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
Just thought i would weigh in with my experience.
I was not getting thru. I tried three days until it occurred to me to do some research on the web for hints at getting thru. It is no exaggeration to say I tried calling at least a hundred times. Okay, I used redial, but you know what I mean.
Anyway. I came across this site and found the 12117 trick.
Basically, as soon as you hear “thank you. . .” hang up and redial.
As soon as you hear, “welcome. . .” hit 12117.
It is true that this did not work the first 3 or 4 times I tried it, but then it DID WORK!
I got put on hold for 7 minutes.
I was able to speak to an operator.
I got my claim back on track. (long boring story)
Now if I could only find a job!
Thanks to those who posted the suggestions.
YOU SAVED MY SANITY! (Not to mention helped me pay my bills!)
Anyone who has had a similar situation to this PLEASE reply.
I have been receiving UI since 10/08 without a hitch. I had been filling out my job search on the back every week (although the box wasn’t checked regarding filing out the job search on the reverse) and returning my claim on time without a hitch. I had spoken to a close friend who is also receiving UI who said unless the obx is check, you needn’t fill out the job search. He went on to say that he has been receiving UI since last July and has yet to fill that section out as the box has yet to be checked. Following his advice, I elected not to fill the job search section as I always had and instead of receiving a check, I received a “Telephone Interview” notice. It mentioned nothing regarding my failure to completing the back, it merely stated that I have been scheduled am interview and that I must keep this appointment as it can affect my benefit payments. Then it goes on to say “Benefits cannot be paid until you are determined eligible and your continued claim form is received. This is the ONLY correspondence I have received from them and nothing regarding my last claim form. Any thoughts or similar scenarios would sure help. Thanks in advance to you all and to everyone here: I wish you the BEST in your quest to obtain your UI checks.
An update to my prior post…
So then on this form, I basically wrote down this time that same reason for it being late and mailed it in. If that is turned down (again) then I will have to go to some EDD court and have a hearing… UNBELIEVABLE! I mean, it were anything else but just a little lateness for the claim then I would understand (sort of). Ugh. Anyone, anyone? Help here…. Money disappearing quickly from bank account…
I had my phone interview. The EDD person asked when I mailed the claim form and why it was late. She was ’short’ and did not want an explanation.. she seemed focused on the date it was mailed. The thing is that it was received just a few days late and this is why I’m being denied the my insurance that is owed to me..! GGrrrrr! So she said that I would either receive a check in the mail or a letter denying my continued claim within 10 days. Guess which one I got!
James
Hey James! I mailed in my continued claim form just today 04/14/2009. I usually do it on Mondays but I only received my check yesterday 04/13/2009. How many days late were you?
can someone please give me some tips.
I recently just received my first unemployment check, and lost the survey that im supposed to mail back, I’ve been told I won’t get another check untill I mail it in, and I haven’t been able to talk to an operator on the edd 1800#
can someone please give me some tips to fix this problem. you can email me at biggblak74@aol.com with your response please.
Hey Stephen,
Me and my ex-coworker were having the same issue, regarding filling out the back part of the job search. I tried to google anywhere else with no luck, but most people told me just fill it out just in case. I even mark X on the box myself – the one that says, if marked “X” please fill out section B on job search. (I was a little paranoid that might trigger a mistake).
Because another ex-coworker make a mistake , totally different mistake ; she mark instead of filling the “yes no” boxes. She got another continued claim form, she filled it out but did not fill out the job search history at the back. Few days ago she got another letter for phone interview, which will be on April,27.
It will be 7 weeks for her.
Anyway , i just got my check today (6 days after mailing my first continued claim form and exactly 3 weeks from the date when i first file my claim). I think I will fill out the way I fill out the first time regardless what everybody told me to do.
I am going out of my freaking mind, I mailed a form on April 6th to the EDD office, they allegedly sent the check to me on April 8th, 2009. I still have not recieved as of 4/22/09. Im losing my mind.
I took DMS’ advice (the first reply) and it worked well for me. I received a letter stating that my UI claim form was “incomplete or incorrect” and that I should immediately call the 800 number. The letter didn’t specify what was wrong, so I called to find out. I tenaciously kept speed dialing, hanging up, speed dialing, hanging up, etc, etc, until I heard “welcome” instead of “thank you. Then I dial 12117. The first time I did this, I got a message saying that too many people were on hold and to try back later. Unphased, I just went through the process again, and the second time I got put on hold for a few minutes and eventually was able to speak with a human. I was calm and courteous when I spoke to him, he detected that was not being hostile with him and, in turn, was pleasant with me. We got the problem resolved quickly.
I’ve been on unemployment, laid off in 2006, have never filled out section B. If the box is not mark, you don’t have to fill out section B on the back of the claim form.
To m holt and anyone else who lost their claim form and needing a new one… go here…
https://eapply4ui.edd.ca.gov/eddcomm/asp/frmEDDCOMM.aspx
click on “select category” >Unemployment Insurance Benefits>Select Topic>Claim Form-Need Replacement Form. This will enable you to let the EDD know that you lost your form and to send you a new one.
hope this helps.
Just found your article after Googling for information about EDD.
I recently moved out of state and am still collecting unemployment benefits from California. Talk about horrible – I can’t even get through to the call center when needed and sometimes checks take 7 or 8 days to reach me (including holidays and Sundays, that is).
I also had a similar problem to yours involving filling out the form incorrectly. That’s why I haven’t received an EDD check since around the beginning of April. They sent my most recent one this past Tuesday (which is good and bad – good because I’ll just get another one coming to me soon, since today is the last day of my next claim) – but bad because it didn’t come in the mail today and now I have to wait until Monday.
That sucks for various reasons including the fact that I’m flat broke, I owe my roommate rent (he’s usually cool about stuff like this but once in a while..he freaks out a bit), and I need bus tokens and other things to get around the new city I live in to look for a job. Coupled with the fact that my girlfriend is away on a conference all weekend this weekend, it’s going to be another weekend where, thanks to EDD, I get nothing accomplished and end up sitting at home, looking on the Internet for easier ways to get through to EDD. Apparently their call center is open from 10am-2pm Pacific time on Saturdays now. Let’s see how long it takes me to get through to someone in, oh, about 15 minutes.
I can’t stand it when I think I’m being sent through to an operator and it just hangs up on me. A little trick I found out – when I just need general check information like “did you guys get it?” or etc….is calling 1-800-795-0193. That’s another line for them. Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm Pacific time. Hit 120 after the lady welcomes you. They can’t file claims over the phone and sometimes will transfer you to the extenstion-to-nowhere, but they’ve been helpful with quick, worrisome questions of mine (like where the heck is my check!!!)
I’ve been unemployed almost 5 months now. I can’t wait to find a job. I can’t wait until I don’t have to be standing out on my front porch Saturday mornings (usually the day of the week my check arrives – well – that’ll change now since everything is screwed up) looking for the mailman who either shows up at 12:30 in the afternoon or 4:30.
Aloysius Cummings said:
“I am going out of my freaking mind, I mailed a form on April 6th to the EDD office, they allegedly sent the check to me on April 8th, 2009. I still have not recieved as of 4/22/09. Im losing my mind.”
I think something is going on over there! I’m still waiting for my claim ending 4/11/09 check to arrive (it should have arrived today as it was sent 4/21/09…but it didn’t, the mail already went by and I spoke with the letter carrier and usually mail from Northern California to where I live takes 4 days..one time it took 3 and I was so overjoyed…but now we’re going to hit 5 business days on Monday and if I don’t get my check then, I will lose my freaking mind). Again, I feel living out of state is causing this.
Their call center is open on Saturdays now at 10 am Pacific…I’m gonna try it in a few minutes.
You know, if they added like a credit card or direct deposit (like a LOT of states are starting to do for UI) – a lot of this mess wouldn’t even be happening. For as environmentally-conscious as California is, they sure like to waste a LOT of paper and trees.
Charles Parker said:
“I just got through! Five days of on-again/off-again attempts. ADVICE: Dialing 12117 immediately after hearing the “Welcome” word is a must. I had filed for benefits and got 3 checks and then nothing. Turns out I sent in my form TOO EARLY (the one where you fill in the boxes and fill in the back listing where you have looked for a job) and they wouldn not process it!!!! So when I got through, they processed it over the phone. Good luck to everyone!”
That happened to me once, too. It was one of the first bad experiences I had with EDD. Now I make sure my checks are sent on time, on the date you’re supposed to send them, and I still am having problems.
Tania: Did you remember to sign the form?
Fukc edd & C.A thanks to them end this month loosing home car and mybe child. work to hard to get dick around wit state. maybe i should pull a sick on them and go out like birds flying into tall structure….
This how crazy how c,A got me. loosing my mind they seem not to care about our own people but keep on saying soon and may be next month youll get your funds… well, next month will be 7months wit out no help or funds available to me..feels like i got hit by a bus few times and let me and my child die slower then Chinese torches crap.
i’m a single dad wit a 10 year old child living with me and experiencing hard times since the state acts like there is nothing wrong and your family is ok. no matter what you say to edd and even when they hear a grown man cry for help with anything they just keep on mentally killing myself and my daughters life with a dark black future of excellence in HELL. How do they want me to survive when i’m not at fault of our economical down fall? I bet Gorge W. Bush hasn’t felt the down fall of America unless he figures taking a “BIG SHIT” on a twenty thousand $$$$’s toilet bowl full of golden American pride is consider to him a sudden economic financial hardship since he whips his white SHITY ASS with California’s Green toilet papers with out getting his shit on ether hands.
“for any one that reads this figure out what i mean and trying to say but other then that if you under stand or even know what the state is making me loose beside my family and mind or if you been unemployed and hit hard by the down fall economy and haven’t got any help within government/ California’s assistance you’ll understand what i am saying and going threw. “
Thank you for your helpful advice on how to tackle this nightmare. Mine’s just beginning. Received the phone call interview letter instead of my check this week. I got through tonight using the 12117 Welcome tactic. However, Vanessa said she could not help me. Said she was the “call center” and that they were closing up. I have to call again tomorrow. We’ll see what happens next. Thanks for your help on here! At least I got some glimpse of hope.
Yeah, and to make matters worse, if you call in on their new Saturday hours – they “can’t access your claim”.
I finally got my check. And since it took so damn long to get it, I have another one coming soon.
But I think I may be getting a job offer soon. Cross your fingers for me. It’s for a $7.25/hr job at 40 hours a week. Which is far more than I’m getting from unemployed.
Rather have a small meal than famish.
Oh and your 12117 trick worked like a charm.
thank you for the postings… the 12117 trick worked great for us. after speaking with some rude retarded rep. (maybe we should apply to work for cal edd because apparently they hire anyone hehe) anyway, we asked to speak with someone else which to our suprise was extremely helpful so i hope its all sorted out… we’ll see but a big thank you for these posts.
Does anyone know if when EDD mentions the 10 day turnaround for checks, does this mean 10 business or calendar days?
Also, if you are up against a wall with problems with your claims, put your local CA assemblyperson to work for you and contact them. They may be able to help, usually they have a contact in Sacramento with the EDD.
Does anyone know the answer to the following ?:
I was laid off back in December 08. I collected a week’s worth of
unemployment. My claim is inactive because I was hired as a temporary employee.
I have been a temp at the same place for about 5 months.
I would like to quit this temp job and move back to Southern California where I can stay with family and focus on looking for a full time job down there. The cost of living is killing me in the bay area and it’s really hard to sign a lease when I don’t know if this temp job is going to hold up.
Will Edd let me reopen my claim?
Or if I were to leave this temp job in San Francisco for a temp job in Southern California and if I were laid off due to lack of work could I reopen my claim?
thanks for your help:)
As you first dial this number,as you go through the prompts that apply to you, write the numbers of the prompts down on a piece of paper so you can recall the #’s for next time. If you do not get through your first time, hit redial, and as soon as the first question is asked punch in the numbers you wrote down,ex. 2,1,1,2,3. If you get your call
will be anwsered in the order received hang tight if not hang up, hit redial, and re put in your #’s and see what you get!? good luck
Yea… apparently, you aren’t allowed to do side jobs. I am an IT contractor, so there are a lot of “small” jobs that last 1-3 days at most. They are letigitmate, they do get taxed and what not. On the form it says list ANY sources of income. And if I don’t state these small jobs, I will be investigated (or so I was reading some fine print on the form). I did my part and apparently I’m not allowed to work these “side” jobs lol. I learned my lesson. I just won’t put it on the form that I worked at all. Take THAT EDD. haha. My phone interview notice will be in the mail this week, as per the person I talked to (which by the way had a strong accent that i couldn’t tell whether she was saying personal or social # in the beginning). I get a phone interview because I’m trying to keep a steady flow of money so I don’t have to rely on this UI check. Strange… lol I’m being punished for working.
So here is my experience with the EDD which went from frustrating to GOOD because of the info I got on this blog.
I was laid off on 4/10/09.
I filled out my claim info online on that day, end of day.
It took nearly 10 business days to finally get something back which I filled out promptly.
Now, the form IS somewhat confusing.
Ok so the little squares, do not X them, fill them in.
But, the part where it asks if you looked for work…..that box you X, not fill in.
My problem was I X’d all of them and then realized my mistake, so I filled them in over the X’s. I knew this would end up bad. I also took the time to fill out EVERY job applied for and all the info which Im now finding as long as you put something down , you dont need every line filled out. Some people dont fill it out at all.
So about 7 days after I mail my form in, i get a letter with a new form stating I made a mistake on the first one. They will not tell you what the mistake is. I began filling it out this morning and realized I filled in a square as “no” when it should have been yes. This was in regards to if I made any money or took any work in that time period. I had a 2 day temp assignment that ended and they WILL find that info out so I was suppose to fill in “yes” and filled in no instead.
I was on the phone with EDD by 8am and by then, the phone system was already to capacity.
I seriously could have screamed loud enough for EDD to hear me from my desk. I then began searching the net for blogs and found this one. I used the 12117 trick and got through the second time!
This was a blessing because I figured if I just sent this one in, it could take another 7 days to get another form and then another 10 to get paid.
When I got through to the EDD, to my surprise, the woman was polite and actually was able to look up my info and tell me what mistake I made on the first form! I also explained to her I made a mistake on the new form they sent out. She was able to verbally ask me a question , stating the box I filled in wasnt dark enough for the machine to process the first time. Once I told her the answer to that question, she said EDD will be mailing my check out immediately.
coll f’n beans.
I hope I gets me that check soon because bills are piling up!
So lesson is-
use the phone trick.
If you mess up on the form, get through and ask if they can complete it over the phone instead of sending out another form.
It may just work.
The EDD is a total cluster and they definitely do make it tough for you to get your claim. Be persistant. This money is OURS. We paid into it , like it or not. Get some of it back folks.
More of the same here, I was laid off on April 8,2009 and immediately filled out the on-line UI forms. Only today May 4,2009 did I get a phone interview only to tell them that I was laid off, I guess writing it on the form a month earlier did no good. I also filled out the weekly work sheet incorrectly with no response as to which of the multitude of lines it was on.
What a friggin joke the EDD is, I understand that their overrun with calls (which Verision charges $0.05 for to the EDD) but I’ve worked everyday of my life since graduating high school and I cant get a little help when I need it…….????
Wow, dialing 12117 immediately after hearing “welcome” worked! I was connected within seconds to a person who told me that my form was received today and my check would be going out tomorrow. I have tried for days to get info for the claim form that I mailed on April 20.
Had my phone interview on May 4,09 and got a check in the mail today 3 days later!!! The NICE lady said it could take up to ten days and I said I understand that they are overrun with calls and working there must be non-stop and she said thanks for understanding. Well today I got my first check and hopefully I will fill out the continued claim for correctly.
Ok one more thing that pisses me off about the EDD. Why do I have to use a stamp on your envelope? I am the one that doesn’t have an unlimited bureaucratic budget.
Note to self: THIS IS HOW THE GOVERNMENT RUNS THINGS. This is exactly why we DONT want the government to run healthcare, banking & private indrustries. Would I go to In & Out to get a burger… or to a government-run burger stand??? The government costs twice as much (our money) and does things half as efficiently… if it gets done at all.
Just a tip to anyone whose balance is running out before their claim expires…
You’ll be getting a form in the mail on the same day or the day after your last check (which will be half of what you usually get)….to fill out and continue your claim.
I was told by like a zillion different people at EDD that I’d have to redo my claim online but your first extension is automatically updated, giving you another 20 weeks of unemployment.
Yes, I’ve exhausted my 26 weeks already. Sad state of an economy we are in.
12117 UPDATE-
As of this mornin, the 12117 trick wont work for me………..it seems to just not affect the system at all. anyone else with this issue?
Try calling 1-408-436-5603 to talk to a EDD rep. I had to call the number a few times but I got through. I did not receive a claim form with my check but was told a claim form would be sent in the mail this week. Apparently there was a problem with the claim forms since this is a Fed extension and not a regular extension. I guess the systme wasn’t set up for the Fed extension claim forms.
I never got through on the 1-800 number. Call 1-408-436-5603
valerie~
i too did not receive a claim form with my check on monday (and it was the first check from my extension). do I need to call and make sure that they send me a claim form or are they automatically sent because of the flaw in the EDD system?
thanks to anyone who can help!
I had to leave a comment saying this story totally sums up what my husband and I are going through. We however have been dealing with them for a year now and have had every experience you can think of. (Hubby went to school blah blah blah.) Anyway hang in there don’t lose your mind completely someday it will get better! LOL! We can hope.
Write to every lackie politician you can, bombard them valid complaints. We all pay outrageous taxes in this joke state for basically nothing. The illegal locusts have sucked LA dry.
thank goodness i found this website! i received my last check on 05/05 and didn’t receive a new claim form with it. i assumed it would arrive a day or two later with my second check but noooooo! no new claim form. no second check.
after waiting a few days, i attempted to call the 800 number 10-15 times a day for about 2 more days before I got through to a representative. while the woman was very polite, it was all i could do to keep from screaming at her. Me “i need to know what the status of my claim is?” Rep “we do not have access to your claim status.” Me “this is the EDD, yes?” Rep “yes but all we can do is send an email request to have someone contact you within the next 5-7 business days regarding the status of your claim” Me “a*#Y$U*#(*@*! okey dokes.”
soooo… today is the 7th business day and nobody has called or emailed me. i was thinking about going in person to the EDD office only to discover that there is no such thing as an EDD office. it’s awesome.
how about the state of california does me a solid and hires me to reorganize this mess?
Upon being approved for UI, I received a notice informing me of my “requirement to register for work with CalJobs” which I did. The next notice received informed me of my “requirement to attend an initial workshop” realizing it was on the same day & time as my son’s Dr.’s appointment with a specialist which was booked 2 months ahead of time, I contacted the CalJobs rep, who said I needed to contact EDD thru the famous 1-800 number. After several attempts I did get through explained the situation and was told the appt’s are computer generated when I requested another date and at worse it would only affect 1 wk of benefits. After mailing my last form in instead of a much needed and expected check I received a notice of a “telephone interview” scheduled 26 days after I mailed in my claim form. Apparently the words “may affect your benefit payments” actually means “you have no benefit payments until after the telephone interview” Ironic the last letter used the words “to expediite the process” have the required information ready. EXPEDITE, are they smoking crack? This experience has left me frustrated, angry and scared.Quickly causing me to lose my mind. I think all of us know first hand why Calif is in the financial shape its in. On a positive note I cant tell how comforting(in a very sick way)it was to find out I was not alone in the “EDD nightmare”
Still trying to get my third extension processed. Called someone today at 1-408-436-5603 and they said they don’t know when it will be processed. It’s been well over 5 weeks that I have not received anything. I am so tired of this. You can’t get a straight answer from anyone. Don’t they know that we the people of CA have bills to pay? Are losing our homes, homeless, 2-5 months behind on rent and don’t let me tell you about the credit card debt. Also if you call the 800 number you can dial 140 instead of 12117 it’s faster.
i spent three days trying to get someone on the phone using the 800 number. found a number to san jose edd (408)436-5603. talked to someone on first try and got check three days later. but they admitted there is no place in california where you can speak personally to an edd representative
Can anyone help me out with a question? I’ve been going to companies to drop off my resume and actually waited for the manager/owner to come out after work to try and get myself an interview. They all say the same thing, “send your resume through our website.” So I do and now it seems that I have to document all the jobs I’ve applied for in “section B” on the back of the fed ed extension. Fine. Not a problem BUT here is my question…
They want a “company name” and a “contact” for each job applied to. If we did it on a website or emailed it to the company, we don’t (99 out of a 100 times…) get a contact and many times, especially if it’s Craigslist, the company’s name isn’t listed as well. (for obvious reasons on their end.) So, I ask, does anyone have any experience in filling this form out and what should I put down in place of the company “name” and “contact”?
Thanks!
I feel sorry for everyone here. I was turned down for benefits back in February for b.s. Cali EDD is the only state that withholds unemployment benefits UNTIL they hear back from the employer. If the employer wants to fight it, you will receive NOTHING.
Also, after reading all of the comments here and on other sites about Cali EDD, I’ve come to the conclusion that California is BROKE. Everything that’s happening to everyone is just a delay tactic to withhold money, because they don’t have it.
Good luck to everyone and I hope you figure out a way out of your situation, because if you sit around waiting for Cali unemployment to help you, then you might as well find a space in one of the many tent cities that are popping up all over the place. May God watch over you and peace find you.
The fed ed extension has nothing to do with California, only the first and second extenstions. The last one, the fed ed is federal. That have to give it out if someone’s been approved for the 1st and 2nd extensions.
George: I use Monster.com for my searches. They will keep track of all places you apply to. They also send you an e-mail with all the information you need to fill out back of the form (company you applied to, date, contact person….) If there’s no name for a contact person I just put in H.R. (Human Rescources).
Oh my! I am just getting scared and paranoid about whole thing. I am going to need to file my first extension and for the life of me, I can’t find a straight answer on their website…and don’t get me started on the 800 number.
So if anyone has had experience with this, is it better to keep on calling? or do I wait until I get my last check and hope and pray that I get that extension form?
Like everyone here, I have rent to pay, utilities, bills, children, etc…I don’t want to mess with things in regard to EDD.
Please, any information you have would be soooooo appreciated!!
I somehow have not had a problem. I filed a claim online on the day my benefits ran out. It is the same claim form as you file the first time. I didn’t trust that they would automatically send the extension. I had no breaks in benefits between the end of the regular benefits and the start of the extension. Don’t know if it was necessary to refile but I did it anyway to be safe. Same for my husband – he refiled just to be safe (terrible to both be out of work at the same time). He got a letter confirming the first extension; I didn’t but it was a few weeks earlier – maybe the process changed in that time. Good luck
i was originally laid off 3/2008 and got a job immediately and did not need UI, however was terminated(wrongfully so) 11/2008. I have just received the appeal decision in MY FAVOR, and that I should get benefits. However I have not received claims forms in over a month. And, as most state, you cant get through to the number. Do I need to reopen my claim? Is it adjusted to the 11/2008 date? Or will I just not receive benefits for after 3/2009 even though I was terminated just 6 months ago?
Please help!
i been through the same with edd. i just recieved one edd check after 2 months of phone calls to them. after the one check they want to interview me again about a job i had? doesnt make sense. now they are holding my checks until i do my second interview about that job. too bad my interview is a month away and it takes additional 10 days to find out decision. im on my last few bucks here and bills are not getting paid. now i have to somehow survive for the next 2 more months with no money. oh yea i have 6 year old daughter. i pay good taxes when i had work to pay for services like this. but when its my time to ask for help they give me road blocks after road blocks. I love ca and i believe in our govt. but FUCK! seems like the little people cant catch a FUCKING break. we just get buried for going through the system correctly and not complaining? i rather be a RICH ass hole! being nice gets you no where. especially in CA
Thank all of you for the little tricks. I have been attempting to call EDD all day. Actually, I did get through once and someone called me back. But as I was waiting for yet another call back, an hour and a half since I was told, I fell upon the site. I did not have to use the 12117 trick. However, I did call that alternate number, hit 120 and got through. I am shocked. Thanks you so much.
Write to every congressman, senator, etc…..write, email, call, write email, call endlessly. This is a farce and a complete disgrace. People waiting for checks, BS holds, telephone hangups, thick accented govt. “employees” who input wrong data. The runaround. STOP PAYING TAXES, FIRE THE IMBECILIC POLITICIANS. THE CA EDD IS A COMPLETE FARCE.