Tips and Tricks: Getting Through to California’s EDD, Sanity in Tact
Back in January, I posted Thanks to the EDD, I’m Slowly Losing My Mind.
It chronicled my infuriating experience with California’s unemployment office. I shared my frustration at not being sent my first unemployment check, two months after filing my claim. I highlighted my disbelief at being told to call a 1-800 number, then spending weeks dialing it… in vain.
And I soon came to realize I wasn’t alone.
Comment after comment, readers shared their own stories. They gave tips and tricks for getting past the automated phone system. They LOL-ed at the preposterousness of the situation (and probably cried quietly to themselves). Six months later, the comments section of that post is still alive and kicking.
So if you find yourself jobless, checkless and at the wrong end of an EDD phone call, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s what we’ve learned from our community since the story went live:
- Keep your resume with CalJobs up to date.
- You did know you needed to post your resume on CalJobs, right?
- Make sure you fill out both columns on the right hand side of the form (some people, I’m told, overlook one of the columns; alright fine, it was me, but the lady on the phone assured me it happens a lot)
- Make photocopies of your claim form, in case you make a mistake on one or in case they stop sending them to you.
- Make sure the check boxes are dark. Form is read by computers.
- There is no unemployment office in California, at least no office that allows you to speak to an adviser face-to-face. All contact is by phone, mail and email. But mostly it’s by Scantron sheets from the late 70s.
- If you’re unlucky enough to have to call them (lost form, problem on form, etc), dial 12117 as soon as you hear “welcome”. Our readers swear by it.
- Still can’t get through? Try the Vietnamese line: 1-800-547-2058. It’s got less traffic than the other lines and the person who picks up will be bilingual, and will have to speak to you in English. I know at least two people who this worked for.
- Calling 223 times in one day is not unusual, and no guarantee you will get through.
- Still can’t get through by phone? Go here, and send them a message. You’ll receive a reference number by email. Keep it!
- They don’t have downloadable bi-weekly claim forms online. That would be too efficient. But you can request to have a new one sent to you. Go here. Click on “select category” >Unemployment Insurance Benefits>Select Topic>Claim Form-Need Replacement Form.
- Stay on top of them like “you’re managing a bunch of kindergartners”
Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed to our forum, sharing tips and generally supporting one another. And if you have any other suggestions or stories, please continue to share them!
Sometimes it’s just a relief to know that other people are going through the same maddening experience. And that if you are losing your mind (as I was), it really is thanks to the EDD.
P.S. For musings not related to unemployment, check out my new blog, Lipstick & Lemonade
I have tried all this week to get thru in order to reopen my claim. Even went down in the pouring rain to the local so called “office” to use their phones. No luck.
A person there suggested that I try dialing 130 at the “welcome” prompt which I did. I got “Taneesha” who had no interest in helping me at all. Ms. Taneesha informed me that she did not have access to my files. I asked what I thought was a logical question:
“How can you help me if you don’t have my file?”
This was the wrong thing to ask. You do NOT question Ms. Taneesha. Ms. Taneesha up and hung up on me.
Will try the tricks you suggested come Monday.
Thanks
I have the same problem as Simone. Everything was on schedule for last two months of 2009. Then January 2010 comes around and I have not seen any benefits. I have not changed any of my routine or anything like that. What gives? Trying to get someone on the phone, even an automated response is next to impossible. My theroy is the state is broke and “things happen”. HELP! Mortgage due soon……
steve, if the automated ck info informs you that the money is sent that means that a check has been cut. the checks are created after midnight so if it says 01/21 the check was cut the night before and mailed out on 01/21. when I called the line I expect the check to arrive within 5 days because the postal service then has the responsibilty of getting the check to me and I know they are sometimes very slow with my mail. you will probably get two checks which looks like 4 weeks.
Trocaria why do you even try to call them to reopen the claim….seems all you will get is a very long hold time. if you have a computer just reopen the claim on line (EApply4UI). if you don’t want to go through all the questions on the automated form, you should try the paper application, DE 1101. it is the same application but much easier and just as fast as the computer application. remember that claims begin on Sunday, so if you wait until monday to file, then you will miss out on a week of benefits. file by saturday to get this week!
I heard that if you filed a claim in 2009 and it ran out you don’t get any of the extensions. Does anyone know if this is true?
Thanks Tom, i appreciate your answer. Unemployment definitely needs to step their game up. If they switched their system to email verification and direct deposit it would ease many Americans mind and save the state millions on paper, postage and complaints.
I also have had questions, with only an automated voice promising a real person, only to disconnect me while I wait. Have also sent unanswered e-mails. This is my point. Every person who has tried to deal with U.I.B. has been given the runaround and some will never get anything. Now tell me you want the government to run Health Care. When I call my new Government run Insurance provider will I actually speak to someone, or will I have to find a blog like this and just right a post about how I dislike it and some trick I’ve learned to maybe talk to someone, just once in 2000 calls. Ask yourself that..
No wonder CA is broke!!! Ineficient, outdated, and lame!!! Why aren’t they posting forms online???? inability to reach a live person to talk to is inexcuseable….I thought DMV was bad!!!
To Linda: I too ran out of my 2nd extension, last form, no claim form, just check, said I am eligible for another extension, it will be automatically filed for me. No action is needed on your part. It is now Jan. 25 and nothing.. I finally got through on a Edd appeal number and she said she could not help me, just an operator and she would try and put me through to someone who could, but and this is bull, a lady told me also that she could not fix it because she was in a different office than the one that was handling my claim and that a REQUEST was made for my third extension on 1-11-10, and there had not be ANY activity on my claim since then… She also said I must call the 800 # and speak to someone.. And that I may have fallen into the Cracks..What does that mean? GRRR.. She did however say she could send me some claim forms for the weeks I have missed and by that time maybe my claim would be authorized.. Crap, maybe not? I am going to call my congressman, not that it will do any good.. Just feed up with this crap.. I haven’t received any money since Jan 2, 2010, No money, no food, no work… We as unemployed Americans really need to put our heads together and figure out how to change the Edd. They should all be fired and left waiting on their unemployment checks!
I am at the end of the 3rd extension, the first Federal Extension that was approved, which would put me into the 4th tier that was approved in Nov 09. I filed my last claim form for the period ending 1/2/2010 and hadn’t received a check as of 1/22/2010. I called the self help line and no check had been paid, I called the Adjudication Center in San Diego where the Adjusters are (NOTE) the number people, you always get through. (619) 525-4995.
I spoke to an adjuster and she said I was “flagged” for the quarter for earnings check? I have not earned any $ since 7/08 at last job. I asked her to allow me to speak with her supervisor, she sent me to a kind speaking man and he further elaborated that, my claim as have many others were “flagged” for potential overpayment since the “December” claims form docile created a lot of over payment to others. Not me, others. I got my last check today, and stub says I qualify for another extension. But, he instructed me to file another claim online, so I did last week, (he told me claimants were slipping through the cracks, he told me he sees “SEES” claims that need to be corrected SITTING THERE and he Does nothing. He said that some claimants that reapply after they have exhausted the Fed Extensions are receiving less than what was being paid prior?
The law that is written for the Federal Extensions applies to those of us who have been unemployed in excess of 1 year or as the dates are specified for qualification. He was incorrect with the information he provided.
But, my point is with all of this confusion, he told me claimants are being dropped of the system and placed into incorrect status, which is what is triggering the letters for a phone call that is unnecessary, and DELAYS.
I am not sure how I will pay rent, bills, eat? I actually interviewed for a job I hope to get, but if I get the job I may not be able to get the 50+ miles to work. I pray that they change the way things are being handled, and I had a Senator look into mine, and I think they made the problem worse?
I hope everyone here makes it, I have always worked hard for employers, and always get screwed over, but still try, the game is ridiculous. One last thing I thought was ironic, the manager I interviewed with (over the phone) for a potential job, asked me, so what have you been doing since 7/08? he said, “don’t tell me you haven’t been working for all this time. I was intelligent with my answer, but wanted to say have you been paying attention to the status of the job opportunities in California.
Anyway I am trying not to think about what might happen to me, staying optimistic
california unemployment division sucks!!!You call and call, then when your conected you get terminated. When you email, they don”t reply.They suck.!!!! We should start a class action law suite against the state of california for this crime against the unemployed citizens of california. I am in diarstraits
Kathy. you sound like me . I have had it!! They are so frustrating!! I’m on 38 days without any reply. They need to go to court like anyone else, and be prosecuted for crimes against the people of the state of california. These people who would intentionally rob someone of their money that they are owed are the true criminals of the state!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hiya,
The tip on dialing 12117 after hearing the word “Welcome…” was a Godsend. I was able to get through after trying for two hours today. Thanks so much.
Another question / comment. Does anyone have any tips on the eligibility interview? I worked for a company for a week while collecting unemployment.
Although I did mention on the weekly claim that I was working, EDD is now refusing to pay my benefits until I have a phone interview in two weeks.
On all claim forms, I have indicated whether I’ve worked part-time or full-time for the week, etc. However, I worked for one employer for a week.
Does anyone have any tips / feedback / shared experience on this?
Thanks.
I have experienced every thing I have read on this and other websites.
My problem, I was told times 2 that I was eligible for the 3rd extension. At the end of the 2nd extension I was told I was no longer eligible because I did not have 40 x base weeks. Just as I was getting to a point where my bills were getting paid and I was going to pay for some related training, my transmission went out. So if I lost my truck, I would be completely dead as far as transportation if I got a job. (A job, what a dreamer.)I put it on my card not knowing how it was going to be paid. As all of you know, trying to get answers is impossible. At a point in October I was stressed so badly with all their tricks to not pay, I became depressed for a while and filed for disability. But recovered for only a few weeks. I was only getting 119 a week, but my UI benefits were 363 a week. Late in December I got a letter stating I was approved for the 3rd extension and mailed claim forms. I know you cannot get disability and UI at the same time. But I figured that since this was their making, with no information from anywhere, they could have deducted the 119 from the 363. So when I received the lesser amount of disability I would lose the whole 363 after collecting 119. There was no way I could fill these forms out correctly or get answers on how to resolve this. When the forms were sent back to be filled out again, no response. Now I have a telephone interview on Feb 06. Tell me how anyone could deal with EDD, if you could talk to them, in a logical way about this. The questions that they are going to ask seem intimidating. Since they created this mess, they don’t have to be responsible. No help from the Assembly person this time.
What they are doing is criminal, manipulative, and uncaring about the devastating ways this is affecting peoples lives.
Who would want to file a class action suit against them? I would. But who else would join in. If you think about it, what they are doing to many thousands of people is criminal. There is no accountability from them. There are just too big of an entity. And Government oversite? Give me a break. I just don’t know what the answer is. They have us in a pit that we can’t crawl out of. And if you think all the horrendous things they are doing now, what are going to happen next? The control over us now is immense. What makes you think they are not going to push us all the way down. I feel like I am in the Burmuda Triangle. What is going to happen to us. There is no way to turn.
I really feel for all of you that are experiencing this government entity taking our lives aways. Definitely no rights for the people of this country.
When I start to pray about what is happening to me, I think of the tremendous numbers of others that are experiencing the assualt on their very lives, so don’t know what to think. I feel a lot of us are in shock and are so stressed, it is hard to start thinking how are going to survive?
The power they hold over now is exceedingly serious.
in response to Lois Sherman, I think that you might be in a “dual payment” situation, and I stress “I think”. They will see it one way, you were or tried to collect from both, even if they made the mistake sending you the forms. They will want you to have completely stopped the Disability first before you can apply for UI, I hate to say this to you. I think you were better off on the UI before you went onto DIS. I think you need to get a kind adjuster on the phone and or call the people at the overpayment department, they are more skilled and will know where you are really at and why they won’t pay you. Hang on! I listed the San Diego Adjudication number above, when you call there inform the operator that you were instructed to call the number.
Mobilesystems:
Thank you very much for your reply. I have established that I am no longer receiving Disability benefits. In fact they sent me 2 more checks which I have returned. I filed for the disability after I could go no further getting answers about why my 3rd extension was denied. After my last call when I went to the Metro Career Center to call EDD and was told point blank, you are denied,is when I fell into a rut. Then after getting the letter that I was eligible for the 3rd extension and received the claim forms, there was no way of answering that I did not work or being able to communicate with them that I had received the disability benefits since there was no way for me to get information on anything. I had actually hit a down period from which I recovered. I know what you say about their thinking that I was trying to collect both. I am very aware that you cannot get both. As to the point of staying on the UI, I was flatly denied. However, sending an appeal to them probably was my downfall. I guess my filing an appeal was a way of not staying with the system as you say.
How in the world did you get this phone number? That is amazing. And they actually answer? You are so kind to personally answer my post and give me this information. I just couldn’t fathom that any one would be able to figure out what was going on. I was surely at the point that I couldn’t. Thank God for the support of good friends to help me along the way, and yourself giving me help.
So in your efforts to get help with your call, was anything mentioned about getting your problem resolved? Are you now waiting to hear from them or a telephone interview? You mentioned 50+ miles to get to work if you are hired. Is that round trip? I am wishing the best for you, me and all the rest. Standing up for ourselves is almost hopeless. Of all the posts I have read here and elsewhere, I see a lot of manipulation. I am hoping we can hang on and have our problems resolved. That was funny, and clueless of your interviewer. The attitude I am going with now, prepare for what I will do in the event I am denied again. Right now, that seems kind of funny. So what would I be able to do?
Ok everyone,
This is what will happen if you are going into your 4th extension, DELAYS
I just spoke to EDD and once have exhausted your last extension claims (my 3rd). They will automatically refile your extension, mind you this is a 1 week extension added onto the 2nd extension. They claim that they will refile, the FedED 4th Tier after you send back the claim form for the 1week.
Well guess what, I am already 3weeks behind on the checks now, I won’t be paying rent on time for sure.
What the F does this do for anyone? makes more problems.
I understand that once the 1 week from the 2nd extension is exhausted, then the 4th Tier of up to 20 weeks will kick in, hope I live long enough to see that, I am stressing right now.
In fact that is all I do Stress about how to make it. Hope this information helps and for the Extension information, they told me not to use the (619) 525-4995 number. You have to call the (800) 300-4606 and use the 12117 code to get through. I was able to get someone at the (619) # to explain all this to me.
Peace
I have been trying to fund out if my late check has been sent, and called automated phone line but forgot my pn number. Hasd this ever happen to anyone else. I am frantic. How can I get a new pin.
my check is 1 week late, i figure ok no problem, everyone fucks up now n again. i call about 900 times and finally get through at just the end of my break. i have 3 weeks of unemployment coming my way since i just started work again. now on the phone the lady says oh it appears ADT security a job you ended in may 2008 has contested your eligibility.
1. i have never worked for ADT.
2. 2008 is long past the time any employer has to contest eligibility.
3. my current claim has nothing to do with 2008.
“hmm yeah i’ll transfer you to the investigating dept.” i say, “but i have to go back to work my break is over, can you send me the info in the mail or get them to call me back?”
the lady hung up on me.
I too am one of the millions of people that have fallen through the crack.
My lest check… December 18, 2009. I had $2,000+ remaining in my account.
I was told my account was depleted and that I would “automatically” be filed for
an extension. It is January 28th, 2010, a month later. I attempt to speak to a soul
but all I get is a voicemail that hasn’t been updated since the President has sent us
our funds.
I’m going to go on CitizenTube and ask this question via YouTube. What else can I do?
mobilesystems:
Finally got some information. I called the numbers you had posted above. They in turn told me to call (714) 687-4400. (Have you called this number?) I talked to a lovely person who told me I would have to wait for my telephone interview. The good news is, although I might have my benefits delayed to the time I recovered, I would not lose any money. I would still get all the money from my 3rd extension, just delayed for the time I received Disability benefits.
Heard anything about your job interview?
I did not know there were so many phone numbers out there, and thank you ever so much for guiding me on my way and preventing me from going out to see if I could find any ropes on sale. You have done such a big thing for me. This stress has affected me so severely from the pain of a previously stabilized condition.
I have read your most recent post and I am so sorry to know you have gotten to that “awful Point,” and that ironically you have led me to a place of healing. I have hope that things will turn out for you quickly. I hope that you can figure out a way to pay your rent until (I assume) things get better.
One of the things that broke me down, was going to the Metro Career Center and being able to call EDD directly being told “you are DENIED” and being read off a lot of dates, and amounts of UI benefits I have received. I broke down crying (put my sunglasses on) and someone called the manager who was very kind. I ended up not only with $75 dollars for food from Ralph’s, a gas card for $75 to continue my job search to the Metro Career Centers, and also a voucher to pay for the smog check on my truck. Get thee down to one of those places. Ask for Support Services. You may have to go to an orientation to get a member number. This did not solve my problems with denying me until I get I get the phone interview. But as you have experienced, and others caught up in this system how insane it is, anything can happen if you don’t finally commit homicide and end up in Alcatraz. OOPs, that’s closed. Just trying to give you back some of the hope and help you have given to me.
I also just love what the one person who posted “fire all the EDD employees (walking around in their black power suits) and let them wait for their unemployments checks.” Proper compensation for past injustices…Vincent Price. What a wonderful fantasy.
Thank you everyone for your tips and tricks and specially to Tania Khadder for posting this blog. I haven’t received a check since December 9th last year and as you can understand, I am hurting so much right now. I live in San Jose area and I have been in and out of the Unemployment Office located on Bascom Ave. several times these two months. The personnel has been very kind and they always have tried to help me the best possible. Last time they put me on their phone to talk to somebody who told me that “the USPS has been screwing up, and people haven’t received claim forms or checks so that messed their system” (blame on others but – Oh well! what else is expected, right?) then she have mailed to me four claim forms to bring me up-to-date on my checks that I completed and sent on January 19th as requested. But still, I haven’t received anything anyways! so this blog for me has been trully a Godsend!
This morning I decided to place a call to the Adjustments Center in San Diego mentioned above (619) 525-4995 and here is my contribution to this blog that I hope helps:
People in Northern CA – call San Bernardino Adjustments Center @ (909) 383-4661
My call went through actually fairly quick and I could talk to this lady who explained to me that it seems that I worked for some period of time last year (which is so not true so I am in shock!) and they are trying to verify that information with my “employer”. My checks are on hold because of this absurd situation and she told me that there is absolutely NOTHING I can do at this point but to wait and see what Sacramento will decide for my case. (?)
Call San Bernardino today, maybe at least you can get information on what “the situation” with you is.
God Bless everyone!
I am on my first extension with more than $3,000 remaining. I have not recieved any payments for year 2010. However, I have received the following (all mailed in separate envelopes): (1) A Re-Employment and Eligibility Assessment Appointment; (2) A notice of overpayment of $14 from last summer when I worked part-time; (3) A notice of redermination of their decision from last October excusing the $14 overpayment and seeking penalties; and (4) A continued claim with a check stub for $0 amount. I guess they thought I needed a little salt in my wound.
Anyway, like everyone else I have been trying to call their 800 number. I submitted a e-mail last week (no reply). I finally got through on the 800 number using the 1-3-0 method only to have a representative tell me that there was no one available to take my call. She took my information, gave me a reference number, and said some one would call me back. Well, guess what? That was 3 days ago. I see that Mia listed a telephone number for folks living in Northern CA. Does any one have a number for us in Southern CA?
I did speak with a very nice representative in the overpayment department who told me I was eligible for benefits and that the overpayment issue was not related to the check for $0 amount. So what gives? She said I would have to call the 800#.
Has anybody else gotten a check for $0 amount? Any advice? Open to any suggestions.
Thank you.
You guys, thank you so much for the information you’ve posted. I followed your tips and after weeks and unstoppable attempts I was finally able to get through, in a matter of minutes after following your recommendations. I couldn’t believe it, I actually got through and talked to someone live in my first attempt!! I have been waiting for a response to my claim for weeks. They had the wrong address!! Thank you all and I hope we all can get our problems worked out.
The inefficiency of the UI system is in proportion the number of people receiving benefits. Just reading the daily newspapers and various web sites one can determine that in California there are probably over 400,000 people receiving some type of UI benefits. When you think about the phone calls that generates I can really see the frustration of tring to get through to have a simple question answered. I don’t even try anymore. From having had various interviews with the EDD there are many types of offices and not all do the same thing. The adjudication centers determine if you quit or fired for cause or not, but they do not file claims or work the normal claim forms. The authorization ctrs only pay and deal with the problem forms. The call centers file claims and pay claim forms. UI and DI are totally separate systems, so one can’t answer questions about the other. I also thought about the emails going to them. How many can actually done in a day’s time? How many people can answer the phone, file a claim application, answer an email and pay claims in a day? Sounds like working in quicksand. When I got my extensions I found out that they are filed automatically, but certain flags on the claim automatically will delay the next one from being filed. If you worked and have available money in the new base period then your claim will be delayed. Each quarter a flag notifies the workers to check the wages in your claim so see if you can file a new claim (which will drop you from the extension totally or temporarily). Not all extensions are created equal. It depends if the extension is from the feds or the state. Last of all, the extensions are filed by yet another office so it depends how many staff that office has. There will be no quick fix. None of your state representatives wanted to update the old computer system because it takes real money. When this recession hit, no one was ready. The feds who actually pay for the unemployment we all receive don’t want to give the state any more money because they squandered it. someone suggested going to the
Career Centers a good place to start. But they don’t do UI they can only offer the use of a phone or computer to contact UI. If you call it is best to try before 10 a.m. You may get through to a UI person, but then again your contact may be one of the “helpers” hired to take a message (which gets placed on the email list). As long a most of us get a check we are happy, but when there is a problem…..well that is what this blog site is all about, isn’t it? Good luck all.
Lorinda, call 619-525-4995. They’re in San Diego.
Thank you Carl. They’re gone for the day now. I’ve give them a call on Monday and report back.
Lorlinda
I have not recieved a check since early december 2009. I read this blog this morning and will try the 12117 trick on Monday morning. I tried to have my mail temporarly forwarded while I saw my folks for Xmas. Well usps made a mess of things and they say they might have returned my EDD back to sender or they never saw it. Either way they don’t have records of such things.
I was on my second extension with at least $800 more to go before my third extension would be filed. I sent written letters to EDD explaining that all I had done was temporarily forwarded my mail but had not made a permanate move. Well after numerous unanswered calls and no response to my emails or written letters I am at my wits end.
Anyone who wants to contact me about a class action suit is welcome.
I always report any work I get (I work in motion pictures in Los Angles) and I always send my forms back promptly. Last year I had my mail forwarded and my check got to my temporary out of state address so what the f ??????
Other states have debit card type accounts why hasn’t California at least tried to keep up??
Why am I being bent over the barrel with everone else here we work hard and when we lost our jobs and needed help the state makes job hunting easier by making a mess of EDD checks??
well at least I can try the phone trick on Monday thank god for a Ray of light!
This is for Mia and others who are being told by EDD that their stellar records show they “worked” for someone during a quarter and that is why they are being flagged…
A big red flag called ID THEFT just comes to mind. Back in my second to last job, I had to verify employee records. I noticed time and again that some employees would all be using the same SS #. They would pass it around like a common beer bong.
The employer would do nothing claiming that this was not their job to police the employees and besides, they can always go back to the same corner and get more just like them, ect.
What I am saying is that MAYBE, your SS# has been used illegally by someone for employment purposes thus making it look like you had a job when you did not. I would watch this very carefully and perhaps do a credit check pronto.
Good Luc with EDD.
BTW, yes, oh hell yes, I would gladly enter into a class action suit against these weasels!
I’ve been on the phone all morning trying to get something resolved. I tried the 12117 trick, but I just get a recorded voice mssg that the EDD is receiving too many calls. They babble for two minutes and then disconnect.
I worked freelance for someone. I do this as often as I can and always report it on my continued claim form. As an independant contractor, I am not an employee of these people. Yet, EDD sent some sort of letter to one of the people I did work for. She is furious with me as she thinks I reported her as an employer and placed an unemployment claim against her. Yikes! How could they think this?
Not only does this kabash any chance of this woman giving me more work in the future, but I’m really scared about what it going on.
Anybody have any ideas? I sent them an email as soon as I found out this weekend, but I really want to get this cleared up. I have no idea how this woman might react to the letter she received from EDD. She won’t return my phone calls.
AnnH – are you waiting for the “Welcome” before you enter 12117? There’s 2 recordings, one that says “welcome” and the other is “Thank You”. Didn’t realize this until someone posted it here awhile back. Monday’s are really busy so don’t give up. The code has worked for me so far. Good Luck!
Diane. Thankyou! I did wait for the ‘Welcome’ but it did no good. However, I called the San Diego number that was provided above and I GOT THROUGH!
The very nice person there told me that if you list income on the claim form, which I do whenever I pick up a little something, they will sometimes think the person is an employer (even though I am registered as an independant contractor with the EDD, my claim is based on real employment from a year and a half ago.)
According to the EDD guy, all my friend has to do is send them the letter back telling them I’m an independent contractor. Unfortunately I don’t know if she is doing this or not because getting a letter from the EDD seems to have freaked her out and she isn’t speaking to me.
Still, it wasn’t as awful as I’d feared. They’ve almost caught up to me on claims as well. I hadn’t received anything since October, but in the past week I got 6 weeks of claim forms. Good thing my mom sent us some money last month or we wouldn’t have made it. Meanwhile, I hear around town that things are picking up.
I just want a real job.
Hang in there everyone! And thanks so much for all your help!
To AnnH and all who work freelance. when you work freelance (indep. contrator, etc). DO NOT list the party you worked with as the last employer on the claim form. instead you must state in the employer field, ” self-employed” or “free lance” and the wages. do not forget to state the reason no longer working, “work completed”, “no other work available”. in some cases the EDD will schedule a telephone interview when a person is working free lance, so be prepared. should you call and get in, then tell the person you made a mistake on the claim form by putting the name of the person you worked for as the employer.the record can be corrected over the phone.
i received all the forms no check though …i keep getting claim forms to continue,but yet have not received no check…can any one relate to my issue?
O.K. I am totally confused now…I filed my claim in 2008 I then was called back to work. I went it turned out to be only temporary. Then reopened the claim. I then exhausted the original claim and got a CA extension. Then they told me I had to file for a second claim. It is exhausted. I received the last check no claim form was attached but it stated I may be eligible for and extension and that I would be notified. I then received a claim form for one week. Then a check again with no claim form. I am wondering if this means I am now waiting for the 4th tier extension? Has anyone had to file two claims..Just wondering what is next.
when you move out of state, even temporaily, you put your claim in jepordy because the system flags the claim automatically. reason is that when you relocate the edd schedules you to a telephone interview to determine how long it took you to relocate. seems that if you take more than 4 hrs in one day to move then you mat not get paid for the whole week! the edd has no way of knowing who temporarily moved and who didn’t. also, depending on the type of extension you are on, if you relocate that you may be only eligible for a certain number of weeks after you relocate. i think it is the third extension. so if you move you need to let the edd know how long it took so they do not schedule you and delay the check.
Peelie, when you exhausted your original claim you went on an extension. however, the timeframe of the original claim must have ended which then requires you to file a new claim (different base period. now if you you file the new claim and you have enough money on this new claim then you do not get the extension. likewise, if you do not qualify for the new claim, you go back on the extensions.each extension has a certain number of weeks allowed. when you finish one you go on to the next. it takes time because for each claim someone must review the claim record to determine if you qualify for the next extension. hang in there.
Thanks to the telephone number provided in Mia’s Jan. 29 comment, I was able to get through to EDD. (“People in Northern CA – call San Bernardino Adjustments Center @ (909) 383-4661″) Five minutes and three people later, my problem appears to be solved.
Thank you Mia!!!
FINALLY. After 2 straight weeks, my 2nd try today, the 1,2,1,1,7 code went right thru!
All that to find out that yes, they re-opened the claim and that HELLO, they held on to the first week’s pay as further punishment for me having “refused” work back in the fall.
(The company pulled a “bait and switch” never the less, it was all my fault.)
Oh, thank you EDD, thank you for the pitance that will allow my family a better class of cheap pasta at long last! We might even be able to have some meat with that beyond the 99 cent store veggies.
But a real THANK YOU to this blog for putting me wise to the magic numbers!
You, I like.
I feel bad for all the people here. I just don’t understand why the EDD hasn’t set up an online status search for people. It would save the employees’ time as well as keep recipients at least somewhat satisfied. You can apply online, why can’t the information that the EDD employees “see”, be open to individuals using a password? I don’t get it!
I understand why they are overwhelmed with claims, but it was NEVER easy dealing with the EDD, even in good times. The government saw it coming, why didnt they hire more people?
My benefits run out at the end of February and I’m sc**wed because I don’t qualify for ANY extensions. The EDD says that my initial claim had to be filed prior to August 16, 2009 (the last extension was put in place from the congress vote on Dec 22) .
Mine was filed on August 23. Go figure! My only hope is that either someone will screw up and accidently give me the automatic extension or that congress will add another extension. There is a letter to Washington being submitted now.
I had better luck than a lot of people here. I filed my claim, went to the local office for my interview and I’ve gotten my check regular. It seems like if you try and get work or anything unusual happens, it causes the EDD computers to go nuts and your benefit forms just ends up sitting in someone’s “in” box.
This is ridiculous.
Peelie, you received one week because the Tier II that you must be on was extended one week. Once they receive the claim form for that one week, you will be granted Tier III for thirteen weeks, that is if nothing has changed in your claim. I called today and spoke to a kind gentleman. He explained the procedure. I hope this helps.
okay these are phone numbers i have collected through my efforts to get a hold of someone at edd here they are hope they help. you have a 90% chance of talking to some one. also check out this link and at the bottom of this page check out the link in the comment box by helper75 it has every main persons phone number at edd very confidential.
http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43266&page=4
(916)683-4400
(415)3517200
(619)525-4995
oh yeah F*@$ edd and the way they run SH*&.
Fed extensions are a joke as of 1/31/10
I spoke with the EDD and they are not filing
automatic extensions for all. So don’t be like some of us who’ve waited
two or three months. File it yourself! Sad as it is to say
a woman told me that the state of Ca can’t afford
to remove the automatic extension notification on the check stubs.
Do yourself a favor and save yourself financially by not waiting more then 10 days.
Refile yourself! Lastly the EDD is open Sat. I got through twice.
Also I haven’t heard anyone mention two different voice prompts.
When you call one is thoroughly automated the other offers prompts.
You’ll know the difference when you eventually hear them both. When you receive the one allowing entries dial 1243.
This will start the call through the process of either being given a wait time or an automated message notifying you
of being too busy before it hangs up on you.
Remember the only ones that can save us our ourselves.
This is future reference to what the government can do for us. Love thy neighbor.
Power to the People.
Best of luck and wishes.
Please post this extension update for others to see.
Fed extensions are a joke as of 1/31/10
I spoke with the EDD and they are not filing
automatic extensions for all. So don’t be like some of us who’ve waited
two or three months. File it yourself! Sad as it is to say
a woman told me that the state of Ca can’t afford
to remove the automatic extension notification on the check stubs.
Do yourself a favor and save yourself financially by not waiting more then 10 days.
Refile yourself! Lastly the EDD is open Sat. I got through twice.
Also I haven’t heard anyone mention two different voice prompts.
When you call one is thoroughly automated the other offers prompts.
You’ll know the difference when you eventually hear them both. When you receive the one allowing entries dial 1243.
This will start the call through the process of either being given a wait time or an automated message notifying you
of being too busy before it hangs up on you.
Remember the only ones that can save us our ourselves.
This is future reference to what the government can do for us. Love thy neighbor.
Power to the People.
Best of luck and wishes.
Does anyone have experience with an incorrect 1099 from the EDD? I called them today (and got through on the fourth try) and they said they would send me a detailed list of my UI payments that explains how they came up with the number reported on my 1099 form and that if I disagreed then I could submit my appeal by mail…I asked how long all this would take since i’m trying to get my taxes done ASAP (a refund would really come in handy right now) and she couldn’t tell me…
Her response to my problem almost came too easily and quickly, making me nervous that she really didn’t do anything and that i’ll just be here waiting for paperwork that never comes. Would have been great if someone had actually looked at my information. I naively assume that my check stubs from 2009 and this so-called detailed account of how they came up with my total UI reported on the 1099 would somehow be linked- and maybe, just maybe, be one in the same?? Crazy, I know.
Laurie- I also have a problem with my 1099 and they told me the same thing. They added a bunch of money that I know I never received. The only thing we can do is wait I guess, just like I have been waiting for my 3rd extension. Haven’t received checks since sept. And only received one week so far dating back to nov. 8th. Good luck, ill let u know if anything shows up in my mail (ha, yeah right)
I was finally able to get through to the EDD today…Was told the extension was filed for me but the woman could not tell me how long it would take as not all the computer programs were working. I informed her that I did not get claim forms with my last check and asked her if she could generate those so at least I would get paid as soon as the extension goes through. She stated she was imputing for 4 weeks to catch me up and that I should get them within 10 days..which means 3-4 days in actuality.
from the edd web site, interesting: http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Record_Year_for_Unemployment_Claims_and_Benefits.htm