California Unemployment (EDD) Phone Number & Contact Information
Sacramento, CA · edd.ca.gov
California Unemployment (EDD) Phone Number
| Phone | (800) 300-5616 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM PT (except state holidays) |
| Website | edd.ca.gov |
USA Customer Care is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by California Unemployment (EDD). Official website: edd.ca.gov. The numbers below are verified against official sources — always confirm on the official site.
About California Unemployment (EDD)
Unemployment benefits in California are run by the Employment Development Department (EDD). If you lost your job through no fault of your own, EDD pays weekly Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits while you look for work. You apply, certify for benefits every two weeks, and manage your claim through myEDD and UI Online at edd.ca.gov.
Most people call EDD to file a new claim, to fix an issue that is holding up a payment, to certify when they cannot get online, or to reach a live representative about their specific claim. The main UI customer service line is 1-800-300-5616, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific time, in English and Spanish. Monday and Tuesday mornings before 10:00 AM are the busiest times to call, so call later in the week if you can.
Before you call, most tasks are faster online: at edd.ca.gov you can file a claim, certify for benefits, check your payment status, and update your information through UI Online without waiting on hold. Keep your Social Security number and, if you have one, your EDD Customer Account Number handy — you will need them to verify your identity.
EDD Unemployment Customer Service
đ Official source: edd.ca.gov â · ✓ Verified 2026-08-07
Common EDD Unemployment Customer Service issues & fixes
The main line for new claims, payment problems, eligibility questions, and reaching a representative about your UI claim. Busiest Monday and Tuesday mornings; call later in the week for shorter waits. Have your Social Security number and EDD Customer Account Number ready.
EDD Tele-Cert (certify by phone)
đ Official source: edd.ca.gov â · ✓ Verified 2026-08-07
Common EDD Tele-Cert (certify by phone) issues & fixes
Use this automated line to certify for your benefits by phone every two weeks if you cannot certify in UI Online. Have your EDD Customer Account Number ready.
TTY (deaf or hard of hearing)
đ Official source: edd.ca.gov â · ✓ Verified 2026-08-07
Step-by-Step Guides
California Unemployment (EDD) — Frequently Asked Questions
The EDD Unemployment Insurance customer service line is 1-800-300-5616, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific time (except state holidays). It serves English and Spanish speakers; the TTY line for the deaf or hard of hearing is 1-800-815-9387.
Call later in the week and later in the day. Monday and Tuesday mornings before 10:00 AM are the busiest. Many issues can also be handled in UI Online at edd.ca.gov without calling.
The fastest way is online through myEDD and UI Online at edd.ca.gov. You can also file by phone at 1-800-300-5616. Have your Social Security number, employment history, and last employer's details ready.
Certify every two weeks in UI Online, or use EDD Tele-Cert by phone at 1-866-333-4606. You must certify to be paid, answering questions about your work search and any income for those weeks.
Payments are often held for a certification you missed, an eligibility question, or an identity check. Sign in to UI Online to see any pending items and messages, and call 1-800-300-5616 if you cannot resolve it online.
Have your Social Security number, your EDD Customer Account Number if you have one, your employment history, and details of the weeks you are asking about. This lets the representative or the online tools verify your identity and find your claim.
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