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 laughed 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 chimed in to share tips and support. 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
First, thanks for this blog. I used the 130 trick and it worked great; I wasn’t even on hold for the estimated 6 minutes before someone came on the line.
Sadly, I like Rei and so many others have a telephone interview scheduled almost a month away. (I’d been approved but because I did freelance work for my old employer–which paid less than half my UI benefit–they red-flagged me and froze my UI.) The lady I talked with figured out the problem and tried to find a quicker interview date but couldn’t. She said the only thing I could do would be to call on another day since interviews do get canceled.
I emailed a request for a new, sooner date since that seems more palatable than playing the phone-tag game every day for a month. Dunno if that’ll work but everyone else in the same boat might want to give it a shot.
I Got a hold of a live person re: my Unemployment in one day regarding an extension.
First try to get a hold of the Director’s office at 916 654 8210. The receptionist is helpful and you can tell she’s been thru the spiel a million times a day. She can answer only general questions.
If you need information specific to you, try the Unemployment Reception desk, which supposedly takes the overflow calls. It’s busy too, but at least you don’t have to listen to a 4 minute message and then “click”. 916 654 7401
Good Luck
The “governor” does not respond with any pertinent info, other than a government “employee/bureaucrat” with a form letter stating that they are hiring more people (brain dead) and to make sure all the forms are filled out “correctly”. what a joke.
I really think it’s time that complaints regarding the EDD should be taken to a higher level. If the press won’t report it than we take it to the press! Period. California is always a snapshot of what eventually happens to other states down the road. What’s happening is the dark side to California’s unemployment figures and it needs to be exposed! There are those of us who rely on our unemployment checks until we can secure employment during such hard times. How California government officials can disregard internal problems at the EDD is disgraceful and a slap in the faces of those who aren’t looking for handouts and barely surviving due to rippling effects from the national economy.
If people can take the time to update their experiences on this blog, than make an effort to send it to cable programs such as the Rachel Maddow show or the Ed Shultz show. There are other matters concerning the public and this is an important one. Share your stories with them at MSNBC. Your financial survival without employment may rely on it!
We need to take matters into our own hands and expose what’s going on in California’s back yard.
Who do we complain to? I filed my UE claim, waited for my prompt interview three (3) weeks later, and received a denial (for the waiting period?) Okay, then I receive another claim form, fill it out and get one (1) check on 6/9/09. I have been looking for a job since I was laid off on 3/08/09 with no luck. Being a single mom who does not receive any child support, it looks like my car will be our next home. My family in Maryland offered housing and help(networking) with job contacts so I notified EDD immediately of my new address.
Guess what I won? A suspension of benefits until another prompt interview scheduled on 07/18/09 – WOW –
I already checked with Maryland and they will not allow me to file a claim with MD because prior 18 months I was in CA. Is EDD really (really?) that stupid? Don’t they know the laws ? or when they saw my new state of residence, don’t they have a chart to look this crap up? As everyone knows, unless you are extremely lucky – there is no way to actually speak with anyone there. I have called, and called, and called and one time (yes one flipping time) a female mumbled into the phone and then we were mysteriously disconnected? How convenient.
Alas, I was upset and sent a ‘contact/complaint’ email from EDD site which I am sure they could care less about and undoubtedly do not read, but I explained my situation, and that even as a single mom, I never collected food stamps, welfare, etc. and always did the ‘right’ things, but that if this upcoming ‘interview’ (with another rude person who should be grateful she has a job) doesn’t fare well, I will pack up and move myself back to CA, and collect all of the freebies CA is so famous for, and which I have never indulged.
I received my reference ID # – and now I feel empowered (not).
Good luck to all of us!
Great information. I am from CA and have not received my last check. I was never able to get through the lines at all until I read your information. I almost got through the lines, but then the line went dead. I love the information about hitting 12117 once you hear the welome message. It really does work, but then you have to hold and I got cut off. But at least there is hope. I also left a written message online which I was not aware of. Just looking forward to getting a job so I don’t have to deal with this anymore. Good luck to all of you.
EDD is a disgrace!
I have not received a check from them since June 10th. They suspended my money until my phone interview on August 1st. They refused to give me another interview sooner. They said I filled out my form wrong (Yeah two hours of work)
They now owe me close to 2400 dollars and IF this gets resolved soon they will owe me close to 3000 dollars. This is inhumane and a disgrace. How are we supposed to pay our bills? Why is it that EDD has so LITTLE compassion for us? Isnt it enough that we have lost our jobs because our employers are going broke? Why are we having to wait months for checks we deserve? Aand especially since we are hard working people who got “Laid off” and NOT fired. They red flagged me for one minor mistake on the claim form due to a book keeper error not mine EDD is making me wait two months for my overdue money. This is a travesty.
Hi Friends,
Will going into an EDD Office speed up the process of getting the 2400 dollars they owe me? Has anybody done this? I cannot go another month without my checks..
You really find out a lot about human nature at a time like this. You find out who your true friends are in a time of need and who aren’t.
that is why USA is a joke; shrug the shoulder mentalities, imbecilic “news” media that are mouthpieces for establishment, and apathy. Wrong people in wrong positions, I am still waiting for my EDD checks since mid-may. wrote, emailed, faxed, to no avail. still waiting for this excellent state govt. to get back to me……
Hi, the comments here have been helpful…and I wanted to add some things I have discovered going through the process.
After literally dialing 300+ times per day a couple days in a row and not getting through, I had better luck early on a Thursday morning. I got through three times, was put on hold each time and was eventually connected to a representative. But each of the three times, I provided all of my information, explained my (only) slightly complicated situation and then each time, I was suddenly hung up on by the representative! Guess they couldn’t handle anything beyond standard procedure….very frustrating.
Luckily, the fourth time I was connected that morning, I was assisted by a smart firecracker of a lady who seemed determined to untangle my claim and stayed on the line with me as long as was needed to do it right. She told me she would call me back that afternoon and she did-but I stepped outside on the porch and missed the call. Drat! Got claim forms a couple days later though so I’m hoping it’s all kosher now (fingers crossed).
The interesting thing she told me was that she is required to answer calls in the morning, but in the afternoon has time to make calls. I don’t know how they rotate shifts there but the only time I got through in the afternoon was to one of the Un-Representatives. From now on if I have to call I won’t even bother trying in the afternoon.
Hope that helps…
I just got my check, and it’s $475 instead of the usual $950 for 2 weeks, and there is no continuing claim form. I checked the form I sent in last time, and I realized that I had made a mistake, and I had incorrectly marked that I was attending school in my second week. I guess they used that incorrectly marked box to pay me for half the period, and stopped the claim. My question is: How long will it take to correct the mistake? Will they use this to leave me without money for another month? Will they start some appeal process, etc? or will it be as simple as correcting the clerical error, and resuming my payments. I know I made a mistake, I just don;t know what the penalty will be.
Thanks.
Anything out of the ordinary and most of the government lackies cannot understand or be bothered-too much stress or thinking for those intellectually bankrupt or too busy watching mindless boob tube, sports, bbqs, or obsessing over pervert pop “stars”.
They “only” make 15-20 dollars/hr with massive benefits so we cannot expect much!?!? Also the mail service is notoriously bad and loses mail, sends mail to wrong addressess, delayed mail, etc….keep in mind; anything and everything will be used to try to deny a claim–that is how the american govt. treats its’ citizens. this state is disgraceful; unfortunately many of the sheeple are of the shrug the shoulders mentality; silence and compliance and eager payment of taxes, fees, etc…without civil disobedience or raising civil march. That is why the USA is a sinking ship====apathy without action. Vote the slime “politicians” out of office and get fresh blood in there with real people, instead of slime laywers, academics and other miscreatants of society.
The best way to get through to the EDD if you are not working and can get to the office is to “GO IN”. Don’t waste time on the phone it’s a no win situation. I went in the office and within a half hour I was being helped by a representative.
Good luck to everyone. I’m waiting for a phone interview and my former employer has already denied my claim. If anyone knows the exact questions they ask on the interview, please post.
Thank you.
Wow… it does no good to attack or name call the people who are swamped by phone calls. It is not their fault that the system is lame. That being said… after having no luck reaching a live body for days, I called today… hit 12117 as soon as I heard the welcome message, and got in. The person who helped me was extremely pleasant… which is much more than I can say for some people who have posted recently on this board. I understand your frustrations… I have not received a check or a claim form in over a month. Hopefully, that was rectified today. Anger, harsh words, and name-calling do not help and quite frankly, reflect poorly upon you.
Peace
the massive taxes, fees, and do-nothing politicians reflects poorly on this state, where they terry nickel dime you left, right, and centre. i have been waiting since may for a check, nothing, and cannot get through, if after 237 times, i got through, they said they did not have access to records ????? however, they are ready, able, and available to give 1,400,000 to a pervert pop “star” party/motorcade. the system is beyond ridiculous, for all the taxes, fees and such, if this is the best system they can come up with that is pathetic. apathy rules, and sheeple are the majority.
Evelyn, where are you based? When I was stuck in my EDD nightmare, I was told that there are no offices where you can see an actual claims representative and that ALL correspondence must be done by phone or email. I went to my two local offices and was told the same. I know others were too. What gives?
Unfortunately, I have had similar experiences with the frustrating system of EDD. I have been able to get through twice to a representative and was so elated to get through (shortlived). Other times, I’ve been disconnected. I have been calling since May and continue to call every day. The first rep could not access my records and could only answer general questions and take a message, the second rep was pretty darn rude and could only answer yes or no questions and seemed to fly off the handle with questions not on her script. I knew I had to keep my temper in check or I would probably not get the help I so needed. Unfortunately, I found out after receiving incorrect claim info. she was not listening. There were errors on the dates of filing and dates unemployed. I received 3 duplicate claim forms with different end dates. Based on the message I left with the first rep early June, I received notice I have a phone interview scheduled July 29 and hope to clear up this mess. It is difficult not to get upset when mortgage is in jeopardy. I can totally understand folks losing it with these reps. I wish you all good luck
IF you can get through, good luck,, many edd reps are doing an adequate job, some better than others, some hiding in a state job; hang in there, many are losing homes, cars, and cannot afford to eat because of the huge edd delays. many live in a modest home and drive a modest car and need to help make payments; without ui and waiting indefinitely people are understandably very frusterated, especially when our officials are in africa or whereever not dealing with the huge domestic problems plaguing our country; underwater mortgages, huge unemployment, foreclosures, etc…. best of luck and try to remain optimistic during these very tough times.
Hi – I just used the 12117 trick and got thru almost immediately. However, it was the San Diego Office and not Sacramento. The lady was a bit curt claiming I had dialed the wrong number, but she agreed to help me. I haven’t received a check in almost a month and I mail everything to them priority with delivery confirmation (I live in Texas) so I know that they received it. Anyway, she has no idea why I haven’t received a check. She was looking thru my records and referred to a phone conversation I had with someone at EDD on the 23rd of June. That’s a joke since I can never get thru to them, how could I have a phone conversation with any of them! I just played along not wanting to tick her off. Anyway, she said she would get a check out right away as well as the back forms. I was as sugary as a native New Yorker could be, but I wanted to jump thru the phone and ring her neck! Anyway, for the person who was looking for the number to call if you live out of state and are collecting from California, it is 800-250-3913. Thanks for all the help!
At the 5th call using 12117 I got ahold of a live person in 3-4 minutes, and talked to them for 14 minutes. They said that I won’t receive any checks before the interview, scheduled on the 31st, and asked whether they have earlier appointments and they did, YAY! Will have my interview tomorrow in the morning.
The phone system of the EDD really really sucks, even the vietnamese phone number hung up on me, try the 12117 and be persistent.
In regards to claimants living outside California, don’t bother calling 800-250-3913 (as listed on pg. 34 in EDD’s “Guide to Benefits and Employment Services”). Most likely you will hear a message stating “the number cannot be reached from your calling area.” You are encouraged to call 800-712-5000 which is some sort of rewards program and has no connection with EDD whatsoever. WHAT?? Now if that isn’t misleading, I don’t know what is….check it out yourself!
It’s been pretty much set up that everyone has to call the inaccessible 1-800-300-5616. Talk about job security for those phone handlers…yeesh.
The booklet also references to the FED-ED Extended Benefits Program and possible fraud:
“Under Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 1001, willfully and knowingly concealing a material fact by any trick, scheme, or device, or knowingly making a false statement in connection with an EXtended Benefits claim, is a federal offense. You can be punished with a fine of not more than $10,0000 or imprisoned for not more than five years or both.”
If that applies to claimants, you would think it also apply to EDD’s procedures and prompt an investigation into their unethical practices. Misleading information is printed in their guide and given over the phone by representatives (whether it be a seasonal worker or not).
Just think…economists are predicting unemployment figures to go up. How much worse can it get folks?
Thank you so much for all the comments out here! Ugh! I too have been through the wringer with these yahoos. I wrote to the local news media as I didn’t know where else to get help shining a light on this insult-to-injury so-called service the EDD provides. And, frankly, I have time to write letters, I have time to follow up, I have time to track salaries of public employees, and I have time to track these people down and make them ACCOUNTABLE for their absolute incompetence at handling what is clearly going to be a continued RISE in the unemployed and underemployed for the foreseeable future. Merde! 21st century and these clowns are relying on a phone system and the US mail to get the job done. As if there are no other options. Shame on these employed people! give me their jobs. I’ll work for half their salaries and get something done.
I am similar to everyone on this site, yet I was just curious of any laws out in California that protect us, when we experience major hardships and suffering from this extremely difficult time we are all having to just get our FIRST CHECK at all. I was laid off back on May 1 , 09. And have since, experiencing one loss after another due to lack of income at all. Is there a law that protects us, to let landlords know of the difficult times we are having collecting our deserved UI benefits? Just a thought everyone. I dont know how it is with everyone else, but being a single mom with 4 kids, during this economy crisis, is no laughing joke or matter. THIS SUCKS. I paid in to this damn state, and yet I get a recorded message for the last 3 months and no check still. FRUSTRATED AS HELL…….
Amen Heather, the head of EDD Patrick Hennings made around $124,000 in 2004, and EDD “PR” person Loree Levy makes probably around that too. it is all public info, if they have full time state jobs making 6 figures during a severe economic recession, then we can do their jobs for half that amount. give us those posh jobs with great benefits, days off, pensions, over time, etc….what we can do is write letters, contact media, tv, newspapers, politicians, congressmen, etc…get the word out. demand full accountability as Heather states, full salary disclosure of all state employees, they have time to report on rock stars, weather, and other mundane nonsense; they can certainly report on something that affects millions and millions of people in CA and the entire US. they raised sales tax to 9.25%, taxes, fees, etc…. but the service, accountability, service, and competence is very poor by many state workers. Instead of protecting illegals, and providing healthcare for non americans, how about a law to protect the temporality unemployed from being evicted? If the government can bail out billionaires, how come they cannot institute real programs that help real people?! I am writing letters to all media outlets as we speak, let’s all chip in and do the same.
OMG! I actually got through in one call to the Vietnamese line. Thank you so much!
I checked YES as being to sick to work for a week when I was fine. I went ahead and checked NO, but what do I do with the YES checked box? Can I use white-out to correct it? The forms are basically scantron forms…god this all sucks!
Any assistance would be appreciated..thanks!
If you turn it in like that, you’ll get another (duplicate) form noting you had an error on your card with another to fill out. I’m not sure what would happen if you white it out. Unfortuntately, when we make mistakes, we are to call EDD immediately. Right, we know that the chances of getting through are slim. The few times I got through were a Weds. p.m., a Thursday p.m. Monday’s and Tuesday’s seem to “don’t call days.” I’ve been trying every week since I filed (in May) and seems to be the pattern. I’m speaking of the California EDD, not sure which EDD your filing from. I give up and will wait for my interview July 29. so frustrating.
Hi -
I used white-out on my last form and Iwas wondering if that is why they held my check. However, when I did get thru to them they never mentioned the white-out and they really couldn’t tell me why the check was held. The check is in the mail now but I will be more careful when filling out future forms. I think they are looking for any excuse to hold your check.
I appreciate this blog and I wanted to pass this information on. There is an Inspector General that is a watch dog over the stimulus in CA. She is the former controller for Los Angeles the city.
http://www.inspectorgeneral.ca.gov/Contact_Us/
1400 Tenth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 323-9164
E-mail: ig@inspectorgeneral.ca.gov
I just wrote a lengthy e-mail to her office and I encourage you, if you have not e-mailed her, do it. I figure the more people who can validate the malarky that I am explaining to her in my e-mail the better chance we all have in getting EDD to quit playing games with us.
Here’s my EDD nightmare, and I do mean nightmare. I’ll start by letting you all now that I’m 2 and half months behind in my rent and my landlord will most likely start eviction proceedings on August 1 and I have 300 dollars to my name. So I’m pretty stressed out to begin with. I filed my claim on July 11. On Monday July 20 I received my reporting form in the mail. I also received a confirmation form letter stating that I had filed on July 11. However I had not received the packet with the booklet and notice of my award and earnings statement. So I called and by some miracle I got through right away to a very helpful gentleman on Monday July 20. He said everything was in order and I just needed to fill out the form and mail it in and presto I would get my check. Immediately after hanging up with him, he calls me back and leaves a message that I have phone interview scheduled for August 18. So then I’m freaking out and attempt to call them back for 2 days. I finally get through on Wednesday the 22nd and get one the slugs who takes messages and tell you that someone will call you back withing 5 days. I lost it and told the slug that unless he put me through to someone who could help me, I was going to blow my brains out. (I of course had no intention of doing that). The slug keeps me on the phone and tells me that he is talking to a claim person that is getting everything straightened out. He keeps coming back and telling me to hang on and that he’s getting the answers to my questions. Guess what, the slug was not getting the answers to my questions. He was calling the the POLICE. A police car pulls in front of my building and rings my bell. The cops took me away in HANDCUFFS to the Psych ward and SF General Hospital. Fortunately I was out of there in a half hour after they realized I wasn’t crazy.
I’m NOT making this up folks. Bottom line is don’t every lose your cool let it slip that you’re going to off yourself unless they help you.
does anyone know if you can fax your continued claim form? if so whats the number?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32116694/ns/business-the_new_york_times
Here’s a recent article in the NYT regarding millions getting late unemployment checks. It’s not a pretty picture folks.
curious if ahnald swollenpecker got his paycheck too, or the 1.4 mill for that jackson parade that we all paid for, was that paid late. this is a disgrace, where is the action? seems like many are fat and comfortable and settle. sad.
Thank you for the link to the article. Wow, a bleak picture indeed! My state (California) is the worst. I see no check in sight. What a disgrace our govenment system is. The worst part? According to the article, these issues in the EDD office have been known for years and yet nothing was done to correct their broken system.
Cant’ stop till you get enough, cant’ stop till you get enough of our taxpayer $$ 1.4 million for the funeral parade paid for by you and me in LALA land. Can’t stop till EDD gets enough, can;’t stop till the phone system hangs up, can’t stop till Patrick Henning get paid his 6 figs for doing nothing. Great state. 9.75% sales anyone, anyone? Sheeple?
Thank you so much for posting this. Knowing other people are going through this mess makes it a little more bearable.
P.S. After calling all day (since 8:00am this morning), I tried 12117 a handful of times 15 minutes before 5:00p, and got through! An actual person! Thank you so much for that nugget of advice!
I filled out an online form and got the reference number.
according to the website, I should have gotten a response in 4-7 days.
17 days later I got an email response (as I requested).
Its impossible to get thru on the phone, but expect to wait ages for any response at all.
Actually Tom, Arnold has forgone his paycheck as Governatior of California. He’s still a crap governor though.
When calling in, remember there has been a hiring freeze in California for a very long time and a lot of these reps are way overworked. Doesn’t excuse rudness or ineptness but it might make the ordeal a bit better. Also California has a unemployement rate over 10% so that’s a buttload of people out of work looking for UI.
I always try to be as polite as possible even in the face of absolute rudeness. As galling as it may seem, some of those butt-hole are mean, vindictive sons-of-bitches. It owuld not surprise me to learn that they routinely ‘lose’ claim information from mean, insulting or rude claimiants.
From my experience, use the 12117 but also remeber there are two different and distinct recordings. The older sounding, less clear one is the one you want, hang up on the other. Alos be prepare to call 100 to 200 times in a row. One time it took me over 150 calls in a row to speak to someone. Be patient and bring a book or watch tv or something.
I made the horrific mistake of answering “yes” and “no” to question five on one of the claim forms and it threw a monkey wrench into the whole system causing a five week delay between checks.
Make sure you fill out the claim form carefully. I took an exacto knife and carved out the “yes” answer to question five due to lack of having white-out on hand and the machine stil marked the answer as “yes” and “no.”
I received no paperwork asking me to fix question five so I e-mailed EDD twice, once informing them I didn’t receive a check and a couple days later to request new claim forms (after calling the automated number to discover no check had been sent for those two weeks.)
Much to my surprise, after about five business days I got a call from someone at EDD asking me the answer to question five. I had actually requested an e-mail response on my e-mail to them so I am glad I had my phone on that day. The lady informed me my check would be sent out the next day and I received it three business days from her call.
Working at call center(s) for the past eight years keep in mind there is usually a place for the call center rep to type in notes on a persons’ account. I’ve typed in “caller was very rude,” or “caller was long-winded” more than once so the next rep to get that call would have a head’s up. I think it is best to address the rep in a calm voice if possible so they are able to effectively to help you. Remember, that stress in your voice rubs right off over the phone to the person you call, possibly hindering their ability to assist you.
The call center rep is merely getting paid to cover up for the ineptitude of their employer in many cases. They don’t have the ability to fix an already badly damaged system.
Why doesn’t the EDD convert their operation online? Stamps cost money, mail gets lost etc… My guess is that it’s not as easy as it sounds or they would have done it. Sometimes on a technical level there are different databases/programs that have to be programmed to get along with one another in order to make a system work. It’s not always as simple as it sounds. (just a guess, they may still me inept.)
My thanks to the people on this site that posted the instructions and link on how to request replacement forms online!
Well, I went to the office and they told me to call. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL. There was no line, there was no there and they refused to help me.
Right now I’m taking one summer class which would go towards a degree I will start in the fall where all the classes are at NIGHT. I checked off that I Started training and bye-bye benefits and I don’t have my interview until August 21st.
Now what? Would going in and talking to someone help me? If I was offered work I would drop the class like a hot potato but that’s not going to happen when 200 people more qualified than me are applying for the same jobs.
And to top things off, my husband hasn’t been paid for two months. We’ve gone through all our savings and our mortgage company won’t modify. It’s beyond frustrating.
i am late on my rent and car payments, and have been waiting for EDD since May, got a 2nd interview waiting and waiting, i am so frusterated with this state. why are we paying so many taxes and fees? for what exactly? this is really a joke. let them close down california and get some businessmen in there, not the enron sleaze, but at least people who know what they are doing, not government bureaucrats.
Government is not a business nor should it be run like a business. It’s a not for profit organization and the budget mess were in is much more complicated than just blaming “government bureaucrats”. But that’s another topic…
Carlos, you are so right that one minor mistake can cause long, long, long delays in receiving checks and/or claim forms. With that said, I have spoken/written EDD more than I can count and still am not current on my claim due to misinformation on their part. I understand your points in being courteous over the phone however those representatives should be professional enough to handle a variety of matters. It really is the luck of the draw when you get someone on the phone in the first place. Smart representatives will attempt to resolve any issues during one call while others simply don’t have much patience or care. Getting through the 1-800 number is half the battle!
What I find appalling about the system is that any line of communication with EDD can take up to a week to get any sort of response. Even over the simplest issues. Their call centers are a joke as well as submitting problems online. What is the point of having a reference number from their website when phone representatives consider the information useless. It’s a vicious cycle and in the meantime, people are forced be creative in trying to survive day by day.
Perhaps if representatives took the time to be more thorough, maybe, just maybe, phone lines would not be so jammed with a bonus of fewer disgruntled claimants calls.
USA Government is a business, they take taxes, personal, property, income, sales for the “running” (pitifully) of the government with bloated salaries, massive pensions, great health care, benefits galore, union protection. If it truly is “not for profit”–why collect massive taxes and fees for basically little for american, legal citizens? IF the Calfornia government was run like a business non of this crap with EDD incompetence and the bankruptcy in ca would be happening. they would have people where merit and substance would be appreciated instead of tenure and buddyism system in effect. Those government bureaucrats do nothing and collect all the benefits, where is the outrage and action. I am going to Sacremento Thursday to see the assistant of the governor and see where my taxes fees and other BS are going.
I called the English line maybe 200 times, then finally tried the Vietnamese line, it went right through to a real person and they connected me up in 2 seconds!
Awesome!
gotta try that, the Vietnamese EDD line on other threads people have been able to get through. thanks,
Dialing 12117 WORKS!!!! First time, right through!!! Thank you SO MUCH for this.
Dialing 130 also works.
Hallelujah, hallelujah folks. I finally got my back-dated claim forms so my mood has changed somewhat since checking the mail today. J.D. and Aaron at EDD said they would take care of my situation and though it took over a week to get all those forms, I am not complaining at this point.
Tonight I am going to complete those suckers, make copies and mail them asap. So if you call and talk to one of them, let them know there are some claimants who appreciate their professionalism and promises. Thanks fellas!