Oh EDD, how you make people hate thee
Twas weeks before Christmas and all across the state,
the unemployed waited by mailboxes, checks several weeks late.
Bills went unpaid and rents way past due,
And lil’ Johnny and Susie wanting new christmas shoes.
A fourteen week extension, meant all should be merry,
but ancient EDD computers argue quite the contrary.
A system upgrade in waiting since 2002
Now seven years too late and it’s all I-O-U.
Now Daddy ducks bill collectors while Mom fights depression.
Johnny can’t study, no lights for his lessons.
Susie needs doctors, she’s turned away at reception.
Oh, EDD, you’re the FEMA of our recession.
Twas weeks before christmas and for 111,000 Californians, it was far from alright.
This video was shared with us by ‘JohnB’ in the comments section of Tips and tricks: getting through to california edd. Thanks John!
Oh dear!
I doubt it is a “glitch”. More likely, the programmers at EDD screwed up and trashed something that they probably didn’t have proper backups for.
You would think that ABC news in the bay area would have someone with a technical background who could have asked the hard questions. “Glitch” is pretty open-ended!
And why is that short guy replaced in 2004 answering questions and using the word “WE” are still working on upgrading the system?
My UCI was delayed this week too! It was because I hit the one year mark and had to call them to reactivate the claim.
The thing is, they didn’t bother to notify me about that when I filed online Sunday. I didn’t know until the direct deposit failed to come through on Wednesday. Unfortunately, I had sent out all my bills on Tuesday and had several checks bounce. Now I am overdrawn and down by $65 because of the hold!
Great, just what you need when money is already tight.
Christmas can be a very tough time for the unemployed!
Best of luck and seasons greetings to all you guys out there.
Checks meant to be arriving this week people.
Fingers crossed!
916-683-4400 will get you directly through to EDD.
Here are more direct numbers:
Los Angeles Call Center
(323) 993-4705
Oakland Call Center
(510) 622-1286
Orange County Call Center (Buena Park)
(714) 279-7232
Riverside Call Center
(951) 782-3211
Sacramento Call Center
(916) 574-1711
No money since Oct. As of today no check–claim form or can i get through to edd.Recieved Notice of new extension Nov 21,2009–went on line as edd asked us to do to re apply to speed things up–NOTHING-
anybody know whats going on at edd? Please help!
Hey All:
Just discovered this site after wayyyyy too much time on unemployment….
Have an odd question, just want to see if this is happening to anyone else.
Has anyone else noticed a delay with their check *after* the automated system says it sent a check to you?
I called last week and heard my check was cut on December 15. A week ago Tuesday.
Thinking “optimistically?” I thought it would be here by the weekend…. Well as of today 12/22, still no check (mail for the day hasn’t arrived yet, though.)
The situation is complicated but an unrelated, now resolved “glitch” I had with the post office. (Long story, but it was resolved by Thursday of last week, or so I am told.) So I am not even sure which bureaucracy to contact regarding this….. Though I can say the only thing more difficult than getting a hold of an agent at EDD is getting a hold of a supervisor at the US Postal system, especially during Christmas.
I did get through to EDD (by using some of the tricks listed here), and while 97% of the reps are really nice when you talk to them, I got a hold of one of the 3% who was an idiot, and gives all the other reps a bad name. Before he even knew my situation, he told me it was the US Postal Services fault, how “it was on the news” that they were short staffed, mail was backed up and no mail was getting through…..”
This may or may not be true, but I thought it was extremely hypocritical of this guy to blame the US Post when his own government organization is so F’ed up.
At any rate, nothing I can do but wait for the mail, hope “maybe today,” even as I gear up to call EDD after it has been 10 days without receiving my on the 28th about my check. (A process with my idiot rep graciously informed me was a long and involved process.)
BTW, he did mention something about them Fed Exing the check (even though of course, he mentioned how that wouldn’t help much) anyone else have EDD send Fed EX a check? What’s the process? A
ll of these delays come on the tail end of a “phone interview” so some of these checks I’m waiting on already a month late…. Just want to get back on an even playing field with them, but I keep playing catch-up, and experiencing ever more delays…. Ugh!!!
Beyond that, Merry Christmas everyone… if anything EDD proves Christmas is much more than a materialistic, “what did you get me” Holiday…. Hope everyone here can spend Christmas with supportive friends and family who understand why you can get them great gifts (or any gifts?) this year…. Hopefully a pared-down Christmas with those you love will be its own gift…
Christina,
Ur like the Henry Livingston or Clement Clarke Moore of the unemployed. Maybe we should all organize a massive protest at our legislature’s office regarding the accuracy of EDD. No, wait…Nevermind. It’s not that serious, right?
Dear Unemploymentality and Readers,
Some Californians becoming homeless as EDD fails to send out unemployment checks
articles: http://www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_13962976 and http://economy.freedomblogging.com/2009/12/17/did-you-get-your-unemployment-extension-check/#comment-16695
This is an urgent matter that is being totally ignored by the media in California please help us. I read the linked articles on the internet and want you to know it is still true right now 12/30/09 – I hope the news media or somebody can do some investigating and bring the plight of so many poor unemployed Californians into the light. I thought I was the only one in this EDD hell, but I know there must be many others. My regular benefits ran out on 12/5/09 and I still (as of 12/30/09) have not received any paperwork or checks from the EDD. I have phoned and written and emailed the EDD. I have listed my email dates and the EDD confirmation reference numbers below. I have written to my state senator (Mark Leno) and my state Assemblyperson (Fiona Ma) and the Governor (Arnold) and my representative Nancy Pelosi and Senators Boxer and Feinstein and the EDD over and over since 12/15/09 when the EDD announced that it had mailed checks to ALL of California’s unemployed people (the EDD lied). I have only received requests for campaign contributions from all the elected officials /rolls eyes. I have telephoned 866-333-4600 and checked my file and discovered that according to EDD my last check was mailed 12/12/09 which was the check from 12/5/09. I have telephoned 800-300-5616 repeatedly to speak with an EDD representative only to get the recording “We are currently receiving more calls then we can handle” — goodbye … dial tone. I have not gotten any response or any help. I know that if this has happened to me, then many more poor unemployed Californians are in the same boat. Please investigate this and help us. All of the postings on the EDD site must be just cheap PR making it look like they are doing their job. But in fact I will be going homeless on January 1st 2010 because I do not have enough money to pay my rent due to this EDD mess. I am 56 years old with 2 chronic health problems and no family or other place to go — I am totally able to work and I am a good worker — but being homeless at this time of year is a real death sentence for me. Help me if you can but if you cannot help me, then please do help all of the other poor unemployed people and bring the State’s callousness into the light of public knowledge. Please help get the job market rolling too. This is a desperate situation that is being totally ignored by the media and the government. Thank you.
California EDD confirmation reference numbers for all the emails I sent the EDD begging for them to help me and get me my extension check and paperwork to me from 12/21/09 through yesterday 12/29/09 — all of which were ignored. # 2288657, #2312559, #2323361.
I am posting a continuation of my previous post — as an update for those thousands of unemployed facing eviction and hunger due to the EDD mess. On December 31, 2009 received first email response to my EDD email ref# 2288657. Stating that EDD “forwarded a request for your next extension to begin effective 12/06/09. You have exhausted your 2nd extension. You should receive documents in the mail shortly…” And then on 1/2/2010 I received a telephone call from a lady identifying herself as an EDD employee. She would not give me her name but only her initials. She told me “we are sorry for any inconvenience but several thousand unemployed people were overlooked and not mailed checks on 12/15/09 and we will be processing them and you in the future. You need to have patience and understand that you will receive notices from us in the future.” I told her I knew she could not be held to an actual date but could she give me a non-binding hint at when I may get any mail from the EDD. She then said “next week or the week after that.” And last but not least today 1/4/2010 I received my FIRST response from any politician to whom I have emailed since 12/23/09. The response was from State Senator Mark Leno. Three points he made 1) EDD director Patric Henning resigned 12/17/09, 2) I should phone Senator Leno’s office and 3) Senator Leno conveyed that he wanted to help me and that his staff normally helps citizens in his district as quickly as they can. After I received Senator Leno’s email I actually received a telephone call from a nice woman who said she worked in his office. She took some more information including my soc# and was going to follow up on my case. So my advice is look up your state senator and state assemblymember and begin telephoning their local offices. You will need to provide information about your case and understand they are swamped with requests for help right now.
Anyway, I had not read about Patrick Henning’s resignation (cheer oh happy days) or the THOUSANDS of Californians who did NOT get sent checks on 12/15/09 (contrary the EDD website) in any newspaper I read, nor did I see it on any newscast I watch local and CNN, MSNBC, Fox. Absolutely unbelievable isn’t it? I find the lack of media coverage on this EDD fiasco amazing — especially in this day and age with our technology. I mean it is mind bending to me that I can turn on CNN and other networks and see all day coverage of police chasing an empty balloon or see all day coverage of a barn fire in Iowa, but really important news that is affecting thousands of living breathing human beings is somehow overlooked. Just like me and the thousands of unemployed people who are being ignored by the EDD. Reality really is stranger than any fiction one can imagine isn’t it?
Thanks Sandy! I called the 800-300-5616 number like 50 times and couldn’t get through, but when I called the orange county number (714) 279-7232 I was able to reach an actual human who was able to look up my records and make some thing happen. Press 03 when you call too.
Super Greatful!!!!!!
I am crying right now. I remember the days before 1980 when working people had value. Since 1981 working people are on their own and the government and rich feel its better we die because 33 million illegal immigrants easily replace us. If you face eviction due to the government mess know a Homeless Prevention Fund – Rental Assistance may be available through HUD to communities. San Francisco link is: http://sfhomeless.wikia.com/wiki/San_Francisco_Department_of_Human_Services_–_CalWORKs#Homeless_Prevention_Fund_-_Rental_Assistance The City makes us call various charities which pass us along to other charities; but at the end we may get a ONE time loan to cover some rent. In my case $800. Do not give up. The rich, media, government, republicans AND democrats are our enemies. They want working people dead so they can replace us with illegals. Do not die, but fight and live. Post here whatever can help fellow Americans. God help us all. UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FAIL. Together we can survive and take our country back.
hm. your enemies include the rich and government, yet you take an $800 grant from the government provided by charities funded by the rich. stick to hating illegals, mark.
Patrick Henning the recently resigned EDD “director” wrote some poem thing to his colleagues regarding his resigntion: resigned, freed, left, don’t guess, vacated. ?!?!?!? WHAT ABOUT ALL THE DEVESTATION HE LEFT IN HIS WAKE OF INCOMPETENCE? He has the audacity to write something like that after under HIS “direction” the EDD was/is a joke and laughing stock of incompetence.
“A fourteen week extension, meant all should be merry,
but ancient EDD computers argue quite the contrary.”
Isn’t it odd that whenever there’s a glitch (which sounds oddly like Grinch) the resulting “error” always favors the government?
If everyone is having the same as i am about not getting your check this TAlK RADIO GUY,, will find the answer, he just does not sit in his chair, he goes out on the road, and knock on people door, and get his answers.
Judd McIlvain’s Troubleshooter web site serves to inform consumers of their rights and how to avoid being scammed.
Emmy-award winning Judd McIlvain is one of the most trusted consumer investigative reporters in the U.S. He’s done reports for CBS News, ABC News, CBS’s 48-Hours, United Press International and KCBS TV News, L.A. His “Troubleshooter” TV Consumer show ran for four years in L.A. and he’s been doing his Troubleshooter News segments in L.A. for 14 years.
I HAVE BEEN ON TALK RADIO SHOW BEFORE TO FIGHT FOR MY UMEMPLOYEMENT CHECK, NOW I AM GOING TO DO IT AGAIN,, THAT 800.300.5676 IS A “DAMM JOKE”
Sandy thank you!!!! for those numbers. I’d been trying to get through for 4 days
Recieved a check…funny though because the form that I sent in was for two weeks, the check I recieved was for 1 WEEK!! This is maddness. I tried to contact some one and with no luck yet I have tried every number and every code to try to get to some one. Seems like you have a 50/50 chance to get to a rep. who can help you. Talk about customer service within your own state. May they should hire more people to help…but oh no, we have no money. That is why they had to sell the orange country fair grounds….now where is that money going towards? This is fustrating for all and mabe we should all move to another state where work could be found, even though almost every other state is having their own issues of employment. I guess I will wait and see what Obama does. After his speech last night I am not sure if he can bring more jobs to the U.S. or not. I am iffy about him. Keeping fingers crossed as I have left a message with a repo for another rep to help since the rep I spoke to could not help….get figure that is our EDD in CA!!!
MARK:
I totally agree with everything you have said 1/4 and 1/5. For example, media coverage of the unemployed. It is extraordinary that the horrors people of this country are experiencing in this intractable unemployment, but generally ignored. In San Diego, the Union Tribune prints statistics, ups and downs of job losess or job gains, but nothing about the sadness of human suffering as a result of losing their jobs, homes, health care. Photos on blogs on the internet of people in their “Golden years” losing jobs and forced into shelters or the streets. This should be front page news every day. There is constant reporting of building a new stadium for the Chargers stadium here though. There sometimes are editorial comments about doing something about removing the homeless people from the more affluent areas, or years of talking about permanent shelters for the homeless. Oh my aching back. Oh yes,I just saw a “blip” for a couple of seconds where someone had interviewed a homeless couple who had lost their home, but I didn’t get much out of it because it was so short.
Mark, you are one the people that have never contributed anything to our society but get rent subsidies, medical care, education? That’s why you are receiving unemployment benefits? Never paid taxes? I thought you said your $800 was a loan, seems like someone posted that it was a “grant.” Hooray for the charitable wealthy who can claim donations on their taxes.
I am an older unemployed Registered Nurse, born in America. The buzz word now is “foreign imports.” Experience and hard earned education of American nurses is now broken down into different parts. Then the “foreign imports” are given training to become all manner of medical technicians and one day you look around and ask “yeah, what was a nurse? Look out if you are pushing 50 or over. Your days are over. As my best friend said, who also is an RN, “we are a thing of the past.”
1980’s is a year that I remember well. I have a great deal of nostalgia for the years leading up to that time. How about the charitable Ronald Reagan dumping the mentally ill out into the streets?
I now avoid a lot of people who continue to have jobs, not all, though. But many of those who have not walked in the shoes of the unemployed people are totally clueless, and could care less. It’s so humiliating to be talked down to, and told “oh, you just have to be more positve.” Then head to the nearest Starbucks in their black “power suits.”
Who came up with that inane and meaningless remark, “Have a wonderful day?”