Comments on: Tips and Tricks: Getting Through to California’s EDD, Sanity in Tact

By: Vinny Gambini

Vinny Gambini — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:57:52 +0000

Use the 916 number. You will prob need to try it like 5-10 times but it works!

You will never get through using the regular 1-800 number

By: Chad

Chad — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:40:31 +0000

I received a letter from EDD in the mail that brought tears to my eyes. The letter stated: “In your claim you stated you were not available & able to accept full-time work.”

I’m not able or available to work full-time? Say what? Is that a typo? I’m unemployed, not disabled! I need my check. I didn’t file that!

But lets not quibble over the little details (like facts), or who royally screwed up (EDD). Instead the letter directed me to correct “my” error by either writing EDD directly (Dear EDD , Why did you fuck up my claim form?), or calling them directly.

Believing foolishly that government is by the people and for the people I decided to call EDD, but I could never reach a “live” operator, instead I reached a pre-recorded voice message telling me they had received more calls than they could answer. I could understand this the first 50 times, but after 200 times you have to wonder what is going on at EDD.

In order to cut through the bureaucracy I tried the alternative number posted on this site and shockingly got through to an actual human being! However, as soon as I stated why I was calling I was promptly transfered!

What does this parable teach us? Government is broken.

By: anna

anna — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:54:47 +0000

Hooray for the super friendly and sweet Vietnamese woman of the EDD!! Don’t give up — I tried calling a number of times — got through to holding music, disconnected. Abrupt end when you hear what sounds like a prompt telling you that all operators are busy and to go to the website (you can kind of decipher the website address). Kept calling back, finally got a woman who was so nice I really can’t believe it. She told me I was awarded UI benefits and they will start in a few weeks after I get the paperwork in the mail to mail back, etc. I hope it’s all true!!

By: Christal

Christal — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:05:33 +0000

I got through!!

Shana 1-17-12 Your response worked….. You call the number, 1-800-300-5616 press one for english, then press 1 to check your payment amount, press 3 to change your pin. Follow the prompts to enter your ss# and weekly amount. Then they will ask you to change your pin. Do nothing and after the robot goes through the motions several times you will be prompted to enter 0 to speak to someone. You are then told the wait is about 3 minutes. And a very nice person will come on and help you within that time.

I had to call a 2nd time and the Vietemese trick worked too =) Vietnamese line 800-547-2058. Wait for the initial message to pause, press 6,wait for message to start, 7, wait, 3, wait, SS#, wait, 1. and the beautiful music of being qued for a representative starts, and then…… I was finished in 2 minutes, questions answered and complimented on my intelligence to navigate the maze and come out with a big piece of cheese. You only have to wait for the messages to start, you don’t have to wait through the whole message after each prompt.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:30:47 +0000

Filed my claim 3 weeks ago and hadn’t heard anything. Emailed a couple times and called religiously for a week, tried the Vietnamese # and got thru on second attempt. Was going bonkers, thanks a bunch.

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:07:37 +0000

One more thing. The EDD is hiring. I got some info from a worker in San Diego and he said go to http://www.spb.ca.gov It is the state personnel board. There are tons of jobs there and we will all find one!!! Takes maybe 2 weeks or so, you have to find what you are qualified for and then just apply for it. And these jobs come with full benefits and pension plans. No more unemployment!

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:59:28 +0000

Shana 1-17-12 Your response worked. You call the number, 1-800-300-5616 press one for english, then press 1 to check your payment amount. Follow the prompts to enter your ss# and weekly amount. Then they will ask you to change your pin. Do nothing and after the robot goes through the motions several times you will be prompted to enter 0 to speak to someone. You are then told the wait is about 3 minutes. And a very nice person will come on and help you within that time.

By: Liz F

Liz F — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:52:07 +0000

I was fired because I ride a bike instead of driving a car. The job I applied for did not require driving. How come people assume you are unreliable if you don’t have a car. I was even told when I picked up my check to call back when I get my license and that I did nothing wrong. I had my mandatory eligibility interview yesterday. My employer told edd that they suspected that I falsified job history information on my resume. Why would I lie to get a minimum wage job??? The interview was very brief and I was told it could take up to 10 days to get either a denial or a check. I’ve been a stressed out mess for 2 weeks I couldn’t wait any longer. Why can’t they just tell you at the end of the interview if you’re eligible?? As soon as I woke up today I tried calling the English line a million times with no luck. Finally, out of desperation I called the Vietnamese line. I got through right away and a nice lady speaking English answered and told me based on my interview I was eligible to receive benefits. What a relief. I can finally sleep again.

By: vic

vic — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:22:37 +0000

The 916 number works however be aware that the person answering will ask how did you get this number. The best results is to be honest and they will tell you to go through the 800 number next time. After that they will transfer you which took about 5 mins and someone else answered. Always say that you have some sort of issues doing things online and you will automatically get to and adjustor who is the guru at solving most if not all issues. If you get a vm you can leave a message and they will actually call you back. I say just keep hitting 0 when they ask if you want to continue to hold and you will get through. It took me 15min start to finish. I tried the 800 number English and others for days without any luck.

By: Lorna S.

Lorna S. — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:58:11 +0000

Kenneth – job search history

This is in no way a recommendation or guaranteed, just sharing my experience.

In the past, I have had the same experience and have instead sat down and immediately applied to the correct number of positions and listed them, even though the applications were not precisely in the correct period (but darn close) they were real applications. I was never asked to clarify any dates. I would have felt less comfortable doing this if there was a long delay between the logged period and the actaul applicaiton. Point is, you are making the applications and looking for work.

What I do to easily track where I apply is to save an archived copy of the web page for the position into a folder named by the period I am tracking. It doesnt change where weblinks can expire, and you don’t have to write or type it all.

Good luck.