Thanks to the EDD, I am slowly losing my mind
Haunted by phones
Ahh, my first week of unemployment. Pure (ignorant) bliss. Still delighted to discover I was eligible for free money from the government, I boasted about filing for unemployment insurance benefits. I reveled in its simplicity. I daydreamed about receiving my checks in the mail. Well, I’m sad to report that those daydreams have now turned into one un-ending bureaucratic nightmare. Blog therapy may not be enough to cure the spiral of madness I now find myself in.
It all started out so innocently, so…effortlessly. I opened my claim online in less than an hour. Within days, I received my first worksheet (in case you are lucky enough to still have a job, this is a form you have to fill out every two weeks before getting your check). I happily ticked the boxes and sent it back.
But shortly afterwards, the cracks began to show. I got a letter saying my worksheet was “incomplete or incorrect”. I was sent a replacement form and asked to fill it out. I did so, under John’s wise, watchful eye (mind you, he had already received his first check at this point, so I trusted his judgment). He identified what he thought was the problem. Phew, I thought. Glad I got that one sorted out.
But within a week of sending in my replacement form, I received a two-line letter from the EDD saying my second form had also been “incomplete or incorrect” – still no hint as to the nature of my error. I was instructed to call their 1-800 number “immediately”. I had missed my opportunity to fill out any new worksheets. My future livelihood now depended on the efficacy of a toll free government service number. Things were not looking good.
Bear in mind I have now been unemployed for over two months, and have yet to receive my first check. My measly severance cannot carry me through. Funds are dwindling. Mom and dad are on speed dial. And too many San Francisco establishments are cash only.
Now, I understand that the unemployment offices are overloaded with patrons at this time. I don’t expect to be able to get through to someone on my first, second or third try. I’m a reasonably intelligent person, familiar with the notion of a bottleneck. So after calling the toll free number repeatedly, to no avail, I decided to attempt an in-person visit. I googled my nearest “unemployment office”. Nothing like a good old-fashioned face-to-face meeting to straighten out a silly misunderstanding!
Where is this fantasy "unemployment office"?
I had imagined long lines of disgruntled layoffees, people taking numbers, angry mobs, apathetic and/or defensive civil servants – SIGNS OF LIFE.
Instead, I found a shy receptionist (bless her heart), a couple overzealous security guards and room full of phones. There were a few desperate looking jobseekers sprinkled throughout this multi-purpose government office, but for the most part, it was empty. The receptionist informed me that there was no one I could speak to face-to-face about my issue. That this particular office did not house any unemployment insurance representatives or advisers – I am told there are no such offices in the city of San Francisco. This was simply a job center. They could, however, offer me my pick of telephones designated for calling the 1-800 number. I started laughing maniacally. Are you friggin KIDDING ME? A room full of phones? Believe it or not, I have a phone at home. Two in fact! Why would I drive to this office, pay for parking, and sign in to use a public (read: bacteria infested) telephone? I can do this just as well from my couch, while I watch Tyra and eat a gallon of ice cream in my onesie. No antiseptic necessary.
But being the curious person that I am, I decided to check out this telephone facility. After passing through two security guards and being forced to throw away my coffee (NO COFFEE NEAR THE PHONES), I was given the low down on efficient phone usage. It went something like this:
Officer: “Push English and it dials the number. If it says ‘thank you’, hang up and try again. You have not gotten through. If it says ‘welcome’, you have gotten through. Dial 12117 to quickly navigate through the menu and you might just speak to someone.”
Me: (not sure whether to laugh or cry) “I see. And what are my chances of success?”
Officer: (points to the pages of signatures on his clipboard) “Out of all these people who came in today, maybe 4 or 5 got through. They put in some serious time.”
Me: “Christ almighty. They don’t make it easy, do they.”
I begin to lose all hope. I try really hard not to take it out on this nice man, who, of course, is just doing his job.
Me: “But why come in here and call when I can call from home? I don’t understand this set-up – a room full of phones to dial the same useless automated service I have been cursing for weeks?”
Officer: “Well, every once in a while, someone ACTUALLY gets through. Then everyone waits nearby and when that person is done with their call, they hand the phone over to someone else.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. What might this preposterous scene look like? Grown men hovering around the golden ticket winner, waiting desperately for their turn. The golden ticket winner, upon completion of his call, crying: “Wait! Don’t hang up! SS# 459-99-0787 wants to speak to you too… I’m passing you over now… Byeeee. Muah.”
At this point I have to leave the building before I scream.
Still reeling from the experience, I drove home, determined not to lose all hope. When I got there, I began researching offices outside of San Francisco, where I might get to speak to someone face-to-face. I found one in my hometown of Sunnvyale, just 40 minutes south of here. It looked promising. I was pleased by my own persistence as I dialed their number to confirm which services they offered. But my self satisfaction quickly turned to disappointment.
Lady on the phone: “Nope, sorry. You can’t file a claim here or discuss your claim with anyone. In fact there is no way to speak to a representative in person anywhere in California. You just have to keep trying the 1-800 number. But we DO have a room of telephones you can use.”
MORE PHONES???? At this point, I want to reach into the receiver and punch this lady in the mouth. No wonder losing one’s job and losing one’s mind are so closely intertwined. I am beginning to understand why people throw themselves in front of trains or go on killing sprees.
Always an optimist though (and with an unhealthy dose of persistence), I have now resigned myself to calling the number until I get through (from the comfort of my own couch, of course). It may take days, weeks, months, a lifetime, even – but eventually, I will get through, right? I see no other alternative. I understand the need for a mutli-pronged approach. I plan to write to my local congresswoman. I will also send a detailed letter to the EDD. If needs be, I will hire a lawyer.
But in the meantime, I spend my days dialing the 1-800 number over and over and over again. Every once in a while, I get the ever-so-promising “welcome” message. I navigate through the menu options with a glimmer of hope, and the automated message tells me I am being put through to a representative. I am elated – but only temporarily. In the end, it turns out to be a sick inside joke, orchestrated by the evil robots at the EDD. A subsequent message says “we’re sorry, we can’t take your call at this time. Goodbye” and the robot rudely hangs up on me. So what do I do? I pick up the phone and begin the process again.
I dial the same number repeatedly – each time, hoping for a different result. Isn’t this the very definition of insanity? Consider this my cry for help.
P.S. For musings not related to unemployment, check out my new blog, Lipstick & Lemonade
Very funny but sadly true! FYI going to school or moving are going to be your next huge hassle.
Thank you SO much for this website and all the great information posted by everyone (especially the phone numbers)!
This is my second go-round with EDD. The first (over a year ago) went off without a hitch… filed online, letters came, cards were mailed in, checks arrived. No problems at all. For the 3 months or so that I needed UI, the system worked flawlessly.
However… this time around is another story. Like the first time, I filed online, received information from EDD in the mail, mailed in my first two-week claimant form, received a letter for a phone interview which took place exactly when they said it would.. and then, nothing. No check(s); no claim award letter; no denial of benefits;, not even a “go eff yourself” notice. Nothing!! Well then, I thought, just call ‘em. LOL!!! That automated line (the 866 number) had no information when “accessing my (your) records” and told me to call the 800 number. Called that and 95% of the time it’s the “high, scratchy” woman’s voice who says they can’t take my call. Tried again. And, again. And, AGAIN. Nothing. Sometimes the false hope of the “welcome” woman’s voice (deeper) but after plowing through the menu tree and thinking “I’m in”… nope! It’s the same “we’re too busy” to help you. Tease!!
I googled around and found this website (on the first page of the search results, no less!). First I read the loosing my mind story (mind boggling!). But the real wealth was in the comments section. Eventually I found the “local” 213 number (the other “local” numbers either rang endlessly or the live people who answered transferred me back into the queue — arrghh!!). The person who answered saw who my case rep (?) was and I got that person’s voice mail. Later the same day I got a call back from said person who, by that time, had gone ahead and issued my back checks (only a month and a half’s worth) and additional claimant cards that he suggested I mail back “immediately.” Very nice gentleman, very calm speaking, very reassuring and (most of all) very helpful! There are a few good people at EDD. So, I’ll be watching my mailbox over the next few days to see what arrives.
Folks, you HAVE TO stay on top of EDD. Don’t wait months before inquiring about what might have gone wrong. Call, call, call… and call again. The poster with the long list of addresses and phone numbers is where you should start first — forget those friggin’ 800/866 numbers. Email, as well (though, I’m still waiting for a response from that course of action). And follow their instructions to the letter. Don’t deviate. Don’t go outside the lines. Don’t think “you know better.” Read the cards; mark the cards in black ink; mark BOTH columns; SIGN and DATE the cards; mail them the day it says (yea, the post office is closed on Sundays — just do it!!). Once you can get the system to work for you, it does work pretty flawlessly. Just follow their instructions.
I feel for so many of you. I may be unemployed but I have a little money in the bank (very little) and haven’t fallen behind on rent, bills, etc. (no yet, anyway). So many more of you are in such desperate situations. I know this sounds hollow (it would to me), but do hang in there! Something will happen. It will. You can make it happen. Wish, pray, hope — whichever method works for you. But you can make it happen. It all starts with YOU.
PS: this must be the payback workers are getting after the late 90’s dot-com bubble when employers were bidding on us to come work for them. In these past few years, I’ve seen employers who almost relish the idea of playing god with who will come work for them and who won’t. Well, what goes around (and it has) will come around again. Workers will come out of this better off and in better positions than now.
Best of luck to everyone!
You seen that movie – Pursuit of Happyness? That’s literally what my life has turned into in Pursuit of Unemployment!
I’ve had multiple seizures in public (one driving on the freeway), been homeless, squatted in a house with no electricity for 2 months, and have lived off less than $2-3 a day for 7 months (my unemployment was formerly $1376/mo) due to a technicality! I went through EVERYTHING, every step to get my claim reinstated, even a free legal service that rejected my case. It took 6 months to get a hearing. I won my hearing (the judge sided with me). Its been a month since that – still no word – and the system has deteriorated to where they start every message with “Our system is unable to take calls” – at 8am!
I have very limited outside support, as a matter of fact I WAS outside support! If my very life depended on raising $1000 measly dollars (paper for chrissakes), I would be dead – really. I routinely choose between food, transportation and looking for a job; I do not have the resources for all three. I am a experienced organizer with a B.A in Economics and have applied for over 50 jobs and written over 25 coverletters. I have received all of 6 responses, and 3 interviews – missing the most promising one due to a grand mal seizure that morning. The Sacramento welfare system is overhauled and much worse for it – it took 3 months to get food stamps.
We joke about desparation, but seriously, how do you avoid extremist versions of survival? Will I have to resort to asking the same friends I have counseled not to sell drugs and find another way, to give me enough cocaine or pills to sell so I can make through the next few months – or die holding up my principles? I would rather die, but this question is very real to me.
Anyway, thank you for the opening to express some of what has gone on for me. I can really relate and feel your story; I wanted to give you the chance to see what insanity looks like 2 or 3 more steps down this path.
Sincerely,
Neal
Stay positive (or die!)
Neal, I feel for you man, I have no family, a daughter, and I was too outside support. I can’t say how many jobs I applied for, my industry, (construction) has been hit the hardest. 3 of the top 9 hardest hit occupations are all in construction.
So here is the thing, there’s nothing anyone can or really will do. The buracratic structure here in california is breaking down, I believe it won’t be too much longer before it all together crashes. The hardest part is that you come here, read stories, peoples rants, and you can almost see them finish their blogging, and settle back into the futon to catch some jerry springer. Nobody really wants to fix the situation, not the ones that are employed to do so, or the ones who supposedly will be devistated by delays or non-payment. You like me have to just deal with it because noone cares enough….
They will when the money just stops, but for you and me, it already has. I live in and abandoned garage as of 1-4-10 with my dog, I steal to eat… Welfare won’t help me, I have no address or family… Srry man, my advice… Don’t waste time here, prepare for the worst, it won’t hold a candle to how bad I believe its going to get…
The sky is falling… For real…
I tried the “magic tricks” of getting someone from edd on the phone right away and NONE of them worked. I’m not going to lie… it tooks hours, but if you have the patience this was the only way that worked for me!
I finally got through after two hours of trying to call EDD. I had changed my address and as a result was set up for a phone interview this morning. Unfortunately I missed the call by walking out of the room and was really upset at the thought of my payments being delayed further, or worst cancelled. I was determined to get through so I called the number and followed these steps to get through.
*If I heard “Thank you for calling” I immediately hung up and redialed
*If I heard “Welcome to” I immediately typed in 12117 and waited. Most of the time it said due to the number of calls we cannot take your call at this time.
*However I was able to get through twice (my phone dropped the first call – btw call from a land line if you can) in two hours and put on hold for a representative
*Once on the phone, I was sent through to my interviewer and able to leave a message on her personal voicemail, so I could leave a message to be called back.
I’m now waiting for the call, but at least now the efforts shown and they can’t stop my payments for not being able to reach me. You may have to do nothing but call and hang up for a hour straight, but if you really want to get ahold of them it’s definitely worth it. You will reach someone.
My purse was ripe off in Dec.my rent and bill money was in it.Came Jan My son social sucerity check got cut so was the lights and gas so the rent is two months behind Im a single mother and disabled were am I suppost to do I got a roomate to help my in feb but I”m 1500 behind what to do?
http://www.thinksketchdesign.com/2009/06/22/design/user-interface/the-ca-edd-unemployment-office-wall-of-silence-how-to-break-through-to-talk-to-a-real-person
DIRECTORY OF EDD EMPLOYEES.
RE: WON APPEALS – STILL WAITING FOR CHECK
I finally got through to EDD using the number from Kris…..213-744-2137. (Please don’t call the number unless you have won an appeals and awaiting your check)-
The live person who answered, did not have record that I won my appeals 30 DAYS AGO. He told me to Fax my copy of the Judges decision to THIS NUMBER 213 744-2586 (all 3 pages and make sure name is on each page)
Kris, thanks for sharing this info
Important NEWS:
On my 3rd day of calling, I finally reached someone at EDD. My last claim form has not been processed, and it has been almost 2 weeks since it was mailed in. I asked the representative what was going on since it had been over 10 days, and according to the “where’s my check” hotline, nothing was happening. Here’s where the bad news comes …
The representative told me that due to high workload volumes, EDD is NOW allowed to take 15 days (not 10) to process claim forms. So for those of you with delayed checks and claim forms, this may shed some light on the situation.
Hi Everyone! I’ve been reading everyone’s responses for the past week. It makes me feel better to know I’m not alone!! I have a question but cannot get an answer and thought someone out there might know. I’ve continued to try to get a response from a real person at EDD but no luck. I’ve also submitted my question via email but that was 2 weeks ago and still no response. Here’s my question….My husband filed for unemployment benefits the first week of Novemeber. He received claim forms to fill out and mail every other week. We fill out the claim forms and mail them in on each designated day. He does not receive a check but rather a notice each time saying that “no check payable….applied to disqualification”. He had an 8 week disqualification from a job he worked 2 years ago. Last week I mailed his claim form, one of the weeks was his final week of disqualification (week
and the other week was his 9th week which I assumed we would receive a check for. Instead, I have not received anything….not even a letter saying “you’ve completed your disqualification” or “here’s what you need to do next”. Has anyone had a similar experience???? Help!
I felt hopeful after faxing my appeals letter to the number listed in my llast entry. (see previous post) but today, after calling the 800 number to check status on my check, there has been no changes. The status is “there is no record of previous claim forms submitted’
I AM OWED OVER 12,000 AND I HAVE NO MONEY FOR 6 MONTHS. I AM BESIDE MYSELF AND GETTING MADDER AND MADDER BY EACH DAY THAT GOES BY
THIS IS BULL SHIT
But wait, there is MORE!!
On the RARE occassion you actually get past the second hurdle, you have about a 50% change of:
A: being put into a cue that will eventually ring a “secret phone” somewhere….at least I hope it is actually ringing somewhere
B: the line goes dead and then you are hung up on
I suggest filing online,faxing, or mailing your application by certified mail. Any of these should allow you documentation that your application was actually sent.
I have one thing to say: God bless this website!
Trish above…if you have a disqualifcation (called a false statement disqualifcation which is 2-15 weeks long) of 8 weeks, then you get no money for the 8 weeks. the first eligible week after the 8th week is also not paid because it is the mandatory (under Calif. law) the Waiting Period week everone must serve. sooo, you will get one check along with the next claim form for two weeks, then the two weeks are paid accordingly. hopefully the system will take out the flag preventing payment so the check can be issued. by the way, all the money in the claim is still there, unless you also have an overpayment ugh! then the state starts taking the money out of the claim to pay off the overpayment. do you remember is you had an overpayment too?
I have been having so many problems with edd, I have lost my mind. When obama ordered the new extension I filed for it online as instucted by edds site. I continued calling for 2 weeks getting through 2 days before christmas. I was told that my name kept dropping off the list and that they would keep gettin sacremento to file it for me. I continued to call week after week and was told the same thing 5 times to wait til next week and call back. Finally january 4th I spoke with a woman who said she didn’t know what was going on and that I qualifed but it still wasn’t filed, she promised to have someone call me, no one ever did. I sent emails 3 weeks ago. Last week I received a claim form for 1 week from 11-8. And a paper saying that one week was added to the second extension. I sent it in and they paid that, but where is the third extension? I sent an email and one response was one sentence and said the 4th extension is only 1 week. Huh? The next response said that I received all the extension and none were available. What? To top it off I received my 1099 form and it is wrong by 3000 bucks, they said they gave me money they didn’t. I keep very good records. I need help, this is horrible!
I have to say that reading all of the preceding posts gave me some degree of consolation and helpful suggestions. The best suggestion of all is to KEEP CALLING 1-800-300-5616!!
They say Mondays and Wednesdays are the busiest but, I just called today, Monday, and got through, to a live person – a NICE, live person who helped me with my issue. There is hope
I tried many times getting the message and dialing 12117 in succession but, for me this did not work. It may work for you however (even the helpful EDD person suggested doing this).
I waited for each prompt and hit each number in order #1, then 2, then 1, then 1 and finally 7. Be patient and be precise.
I had not checked one box on question #4 and I was sent a letter saying my claim was incomplete or incorrect. I corrected the new claim form and sent it back in immediately but, later received a letter stating that the corrected form was, you guessed it, incomplete or incorrect; and that I had to call the number if I wanted my unemployment benefit award. Um, you think?
Just wanted to relay my positive encouragement to anyone who may stumble upon this thread.
All the best to you!
Tom, thanks for the info! Right around the time I saw your response we got a call from EDD (YES, an actual person from EDD called our house to update us on the claim status….I know it’s unbelievable). Anyway, she told me the same thing….the 8 week disqualification was over and the 9th week served as a waiting period. My husband received his first check today. As for the overpayment, yes he had one but we paid it back when he was first notified a couple of years ago. Thanks again for the information!!
After being laid off I started to collect my unemployment benfits. I wanted to attend school so I went down to the EDD office and asked if I could stay on my benefits and they said no problem (she even gave me her card). Once started school I notified EDD through my claim form what I did. All of a sudden my checks stopped and was schedule for a phone interview (12/18/09) Finally, today I find out that I don’t qualify to stay on my benefits. I already took out my student loan and finished my first term of nursing school. What can I do now?
I found another secret number to contact a live person able to access claims.. it’s 1(909)383-4662.. I told them my california assembly person gave it to me
… Try it!! It works!
when you go into the EDD you have to remember that it is not an unemployment insurance office, it is a job office, so they always do not inform you of the facts. additionally, the people working at the job service office are not always EDD staff (believe it or not). when you go to school you can go at night if you normally work day hours to show them it would not affect your job search. if you go to school full time, you must be able to complete the entire school program within 52 weeks. full time is 12 units or 20 hours/week. seems your choice is to finish school (no UI); appeal (wait for a hearing, about 4-5 months), drop school and reopen the claim (you would need another phone interview to show them you dropped school. the edd will never tell you that you can go to school and qualify without having the phone interview first. the program is called CTB, California Training Benefits if you want to look it up.
This website has kept me sane throughout the past few awful months.
My question is, how much longer before my payments run out? I’ve picked up a little freelance here and there (which I dutifully claimed) but I’m still not working. It looks like the industry I work in might be picking up a little. : ( I hope.
But I’ve received 52 weeks of payments plus 12 weeks. I don’t know what tier or extension I’m on as I’ve received so many forms and paperwork that it blows my mind.
Am I almost out of benefits? I read that we can get 79 weeks. Or even 99? But according to my claim form I only have about 4 more weeks? Or is there an extension I haven’t yet received that I will be eligible for? I’m not having to report job searches so I guess I’m not on the Fed Ed yet.
I’ve been to the website and can’t figure it out. And I’ve been all over the internet. It’s so confusing. Of course, how many weeks I have before the bottom drops out is important information. I’m supporting a household and I have to prepare them.
Anybody know?
Thanks.
mobile systems:
I am so naive in my optimism. I got my phone interview. And yes, I will still get my full 3rd extension. That is after they researched the date I recovered. I documented that my recovery date was 12/10/2009. But had to wait for an appointment date for my doctor on 1/5/2010 to relay this to him. However, they wrote him a letter asking him to verify my recovery date. He stated I was released on 1/5/2010. What the heck could I do to deal with this since I couldn’t get an appointment with him until 1/5/2010? When I talked to the person at the telephone interview, they questioned my recovery date. I had returned 2 checks back to Disability, but Disability told EDD that I had only returned 1 check. So back to waiting again. What I did was finally establise with them it was a question of what date I would be eligible for my 3rd extension to start. They said I would hear from them in a week. It just keeps going on. I got a letter from Disability before I got the phone interview. They said since I recovered on 12/10/2009, and was paid through 12/16/2009, I had to pay back the whole 2 week period instead of 4 days, 12/10/2009 through 12/16/2009. Go figure. So if the date of recovery is established at 1/5/2010, how long will it take to get my first check? I can see it will be forms to be filled out every 2 weeks until they get from 11/8/2009 to 1/5/2010. Then another ten days before I get a check.
On top of this I was told by an employer that I would be offered employment for a contract job once I got my background interview and fingerprints. I had already paid $28. to receive the background check from them and send it back since they were in such a hurry to get it because it was late Friday, and I had to send it over the weekend.
I have been contacting the person doing the actually hiring and every time I have talked to her, she tells me she will call back, will offer me a job once the background interview is conducted, but never has. Also tells me she will get the person who does the orientation to call me back. She has never called me back one time. This has been going on all of the month of January. So as you have experienced, we are not only at the mercy of EDD but employers who play these little games with us.
I am glad you were able to get some reprieve with your rent. By the time these people get through with us, all of our brains will be smooth as a marble. I don’t know what to say or believe anymore. And if you are 50 or over, you are dead in the water as far as finding a job.
Trish,
Yes i have the same experience as you are having.
The EDD is paying out checks but is now so far behind in their work
that we taxpaying suckers have to wait … and wait….and wait…
and wait more time for our checks to arrive.
I have dealt with the EDD for many years because I am a seasonal
worker. This is the worst time I have ever witnessed in my life
with more unemployed people that I can believe, and No, you’re not alone! Keep your patience if you can! I have just about given up!
Thanks for the help! I kept hitting redial and the 12217 trick and finally reached someone (after about 45 minutes). What a relief!
Just be patient!!!