet connection if possible (maybe a friend's wifi or a coffee shop). Sometimes EDD's system has issues with specific ISPs. Also, when you try the early morning approach tomorrow, make sure to wait the full 2 minutes that Andre mentioned even if it looks frozen - I almost gave up after 30 seconds but it eventually loaded. If all else fails and you're running out of time, definitely use TeleCert at 1-866-333-4606. The phone system is clunky but it works when the website doesn't. You've got multiple backup plans, so try not to stress too much!
Join the conversation
This thread has been an absolute game-changer! I just stumbled across it while researching severance and EDD benefits after getting laid off from my software development position two weeks ago. I've been anxiously waiting to hear about a potential severance package from my former employer, and honestly, I was losing sleep over how it might mess up my unemployment benefits. Reading through @Madison King's entire journey - from the initial worry to proactively calling EDD and getting official confirmation - has given me such a clear roadmap for how to handle this situation. The release agreement distinction is something I never would have even thought to consider, but it seems like that's the critical factor that determines everything. What really impressed me is how this evolved from one person's specific question into this comprehensive guide that covers every possible scenario. From success stories to temporary hiccups to more complex situations, the range of real experiences shared here shows that the system does generally work when you're honest and prepared with documentation. I'm definitely planning to follow Madison's approach and call EDD proactively if my severance comes through, rather than waiting and hoping for the best. Having them note the situation in my account ahead of time seems like such a smart preventative step. This thread should honestly be stickied as a reference - it's exactly the kind of practical, real-world guidance that makes navigating unemployment benefits so much less intimidating for newcomers like me!
@Amun-Ra Azra This thread has honestly been a lifesaver for so many of us! I m'also pretty new to the unemployment system just (started my claim last month after my consulting firm had layoffs and) was completely clueless about how severance payments work with EDD benefits. The release agreement insight that everyone s'discussed is absolutely crucial - I had no idea that the specific structure of your severance could make such a huge difference in how it s'treated. What really stands out to me is how @Madison King turned what started as a personal concern into this amazing resource for the entire community. Getting that official EDD confirmation and sharing it back with everyone was incredibly generous and helpful. The proactive approach of calling ahead and getting everything documented in your account is brilliant advice that I m definitely'keeping in mind. This whole discussion has made me feel so much more confident about navigating the EDD system. Having real people share their actual experiences both smooth (and bumpy is worth) so much more than trying to decode those confusing official guidelines alone. If I end up in a severance situation, I now know exactly what steps to take thanks to everyone here!
This thread has been absolutely incredible to follow! I just got laid off from my project management role three weeks ago and have been anxiously waiting to hear about a potential severance package. Reading through everyone's experiences here - especially @Madison King's thorough journey from initial concern to getting official EDD confirmation - has been such a huge relief. The release agreement distinction is completely new information to me and seems to be the critical factor in how EDD treats severance payments. I had no idea that the specific language and structure of your severance contract could make such a massive difference in whether it affects your unemployment benefits or not. What really impresses me about this discussion is how it evolved from one person's worried question into this comprehensive guide that covers pretty much every scenario you might encounter. The range of experiences shared - from smooth processes to temporary complications that eventually resolved correctly - really shows that being transparent and having proper documentation usually leads to the right outcome. I'm definitely planning to follow Madison's proactive approach and call EDD before my severance potentially arrives, rather than waiting and stressing about it afterward. Getting everything noted in my account ahead of time seems like such a smart move to avoid any unnecessary complications. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences and outcomes. This is exactly the kind of community knowledge that makes navigating unemployment benefits so much less scary for those of us who are new to the system. I'm bookmarking this thread as my go-to reference!
@Lydia Bailey This whole thread really has become the definitive guide for severance and EDD benefits! As someone who just started my unemployment claim after getting laid off from my customer service management position, I was completely in the dark about how severance payments could impact benefits. The release agreement distinction that everyone s'highlighted is such crucial information - I never would have thought that the specific contract language could be the deciding factor. What s'really amazing is how @Madison King s proactive'approach created this step-by-step blueprint for the rest of us. Getting EDD to note everything in the account beforehand is such smart advice. Reading through all the different outcomes people had - from quick resolutions to temporary pending periods - has made me feel so much more prepared if I face a similar situation. This community knowledge is pure gold for navigating these confusing systems!
Bruno Simmons
Just wanted to update everyone - my payment finally came through about an hour ago! Took almost 2 full days but it's there. For anyone still waiting, definitely don't panic if your UI Online shows 'paid' status. The Money Network delays seem to be random but they do eventually process. I was stressing so hard about rent but everything worked out. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helped knowing I wasn't the only one dealing with this!
0 coins
Zainab Ali
•So glad yours came through! I'm new here and was getting really worried reading about all these delays. My certification just got approved yesterday and I'm supposed to get my first payment soon. It's reassuring to hear that even when there are delays, the money does eventually show up. Thanks for updating us - it really helps newcomers like me know what to expect!
0 coins
Alice Fleming
I'm dealing with the same issue! Been on EDD for about 2 months now and this is the first time my payment hasn't arrived on the usual Monday schedule. My status shows 'paid' as of yesterday but still no deposit on my Money Network card. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful - sounds like these delays happen occasionally due to system maintenance. I'll wait until tomorrow before panicking, but it's definitely stressful when you're counting on that money for bills. Thanks everyone for sharing your situations, it makes me feel less alone in this!
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•I'm in the exact same boat as you! This is my first delay after getting payments consistently for about 6 weeks. It's so nerve-wracking when you're depending on it, especially with bills coming up. But after reading everyone's posts here, I feel much better knowing this is a known issue that resolves itself. The system maintenance explanation makes total sense. Hopefully both of our payments show up tomorrow! It's definitely comforting to know we're not alone in this situation.
0 coins