E.D.D. Complaint Unemployment Access Unavailable - This Would Be Their Lack Of Service...

My story begins with my filling of a claim for unemployment benefits. I had an open claim already so I reopened it online, a few days later I received my forms and sent them in , when I received my first check they notified me my claim was now over and I would have to file for a new claim . By now (with the lag time of the mail ) a week had passed and by filing online again would have made me loose a week�s pay ,so I opted to call so I could talk to someone and explain that I would like them to retro for that week lag .For the next week I call E.D.D. approx 200 times ( that God I was not using my cell phone) Finally I got through and talked to a woman whom at the time seemed to understand my needs and told me that she would send out two claim forms one for the retro week plus another week and told me to send it in when I got it , and another set of forms for the (now ) current weeks .. I was feeling like I finally hit the lotto =smiles= (seriously). That feeling evaporated with the mail about 5 days later, the claim forms that should have had a total of 4 weeks only had 3, not sure how something so simple could have become so messed up??? So here it is four weeks into this problem and now I am back on the phone, another three days and countless calls to a number that is not remotely accessible. after 50 tries I got through twice each time I was told( by a recorded message ) that the wait time would be 7 minutes ( again lotto fever ) both times after 4-5 minutes I was disconnected . So what are you thinking this has got to be a joke? Trust me anything but....

Some how I guess I got lucky rather soon into the next day�s calling trying once again to find help in sorting this out. by now the send in date has passed on my first claim form. So here I am on the phone again and after half a days dialing I get the good but unreliable message I ll only have a 7 minute wait ,not being all that enthusiastic I hear the voice of a man asking me what he could help me with , with hope in my grasp I gave him my S.S. number and asked him to pull up my screen so he could follow my explanation he proceeded to tell me he could not help me and had to transfer me , ( in thirty two years of off and on filing for unemployment) I have never had to be transferred, I told him he was going to disconnect me , OH no its inner office that won't happen ... You guessed it dial tone. We are not done here (still have the same issue as when I started ...) I am now dumb founded and frankly very pissed off.

So now I decide to make copies of the two claim forms I have and send them in and fight this in the mean time ( my bills couldn't wait any longer) as I am having lunch with my daughter my cell phone rings , understandable I don't answer it , after eating I listen to the message and it is a guy from unemployment stating that we had a phone interview as to why I waited so long to send in my claim form , but being as I didn't answer (and missed ) the interview (which at the time had no idea about)they were going to deny my claim. I thought to myself what are you talking about ( no new number to call nothing, just basically we gave you your one and only opportunity) O by the way this is Saturday 10 am ,later that day I pick up my mail and there it is a letter from the employment office telling me of this interview , are you kidding me it states if you cant make this interview call this number to change day and or time , you guessed it the same number that I have spent hours dialing already .. Even if I got it in time and wanted to change it the chances of that are none existent. So now over 6 weeks into this and I am drowning in incompetent people running our government agencies, a system that is as far as I am concerned BROKEN ( I am sure I am not the only one) I have even wrote to the governor�s office asking for help. Tried to find a walk in office (like in the old days) they are nonexistent they do have a job search office which I talked to a woman whom said she has had many people come to her venting about the system being Broken and she even told me that the upper dept heads came through asking for feedback and she told them that something has to be done about the problems with the system and she quoted them as saying "ITS NOT BROKE" bet they have never filed a claim!!!!

Please not just for me but the (I am sure thousands) of others going through this HELP I would love to hear from you and would humbly accept any help offered ...by the way I am keeping a log of times and dates of attempted phone calls up to 25 today prior to this 1 1/2 hour ( time it took me) letter .. Thank you for your site Robert Hansen

Comment On This

I had to reopen a claim which I did NOVEMBER 25 2010!!!! After LOTS of e-mails and LOTS of phone calls,as of JANUARY 17 2011, NOTHING!!!! No phone call from them, no e-mail from them, no mail from them, and NO MONEY from them!!!! Oh yeah I called this morning, forgot that they got their check (for working for us) if thats what you call it, and they deserve today, Martin Luther King Day off!!!! Go figure.Thank God for relatives to borrow money from and my wifes 30 hours a week to keep food on the table and the house payment made!!!! Yes it seems to me that the system is definately BROKE.

Comment On This

My experience with the California Unemployment Office sounds like a picnic compared to the problems others have had. BUT I AM STILL FUMING.

I was laid off (after 27 years) and knew nothing about Unemployment Insurance (UI). It took me some time to get everything straightened out, but after one month, I had my first check (for one week's pay). Then I received another check covering two more weeks. This is where is started going south.

The automated "where's my check" telephone number will just tell me that "Your last check was mailed 8/24/2010 and pays for the period ending 8/14/2010." For additional information, call 800-bla-blah (I am convinced this number is just a ploy to delay the need for them to be accountable).

After calling the number 20 times per day for the past 5 business days, I have yet to reach a person. What I DO reach is a recording informing me that "Due to the volume of calls..." I am unable to speak to anyone. I am also unable to leave a message.

I have now sent email three days running (since this is the only other option) without receiving a response.

There is no local office for me to visit personally so this is not an option.

Today, I have $.22 in the bank, no gas in my car, am living on peanut butter sandwiches (no jelly) and canned veggies from Costco. I must make a payment to my gas & electric company by Friday to keep the lights on.

As if it's not traumatic enough to be "laid off" after 27 years of employment with the same company, I have to go through this nightmare?!? I have paid into a system for 27 years, never using it till now, and I can't get my measley check.

I am beginning to suspect that UI staff members have been asked to work as slowly as possible, delaying payments, to save money (or perhaps because there IS no money...).

I hate being unemployed, I hate being on umemployment, and I hate sending pathetic pleas into a void not knowing if my email are being acted upon or just deleted. No feedback, no contact, nothing.

Comment On This

I called the EDD yesterday afternoon & finally got through. I was very upset. Instead of receiving my check that I was expecting I was sent another claim form for the second time in a row. The first time it said that I had answered yes and no for the same questions. Now it comes back saying that my wages on 6a and employer information on 6b was either incorrect or incomplete. The problem with that is that I didn't make any wages. I didn't list an employer because I dont have one. I didn't write anything in 6a or 6b. My landlord has already given me an extension pending the check that didnt come the second time. So I called EDD to ask if there was an office that I could take the form into or something I could do to speed up the waiting time to issue the check. The Guy who answered the phone started talking over me while I was speaking saying If I was stupid enough to fill out the claim form wrong not only once but two times then its my own fault. I asked his name and he laughed. He really laughed and refused to give it to me. I asked to talk to a supervisor over and over again and he refused. I started crying & my boyfriend asked what was happening and the EDD worker said to tell the guy in the background to mind his own business and shut up. The worker immitated me. He hummed while I was talking like a little kid does when they put their fingers in their ears cause they dont want to hear you. It was something like out of a hidden camera show. I kept waiting for someone to jump out and say "gotcha" and no one did. He hung up on me and I was unable to get through for the rest of the day. I'm screwed. My rent is late. I am worried about my bills. The 75 late fee I will be charged will eat up the rest of my check that should have paid for groceries. I'm not gonna make it. And I am on my last payment on this claim and unsure if its my last extension or not? I dont want to become a homeless person. I pump out resumes day after day and dont even get a return phone call. This has never happened to me. I am really scared.

Comment On This

Fuck those wortless cock suckers there out there to get you more in debt while there fuckin pockets are full!!!!!!

Thanks for your help you fuckin piece of shit EDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment On This

It's been hellish for me to try and get through the phone to these people.

I found myself unemployed last month and set to filing the claim. It went well enough and then I received my check soon after. But when I had to send in my new form, the next check never came. About two weeks later I received a notice that I didn't fill out the form completely (which is BS, because I checked and double checked my form before sending it out), so they sent me another to fill in for the past week. So I did, sent it out, and wouldn't you know? Four days later I received a notice that I didn't SIGN the form (even though I did) and that I had to call that ungodly number to talk to someone about it before the deadline or they'll cancel my claim.

As you can guess, I haven't been able to get through. I've called maybe a hundred times, only to hear right off the bat that there are too many people calling in and they can't handle the amount of calls so I should just listen to this nice message about Obama and the *click*. Or, even worse, I actually go through the motions and finally get put on hold only to hear that there are STILL too many people! Even at 6 AM there are too many people! At one point, I called at three in the afternoon, and they said their offices were closed! They close at 5! Is Sacremento in some odd timezone of their own or are they just lazy?

This is a serious issue. People get their claims cancelled because they can't get through to the people who can say "Oh! Okay, we'll continue your claim." not to mention that their response time of 24-48 hours via email almost always leads to a week or more.

Here's an idea fro the EDD; if there are too many people calling in for you to handle, HIRE MORE PEOPLE TO WORK THE PHONES! Then you solve two problems! The workload and the unemployment issue! Everyone wins! Except for maybe the government who pays their salaries.

Seriously, this is totally stupid!

Comment On This

Please email the governor with your complaint at http://gov.ca.gov/interact.

Good luck

Comment On This

I have been dealing with the inconsiderate folks working at the unemployment office for over a year now. It feels like I'm calling Dell for technical support that's located in some third world country. Their rude and completely unhelpful. They denied the first two weeks that I was off work because they said I didn't file in time. Yet, I could never get through for someone to assist me. Then they sent a letter containing information from the Obama Administration saying that the unemployed can go to a accredited college FT and qualify for UI benefits as well as grants. So what did I do believing them? Started school. What a disaster! Soon as I started school, they cut me OFF! So, if your thinking about going to school, even to one of their "approved schools," and believe that the benefits will be there for you, think again! It's now going into the third month that I have not received a dime from unemployment because I started school when I have followed every guideline and requirement. My appeal will take an additional six to 12 weeks! That means, it will be approximately 4 to 5 months before I see a dime of unemployment benefits that I'm entitled to. In the meantime, I have requested on several occassions that the claim forms that have been stopped from being sent to continue to be sent to me with no success. It's seems as though they are intentionally denying everyone benefits for one reason or another and making them re-apply or go through an appeals process to receive the benefits that they are entitled to. Don't give up! You are entitled and they need to pay up! Unemployment should be fined for fradulently denying benefits to honest hardworking Americans.

Comment On This

Here's to add to the mysterious world of CA EDD:

1. They supposedly "added" Saturdays for their main 800 # to help with the call volume. After hundreds of attempts to call the EDD during weekdays (various times from as early as they open at 5 a.m. to before they close at 6 p.m.), I finally got through to some breathing person on a Saturday but only to be told that they can only take new claims on Saturdays and cannot help with other issues (mine is about missing checks).

2. I have sent communications to EDD several times both through their "Ask EDD" as well as in written snail-mailed letters about my missing checks. Replies never arrived earlier than 2 weeks and didn't answer/address what you're asking help for.

3. There have been at least 3 EDD physical locations I've needed to send communications to (based on the reply-to-addresses in letters I got from them). They seem to be disjointed and clueless about what the other departments are doing.

4. In one of EDD's reply e-mails, I was instructed to contact a 714 number about my missing checks. I did and was immediately transferred to their always busy (read: useless) 800 number even though I told the CSR that I was instructed by EDD themselves to call that 714 number.

5. After more than 2 months worth of communications to EDD, I still don't have any resolution nor see the light at the end of the tunnel regarding the missing UI checks.

Mr. "I'll be back" Terminator, if you really want to help Californians through these difficult times, EDD's operation is one of the items that you really need to pay close attention to.

Comment On This

Granted that EDD is under a tremendous amount of strain and we could go on endlessly just listing a few of their mainly problems and boneheaded mistakes. Let me list a few:

1. EDD has apparently hired 90 day temps to do the work.

2. They have provided a useless toll free phone line, which gets overloaded, and cuts you off, so that you cannot leave a message.

3. At their whim, they set up unnecessary eligibility interview appointments, with no practical way to change those dates and times. As a substitute teacher, I find that EDD calls at times when it knows long beforehand that I will be managing a classroom filled with disruptive children.

4. Their Ask EDD web site is filled with people not empowered to help you.

5. When you are not able to reach EDD to reschedule an appointment, EDD goes into automatic pilot and rejects your claim, so that you will most likely have to resolve your claim before an administrative law judge. Meanwhile, your checks will be delayed for 4 to 5 months, and your UIB continuing claim forms will not arrive for several months.

6. EDD does not seem capable of learning from its prior errors. There does not seem to be an active database, so that eligibility interviewers can review similar situations with the same claimants or similar claimants. Moreover, when you do reach an eligibility worker for an unwanted eligibility interviewer, these workers do not seem to have read your correspondence or your file, so your first few minutes will be spent re-educating the worker on what has already transpired.

Comment On This

Comment On This

Just another person with the same problems with EDD. My claim was dropped for no reason and now I can't reach anyone to fix the problem.

Comment On This

I am unemployed as are many in Southern California. The story I am about to recount for you is one that is experienced by many others as well as myself!

After finally getting my unemployment claim started you soon find out there is no way to contact EDD Unemployment division. If you try to call them you will get a constant message that EDD is getting so many calls that �we are receiving more calls than we can handle� which goes on all day for many days! This can only be interpreted as �many claimants are being denied the opportunity to make a timely claim! In other words they are doing without funds that they are legally entitled to!

This is the case with those trying to make a legitimate claim!

If you have a problem with an ongoing claim you have the option to call EDD, in which case you will not get through for days on end. Or you can email EDD in which case you will be ignored until you simply get tired of trying, which is what they are hoping for as they do not respond to those emails. Nor do they follow up with, in my case a replacement form that I have been requesting for two weeks. Two weeks of trying to contact and get a response from EDD!

If the current situation is as dire as the recordings make it sound then why is it the EDD or the powers that be add phone lines as well as personnel as needed even on a temporary basis?

Is it that the real job of the EDD Unemployment department is to deny as many legitimate claims by slowing down the process as possible? Or is it just another case of inept negligence at work in the California government?

Comment On This

I find myself in the same boat!

I have an open claim and have recieved several checks then I lost a 2 week claim form! This was over 2 weeks ago and I have emailed the EDD requesting a replacement form! I have tried to CALL EDD and as we all know you cant get through!

Now I fear that the time lag in thier system will cause me to miss the 2 weeks as well as the following weeks due to not having a claim form to submit!

I would really appreciate any suggestions any of you could email me as to how to resolve this issue and/or how to procede beyond what I have described above.

Does anyone know a higher level of supervision to file a complaint with? Please let me know if you do!

Comment On This

I have read the original complaint, and a few of the comments. So let me clear up a few things.

First of all, employees do NOT pay into unemployment insurance. It is a fee paid by the EMPLOYER. So please keep that in mind next time you claim that you paid it or it was deducted from your check, because it's not.

However, the taxes that employees pay include federal and state taxes, which go toward funding the staff who works at EDD.

I just want you to make sure you have those facts straight when making a complaint, so that way EDD will take your complaint more seriously.

Furthermore, EDD is under a tremendous strain. California's unemployment is around 12%, and a very large number of people are receiving UI benefits. This not only overloads the phone lines, but causes EDD employees to be pushed and bullied by their managers to file claims and deal with customers in an insanely fast manner. (My friend said her manager was forcing her team to file at least 50 claims a day, while other people are working with 10.) This leads to errors on the part of EDD, although it is definitely not conscious, and it is not malicious.

I know you are going to say "Hire more EDD staff then!" Well, if you aren't aware, the state is in financial disaster. The current EDD employees are forced to take 3 furlough days a month (meaning they HAVE to take 3 days off a month with no pay). Of course the ideal situation would be to hire more staff and put an in-person rep in every local office, but that is not the reality. However, I do know that the test to become a UI rep is open on the EDD's website, although I don't know how many positions they are looking for.

Also, please do not take things personally. This, I cannot stress enough. EDD and its representatives are not attacking you personally or trying to make your life hell. Yes you have kids. Yes you need to pay your rent. Trust me, they hear that all day, call after call, e-mail after e-mail. Instead of screaming at them, please try to be patient. They often have demanding managers pushing them to work faster than they should, have to take 3 days off a month with no pay, and have to listen to people complain to them all day long, often about things that are the claimant's fault. This kind of work environment can make anyone cranky, so please remember that you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar.

I understand the system is not perfect (far from it, actually), but try to keep these notes in mind. Getting so upset is really only affecting yourself and harming your mental and possibly physical health. I hope this cleared up a few of the comments I've seen on this website, and I sincerely apologize for any rudeness you've experienced, because no one deserves that, especially during financial hardship.

P.S. Please always remember to check EDD's website first for FAQs and questions, as well as consult the Guide to Benefits and Employment services located at the One-Stop centers as well as the website.

Comment On This

It would be impossible for me to cover all of my anger with the EDD in this comment. Let me just say that we are all dealing with a government bureaucracy that is incompetent, disorganized and demeaning. I just got off the phone after patiently waiting for my telephone interview. This would be my second in one year where both of the representatives were abusive, rude, unhelpful and hung up on me. I have never been more polite in a telephone conversation and my demands to speak to a manger were both rejected. The issue revolved around not sending my claim form back in time so my benefits were suspended. These actions were unwarranted according to my detailed documentation. In both cases the EDD was at fault for mailing me continued claim forms with a "deadline for return" that was earlier than the date of arrival. In fact, 1/3 of my checks usually arrive with an expired deadline for return. I was not even allowed to explain this before I was abruptly "cut-off" and hung up on.

Peoples lives and families are dependent on this meager income to survive. As the previous comment pointed out, I also have been paying into this system for 30 years, this being my first period of extended unemployment. To be treated like a third class citizen on the phone by a government employee has been the most humiliating experience of my life. THE ENTIRE STAFF SHOULD BE FIRED AND REPLACED BY THE UNEMPLOYED, starting with management down. Only then will the people of this State be treated with respect and dignity on the phone by those having had experienced such incredible fear and insecurity in these difficult times.

A letter writing campaign to the Governor needs to be started as someone needs to be accountable for the actions of the telephone operators. In my case they wouldn't even give me their last name. I am convinced that this area of government employment has also been sent overseas. For the first time in my life, I am starting to believe the conservative mantra that government is "Too Big". And that truly saddens me.

Comment On This

I've been out of work for almost 2 years. I have applied countless times & always received a letter saying I've been disqualified from receiving benefits. after making what seemed like over 100,000 calls I finally was told, " You haven't made enough money within the last 2 years to qualify" They told me if I wanted to receive benefits I would have to find a job, make 1100.00 dollars then quit then I would be eligible. I still cant figure it out.

Comment On This

This is happening to me now, I received one check after a one month wait for an interview and now I just thought we were rollin & today I get another notice for an interview at the end of the month. My rep could barely speak english and I had to have him repeat the questions. My kids have to eat, rent has to be paid, where am I suppose to get money from?. If my husband loses his job we are done. Today my rent is 4 days late, now we have to scrape to pay it. This is a game they are playing with our survival!

Comment On This

Dealing with EDD is a total nightmare. I reported income under $100 on a claim form and got flagged for an interview. I don't mind being interviewed but it is scheduled a month away. In the meantime all benefits stop. I have to suffer financial hardship for a month for being honest. When I called them they claimed I didn't report anything. I think it is wrong for honest recipients to be treated this way. They use falsehoods and stalling techniques to get people to give up on their claims. I wish I didn't have to be on unemployment but I have kids.

This treatment of Americans has got to stop. I have family members who died in wars for this country. The only way to make a difference is to let them know! Write the Governor and Congressman and tell them your EDD nightmare experiences! We pay 30% of our income in Federal and State taxes!

State Representatives

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Senators

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Arnold �Governator� Schwarzenegger

http://gov.ca.gov/interact#contact

Comment On This

Ridiculous... Shame on CA!

I applied on June 30th for Unemployment. I received 1 check on July 22nd. I have called 26 times this morning (they have been open 24 mins). Is this for real, why the hell, isn't this automated like NYS, it is 2009!!! No one picks up, no center to go to and almost 2 months unemployed and my savings will be done in a month!!! THIS IS MY MONEY! Taken from my paychecks, what the hell is the hold up?? Unbelievable!! Nothing will happen without citizens standing up and fighting for change.

Comment On This

This is happening to me as well. I thought about writing the government myself. It's a down right tragedy thats going on. I too called hundreds of times trying to get through, I finally got through and was told someone will call me back within 5 days, guess what I'm on my 5th day. I was already due 2 paychecks by today and because they said I filled out my claim form wrong both times I needed to call in. I even e-mailed EDD for someone to call me and still no call. I know what your going through and the sad part is I know now I'm not alone. Also, Hawaii should not be more advanced than us but guess what, you can touch tone your claim form dialing straight from your cell phone. How come California doesn't do that. Instead they put your claim forms through a machine so if there maybe an extra dot picked up they say you filled out your claim form wrong. California needs to think of a way better plan to help the Unemployed...