If you’re having trouble speaking with someone at the Employment Development Department—often called the EDD—or have not had any progress made on an issue you’re having, there are a few different ways you can contact the EDD.
If you have received a Notice of Overpayment or a Notice of Determination, you should file an appeal to request an independent judge to check the EDD’s decision. You can find our instructions on how to appeal at Appeal a Notice of Determination or Notice of Overpayment: How To Protect Your Unemployment Insurance Benefits.
Call The EDD
For general issues, the main way to contact the EDD is still their Unemployment Customer Service number.
Despite the difficulty that many people have getting in contact with an actual person at the EDD, this is still the primary means to contact the department if you are having a problem. The department provides different numbers for different language needs, which are listed below:
English and Spanish: 1-800-300-5616
Armenian: 1-855-528-1518
Cantonese: 1-800-547-3506
Korean: 1-844-660-0877
Mandarin: 1-866-303-0706
Tagalog: 1-866-395-1513
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
You can find an up-to-date number at the EDD website.
Get Help from a State Representative or Senator
Your local state representative’s office may be able to help you with a problem you are having with your claim. Find which office to contact, enter your address, and the site will give you the names of the state representatives and links to their websites.
You should call or reach out to the representative’s District Office. Many of these representatives provide specific services for assisting with agencies like the EDD. Look for tabs or links that say things like “EDD Assistance Request” or “Get Help with Government Agencies,” and follow the instructions to contact their office.
Ask a Question in the Online Portal
If you have an online account with EDD, you can ask some questions on the “Contact” tab of the account. Start by logging in at portal.edd.ca.gov, then click “UI Online” and then “Register or Manage an Existing Claim.” Afterward, you should be able to click “Contact” on the upper-right hand corner of the page.
Use AskEdd
You can find answers to some common questions at askedd.edd.ca.gov. You can also send messages to the EDD about some issues through this site.
Send a Letter by Mail
If you are still struggling to get a response, send a letter to the EDD. Send the letter to the address on the top of one of the notices you have received from the EDD. Make sure to include your birth date, your mailing address, your phone number, and your social security number or your EDD account number.
If these tools have not worked for you, contact our office and we can discuss whether there is specific assistance we can offer.
