1- Online: Use the “Ask EDD” function on the EDD website.

Go to: Ask EDD

2- By Phone: Call UI Customer Service.

The wait can be long, but rest assure the best way to get help on your UI claim is by calling EDD representatives directly. If the agent on the phone is unable to answer your question, request to be transferred to a Tier 2 agent.

EDD phone line hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week, except state holidays.

English and Spanish: 1-800-300-5616
Cantonese: 1-800-547-3506
Mandarin: 1-866-303-0706
Vietnamese: 1-800-547-2058
California Relay Service (711): Provide the UI number (1-800-300-5616) to the operator
TTY: 1-800-815-9387

3- By Phone: Call an America’s Job Center of California (AJCC).

AJCCs are job centers available for California workers at no-cost. Some AJCC offices have in-house EDD representatives that can help you get started with applying for UI.

Locate your closest AJCC, call their office, and ask if there’s an EDD representative you can speak to. If EDD representatives are not in their office, try another AJCC.

Find your local AJCC.

4- Live: Join a Rapid Response Event Online

If you are a worker who was recently laid off, furloughed, or have general questions on unemployment insurance, you can join a Rapid Response event online, listen to an EDD presentation, and ask an EDD representative your questions.

Rapid Response is a presentation of workforce services for workers at no cost. Each Rapid Response event includes a presentation from EDD, Covered California, and a local workforce development board.

Find and join a Rapid Response event in your county.

5- Contact an Elected Official

If none of the above ways worked, call or email the office of your State Assembly Member, State Senator, or Senator’s office. Their offices can help you escalate your UI claim to EDD.

Find your local elected representative.