How to Get in Touch with the California EDD
If you've ever been hung up on by the EDD (California's Employment Development Department) because the maximum number of people on hold has been reached you understand. It can be incredibly frustrating to reach an actual EDD claim advisor to get answers to your paid family leave or disability questions, update a claim, or find out where your missing benefits are.
When my daughter was born, not only did I apply for Paid Family Leave outside the application window, but I also accidentally put the wrong year for the dates I was taking leave (I blame pregnancy brain). When I got the denial letter in the mail I had no idea what to do so I called the EDD. I called, and I called, and I called. Weeks later I eventually got through and everything was sorted out. But the steam coming out of my ears in frustration as I called and called was almost enough to make me give up.
And I don’t want you to give up!
Here are six tips to get in touch with the EDD and get your parental leave questions answered, based on both the EDD’s official recommendations and our experience working directly with them over the years.
Tip 1: Time your call to the EDD
There are several schools of thought when it comes to the best time to call the EDD, all of which can work. The EDD has told us the best time to call is around 10am on Mondays. Monday because that’s when they have the most agents answering the phone. And around 10am because you’ll miss the rush of people calling first thing in the morning.
Disability Insurance Contact numbers:
English: 1-800-480-3287
Spanish: 1-866-658-8846
TTY: 1-800-563-2441
Paid Family Leave Contact numbers:
English: 1-877-238-4373
Spanish: 1-877-379-3819
TTY: 1-800-445-1312
Tip 2: Go into an EDD office
There are several EDD offices throughout California and often no line to wait in. If there is an office near you, just make sure you go to the correct office for the claim you have questions about.
Here is a list of locations where you can find Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave Offices.
Tip 3: Use a third party call-back provider
If you’re willing to throw down a little cash you can bypass the frustration of getting hung up on or looking for parking at an EDD office by using a third party call-back provider like Claimyr.com. Services like this charge between $30 and $60, and offer direct call back from the EDD. Just don’t miss the call when they call you back!
When signing up make sure to select the correct call-back line. There are different numbers for SDI and PFL.
Tip 4: Use SDI Online
You can apply for benefits, check your claim status, upload documents, and order forms all on EDD.gov through SDI Online. Log into your account, click SDI Online, and navigate through the site to get the information you need. Not everything is accessible online and sometimes you need to talk to a real person, but if you can do what you need online this is definitely the easiest route.
To get information about appeals, missing payments, or reset your password you may need to get in touch with the EDD by phone or in person.
Tip 5: Contact your local representative
If you don’t feel like you’re receiving the support you should from the EDD and aren’t getting the answers you need, contact your local representative—that’s what they are for! Remember, our State Senate and Assembly representatives are here to help us access community and state resources, like state-sponsored parental leave benefits like disability insurance and paid family leave. Often, they have a button on their website for EDD help.
We know how frustrating it can be to get in touch with the EDD and get your parental leave questions answered—we’ve been there! But remember, you’re not alone, and you have options.
And if you still feel like you need more support, that’s exactly why Hello, Bundle exists! We’ve helped thousands of new and expecting parents in California get the benefits they’re entitled to so they get the long, paid parental leave they deserve.
If you want to make sure you’re maximizing your parental leave, book a CA Parental Leave Bundle with us. You’ll get a 45-minute consulting call with one of our CA parental leave specialists, a personalized parental leave calendar, a PDF guide that explains how, when, where to apply for benefits, office hours if any questions come up down the road, and peace of mind knowing you have our support and are getting the longest paid parental leave possible.
Hello, Bundle helps new and expecting parents navigate parental leave so they can take the maximum amount of paid parental leave possible when they welcome a child into their family. We provide daily parental leave tips and tricks on TikTok and Instagram, and offer personalized support across the U.S. through consulting calls, custom parental leave calendars, and PDF parental leave guides. Get support in your state here.
