Like 10 percent of Californians, I’m unemployed. Unlike millions of other Californians, I’ve yet to receive a check yet. To get the ball rolling, I’ve been calling the California EDD office. After a couple of months of no success, I finally got through to a live person. Yippee/Sarcasm. For kicks, let’s look at the hoops I had to jump through because one piece of paper had a misprint, after the jump.
This is the problem. Because the first woman I spoke to, let’s call her CA Worker #1, was so impatient and not sure of her answers to me, I called two different phone numbers to clear up my paper work problems. They give me two different answers and two different addresses to send in my paperwork. W…T…F? The bureaucracy in this state is so GD frustrating.
Exhibit A – Acceptable Documents for Identity Verification
Look at the picture above and tell me that you see two tables, because that’s what I see. Now this is the quote from the text above the boxes: “You must provide proof of identity. Please provide one document from the ‘Photo Identification’ table and one (or more) of the documents from the ‘Other Identity Documents’ table below.” Remember, there are two tables and they want one from each table.
I already sent in my CA driver’s license and my W-2 form, last month. One from each table. Done… so I thought. But no check, no update.
I learn from CA Worker #1 that I need four forms. Yes four. CA Worker #1 tells me I also need a utility bill and yet another form of ID, like, say… my driver’s license? Which I already sent in? Yeah. Except that she’s dead wrong. I need my annual statement from the Social Security Administration. No, my social security card does not work. I get the mailing address from her and I’m off to make another call because I just don’t trust this woman.
Moving on to CA Worker #2. He is much more informative and polite, but again, I feel like my chain is being yanked. He tells me I need only three of those documents. Are you shitting me? And he gives me an entirely different address to send my forms.
I find out from CA Worker #2 that if your driver’s license address doesn’t match your current address, you need to send in your utility bill. It doesn’t matter if your W-2 has your current address–like mine does. Where the hell else would you send your W-2? Nowhere on the instruction form does it say that your driver’s license must have your current address, otherwise you must send in the utility bill.
We wonder why the state has a 40 billion dollar deficit? The amount of paper work that I’ve receive from–and must send to–EDD is ridiculous. The website is a joke. The call center is disorganized and uninformed.
The worst part of this is that these problems could be resolved by one simple step: write clear and complete instructions. That alone would reduce the number of phone calls and appeals that are filed. Wow! One piece of paper caused me–and probably countless others–so much drama. One piece of paper, with incorrect instructions, that is being sent to millions of Californians has got the wrong fucking information on it.
And CA Worker #1 has the nerve to tell me to “read the directions clearly.” I did! Hey California, hire a damned Editor. One piece of paper is probably costing millions of dollars in BS phone calls and letters.
Tags: California, EDD, Rant
Thank you for all of your information. I’m glad I’m not the only one beind frustrated by the EDD office. I recently moved to another state and trying to be honest, I told the EDD office. Didn’t realize they would take that opportunity to not pay me…
After reading thru the posts, and not being able to get thru on the 800 number for weeks, I called the Los Angeles Call Center number in post #41 (thank you), and they transferred me to the call center. The first time I got through, I got a woman who said she couldn’t give me any info about my claim (so why is she answering the phoen then). I called the Call Center back again and they transferred me to the Spanish line where I did get a representative who was able to look up information about my claim. They have me scheduled for an appointment on 12/17 so wish me luck.
California is a state that panders to the irresponsible. Illegal aliens get much better treatment than citizens. The responsible in this state, i.e. those who have become unemployed as a result of the Pelosi-Reid engineered destruction of a huge chunk of the private sector are not considered worthwhile by the government workers who normally got their jobs becuase of what they are, not because of what they’ve accomplished. If you get hired based on race or gender, the only way to lose your job is to change your race or gender, the workers know this and could not care less about their jobs.
I have been going through the same thing with EDD…. They do fucking suck and those people are fucking stupid. I was wronfully denied my bennifits and appealed back in april…Still no check!! My poere was shut off and me and my pregnant wife were made homeless
Californians becoming homeless as EDD fails to send out unemployment checks
articles:
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_13962976
and
http://economy.freedomblogging.com/2009/12/17/did-you-get-your-unemployment-extension-check/#comment-16695
and
http://unemploymentality.com/2009/06/tips-and-tricks-getting-through-to-californias-edd-sanity-in-tact/
and
http://unemploymentality.com/2009/12/oh-edd-how-you-make-people-hate-thee/comment-page-1/#comment-17755
Dear readers,
Please read the links and know the EDD scam/screw-up is still true right now 12/30/09 – I hope the news media or somebody can do some investigating and bring the plight of so many poor unemployed Californians into the light. I thought I was the only one in this EDD hell, but I know now there must be many others. My regular benefits ran out on 12/5/09 and I still (as of 12/30/09) have not received any paperwork or checks from the EDD. I have phoned and written and emailed the EDD. I have written to my state senator (Mark Leno), state Assemblyperson (Fiona Ma), Governor (Arnold Schwarzenegger), representative Nancy Pelosi, Senators Boxer and Feinstein and the EDD over and over since 12/15/09 when the EDD announced that it had mailed checks to ALL of California’s unemployed people (the EDD lied). I have only received requests for campaign contributions from the elected officials /rolls eyes. I have telephoned 866-333-4600 and checked my file and discovered that EDD has NOT mailed me any checks since my last extension check period ending 12/5/09. I have telephoned 800-300-5616 repeatedly to speak with an EDD representative only to get the recording “We are currently receiving more calls then we can handle” — goodbye … click dial tone. I have tried the Vietnamese line and the 12117 trick with the same “too many calls” click result. I have not gotten any response or any help. I have used the https://eapply4ui.edd.ca.gov/eddcomm/asp/frmEDDCOMM.aspx email since 12/21/09 with EDD reference #2288657, #2312559, #2323361 and been ignored. There is no way to see an EDD representative in person anymore. All of the postings on the EDD site must be just cheap, scam, lying PR by the EDD trying to make it look like they are doing their job. But in fact I will be going homeless on or about January 1, 2010 because I do not have enough money to pay my rent due to this EDD mess. My last check stated clearly on its top that I was eligible for additional extensions and no further action was required on my part — that was almost a month ago. I am 56 years old with chronic health problems and no family or other place to go — I am totally able to work and I am a good worker — but being homeless at this time of year is a real death sentence for me. I have called and written to news media and every government agency I could find applicable with no response. WTF is going on with our government and media? I suppose Ebenezer Scrooge is now in control and the unemployed should all die soon and decrease the surplus population — is that the idea? I hope some power, be it media or government or group, will step forward and help all of the other poor unemployed people and bring the State’s callousness into the light of public knowledge. This is a desperate situation that is being totally ignored by the media and the government. Perhaps somebody can organize a mass march on Sacramento where we can set up an “Arnoldville” as we all become homeless.
I am posting a continuation of my previous post — as an update for those thousands of unemployed facing eviction and hunger due to the EDD mess. On December 31, 2009 received first email response to my EDD email ref# 2288657 (sent to EDD 12/23/09). Stating that EDD “forwarded a request for your next extension to begin effective 12/06/09. You have exhausted your 2nd extension. You should receive documents in the mail shortly…” And then on 1/2/2010 I received a telephone call from a lady identifying herself as an EDD employee. She would not give me her name but only her initials. She told me “we are sorry for any inconvenience but several thousand unemployed people were overlooked and not mailed checks on 12/15/09 and we will be processing them and you in the future. You need to have patience and understand that you will receive notices from us in the future.” I told her I knew she could not be held to an actual date but could she give me a non-binding hint at when I may get any mail from the EDD. She then said “next week or the week after that.” And last but not least today 1/4/2010 I received my FIRST response from any politician to whom I have emailed since 12/23/09. The response was from State Senator Mark Leno. Three points he made 1) EDD director Patric Henning resigned 12/17/09, 2) I should phone Senator Leno’s office and 3) Senator Leno conveyed that he wanted to help me and that his staff normally helps citizens in his district as quickly as they can. After I received Senator Leno’s email I actually received a telephone call from a nice woman who said she worked in his office. She took some more information and was going to follow up on my case. So my advice is look up your state senator and state assemblymember and begin telephoning their local offices. You will need to provide information about your case and understand they are swamped with requests for help right now.
Anyway, I had not read about Patrick Henning’s resignation (cheer oh happy days) or the THOUSANDS of Californians who did NOT get sent checks on 12/15/09 (contrary the EDD website) in any newspaper I read, nor did I see it on any newscast I watch local and CNN, MSNBC, Fox. Absolutely unbelievable isn’t it? I find the lack of media coverage on this EDD fiasco amazing — especially in this day and age with our technology. I mean it is mind bending to me that I can turn on CNN and other networks and see all day coverage of police chasing an empty balloon or see all day coverage of a barn fire in Iowa, but really important news that is affecting thousands of living breathing human beings is somehow overlooked. Just like me and the thousands of unemployed people who are being ignored by the EDD. Reality really is stranger than any fiction one can imagine isn’t it?
I am crying right now. I remember the days before 1980 when working people had value. Since 1981 working people are on their own and the government and rich feel its better we die because 33 million illegal immigrants easily replace us. If you face eviction due to the government mess know a Homeless Prevention Fund – Rental Assistance is available through HUD to communities. San Francisco link is: http://sfhomeless.wikia.com/wiki/San_Francisco_Departm ent_of_Human_Services_– _CalWORKs#Homeless_Prevention_Fund_-_Rental_Assistance The City makes us call various charities which pass us along to other charities; but at the end we may get a ONE time loan to cover some rent. In my case $800. Do not give up. The rich, media, government, republicans AND democrats are our enemies. They want working people dead so they can replace us with illegals. Do not die, but fight and live. Post here whatever can help fellow Americans. God help us all. UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FAIL.
I’m trying to find an EDD office near my home but the website doesn’t seem to list any….they REALLY DON’T WANT TO BE CONTACTED. If you call, you will not get through and they will hang up on you. I was denied my unemployment benefits, EVEN THOUGH THE RATIONALE FOR WHY I CAN GET THEM IS POSTED ON THEIR WEBSITE!!!! I am an honest working person who has worked since the age of 17 and I can get no benefits, whereas my lazy, lying friends are all on the dole and get all the money they want for pretending to be disabled. They know how to work the system and get lots of lawyers to help them. It’s amazing. A decent person cannot get a break in this country.
I’m just SHOCKED! This system is way messed up. I have spent weeks, months trying to get my files straight with these morons. They tell me I don’t sign my docs? Yet – my copies are signed. The next excuse is that I didn’t fill out my forms correctly, again, they’re filled out correctly on my copies. They say I’ve been suspended, need to refill – and then questioned about why I refiled? Last November 29th, I spent 45 minutes on the phone with a lovely lady discussing my situation (all of the above). This lovely lady assured me my file was cleared up, that all was handled – all I had to do was submit my new claims which she was sending for the weeks ending 10/25/09 and 11/07/09 – signed, et al and all would be fine. I mentioned an email EDD had sent me having me open a new claim – which I did reluctantly knowing it would mess me up again – and she again assured me there would be no problem. On 12/07/09 I mailed in the form filled out correctly, signed it and shipped it on 12/7/09. Two weeks later I received a letter from stating my benefits were on HOLD???? AGAIN???? A that they have set up an interview on Dec. 24, 2009 – between 10 -12pm to verify my eligibility? SERIOUSLY???? Didn’t I not just go through this with these crazy people. Did I not just speak to one of their coordinators. I was just told all was fine – and to submit my claims to catch me up – and here I sit two weeks later with a letter stating I’m on hold????? What is happening at EDD?????? I’ve never been on unemployment in my 16+ year career until now – I’ve paid WAY into the system and I’m getting the short-end of the stick???? I have $7,000 left in benefits according to the letter they sent approving my eligibility – yet I can’t get them to send me a check. I missed the 12/24/09 call at 10:15am since my daughter feel down in front of my house and got hurt – I ran in and missed the call. I tried fo 2 hours to get thru and email to tell them I was here – just that my daughter got hurt – well – no one has answered an email or picked up the phone since 12/24/09. I have sent over 16 emails and even one to good Arnold … no reply there either – Shocked again!!! This system is stinky! I’m praying round two in my interviews goes well next week – because I can’t stand working with these lame people at the EDD!! And people want government sponsored health care! OY!
I have not had problems with the EDD…till now. I got filed for a third extension just prior to the new year, got my claim form a few days later, and mailed it accordingly. That was 12 days ago. I had no idea trying to even contact the EDD was so difficult. Apparently somebody manages to do it, since its busy all the damn time. I dont blame the workers nearly as much as I blame our wonderful California Government. They waited so long to update the system, they just began doing it last december! Its all just a mess, I guess I can’t worry too much, its out of my control anyway.
On Monday, Jan 11th, I read an article in the OC Register that the E.D.D. had identified 62,000 people that had “fallen through the cracks” due to programming glitches since the beginning of December 2009. It further went on to say that by Jan 11, 2010 letters/claim forms would be sent. Well … here it is, Jan. 17, 2010 and guess what? NOT A FUCKING THING in the mail from E.D.D.! I say that until these 62,000 people have been paid from the E.D.D. there should be a random lottery of 62,000 government workers that won’t be receiving checks until the problem is fixed. Watch how fast these assclowns get with the program then.
I am going through the same problem. I was collecting fine, had a small job and when it ended i refiled. They sent me the same form saying I wasn’t in their system!!! They don’t have my ss number even though i also received a notice with my correct ss and name regarding a PIN number for the unemployment check status.
So I followed the instructions for identity verification. I sent in my last pay stub, mail to my address, copies of my drivers and social. Then I received a letter saying I had “KNOWINGLY” supplies false information?????? Which may be the standard letter they send out. regardless, I am told that I will be penalized for 3 years!!! Might as well shoot me now.
What they don’t tell you is you need to go to your ss office and have them verify you with a document. I was told on the phone that this is what they are looking for. So I have sent that in immediately with every piece if info I could find, birth certificate, mail, passport, my year end ss paperwork. So before I appeal I need to know what they say next.
Because of an EDD snafu, I have to give my 30 day notice at my place as my industry has been hit hard.
Edd is not functional. And when they correct mistakes you have already paid the price for something that belongs to you.
F you unemployment maze.
I am sorry for those who didn’t get extension checks
You think 2 – weeks is bad?? Imagine going 24 weeks with No check, no income and no husband to support you.
Yes, i was one of those people who was denied unemployment and had to file an appeals to prove I was deserving
yes, in this situation, you are guilty until proven innocent. Many employers are misusing the system to their benefit.
My story is that I won my appeals after waiting almost 5 months with no check at all. Nothing. How do you eat, pay for gas? How do you pay utilites and apt??
I am humiliated and the loss of dignity is beyond words. Living from a suitcase on friends sofas. Packing and moving every 3 weeks to another friend.
even my friends are asking, when are you getting your check, you won the appeals.
I am sickened and this is beyond a hardship.
i want everyone to stand up and demand what we need from our state that we supported and elected politicians to manage the bureaucracy.
WHERE IS THE MONEY
I’m one of the 62,000 people that have stopped receiving benefits before my original claim ended (had $2,300 remaining, and that’s not including the extension). I received a blank claim form in the mail (which obviously can’t be mailed back) and that was it. No explanation whatsoever. That was for the week ending November 28, 2009. Absolutely nothing since. I have repeatedly phoned EDD, but like everyone else, have found it impossible to get through. I’ve also emailed, and will continue to do so. I am now considering legal action and am in the midst of locating an appropriate attorney, although I’m anticipating a difficult search because there isn’t much financial incentive for an attorney to take this on…not individually, anyway. A class lawsuit might be more enticing.
I’m quickly running out of reserve funds, and am on the brink of major financial disaster. Also, it’s not like I haven’t been working or looking…I’ve done plenty of both since I was laid off two years ago, but the work I’ve found is not nearly enough to keep me going until the economy, or whatever it takes, turns around. This current situation with EDD is trampling the working class. It is a travesty.
Jeff, I’m with you I think. Though I have to believe that 62,000 number EDD is throwing around is way to low. The last payment I have received was for Nov 28th. Nothing since, no contact from EDD, no response to very polite emails. I spent 3 days this week getting a representative on the phone. All he said he could do was send me a bunch of new claim forms. Also, that 10 day processing time? The EDD rep told me it is now 15 days. 15 days to process a form that is issued every 14 days. Plus time to mail, receive, process by the claimant, mail the new form. Do you see this disaster? Every cycle they will be a few days more behind than the last. EVERYONE’s checks are going to get messed up. EDD now owes me 4,000 in back claims. And still don’t have any forms for December or January. Where is the outcry from the press? I see an article now and then, but this needs to be front and center on the State’s agenda and on every newspaper until it is resolved.
This has GOT to be the single most inept department in the history of California “government” After having been jerked around since 12/14 – calling, going to the local offices, sending emails, etc – I FINALLY got a claim form on 1/19/10 for week-ending 12/14/09. And that was it. I did finally receive this check, which only paid for one week, but with no claim form included, only the same unnerving/maddening message on the stub at the top of the check “Your second extension is exhausted and you are eligible for another extension. It will be automatically filed for you, and no further action is required on your part. Blah Blah Blah” Well, this is the same fucking message I got in early December-09 – so I’ll have to wait another 7 weeks for a check? I’ve sent them so many emails – polite at first, and becoming more and more mad with each email. By the last of about 500 emails sent to these imbeciles, I was using every curse word known to man. Today – 1/26/10 – I started receiving responses to some of the emails that I’ve sent. It appears that someone didn’t appreciate some of my comments, such as “FUCK THE E.D.D. – FUCK CALIFORNIA – and while I’m at it – FUCK YOU TOO. My poor little cold black heart is just weeping that one of these simpleminded gimps didn’t care for “my tone” I’ve sent them a few more emails today – in the same “tone” – with “MY emails can’t possibly be as bad or worse than the hundreds of thousands that this BULLSHIT department has been receiving in the last several months.”
Immature on my part? Most definately. Did I feel one iota better after having ranted several paragraphs of total word-vomit to these imbeciles? Abso-fucking-lutely.
Nothing else works – phone calls, emails, visits to the E.D.D. offices … let these fools endure the wrath of California residents that their ineptitude has directly affected. I know that when I WAS working, if I had behaved as poorly, treated people as badly, or couldn’t do the job for which I had been hired, I would’ve been fired immediately. Why can’t the residents of this formerly “great” state get the same satisfaction?
When the creditors “crooks” come for their
money I’ll just simply give them the 800 300 5616 number.
I mean who even needs credit? Especially when all they really
want is to put us in FEMA camps. Hopefully
you all will find a family or friend to house you.
Become a vegetarian. We are all in this mess together.
Look at credit reform? It is merely laughable. A joke.
We are being set up to fail. Soldiers are being maimed and
dying in the name of?
People need to unite and as a group
we will need to revolt. They won’t ever willingly give
us “true” freedom. They make too much money from our enslavement
they’ve drawn the line in the sand. So should we. Power to the people!
End the fed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hate EDD, god damn they suck! I put my cell on automatic redial and it still took me several days to get through. They denied my claim.
I have relatives that I can stay with but what really f-ing pisses me off about being denied unemployment is that I have:
A: payed into this f-ing system since I was f-ing 16 yrs old
B: Both of my neighbors are illegals and get unemployment checks?
So the benefits that I have already paid for several god d*mn times over I can’t get, but an illegal who hasn’t paid sh*t gets benefits? WTF, fine if that is the way thing are, I know where to go – just rob a Mexican they have a sh*tload of cash.
First of all Anna Mouse, don’t blame your neighbors for the mess your going through. And know that you’re not alone. Also we do not pay into unemployment, the companies we have worked for do.
I lost my job the end of Aug 2009 and my claim was denied. I lost my first appeal, appealed to the second step where you go in front of a independent judge to plead your case. Depending on why you lost your job it’s a 50/50 chance you will win.
In my case, I was terminated for misconduct. The company had to prove that it was intentional ” Misconduct connected with the work” is a substantial breach by the claimant of an important duty or obligation owed the employer, willful or wanton in character, and tending to injure the employer.
The ALJ (judge), ruled that basically the company’s case failed to show that I had any intention to harm the company and they were not justified in their actions and it was evident that they fired me for other reasons they did not disclose, and OVERTURNED the appeal.
Finally after 18 weeks 4 days I received my first checks and it was retro. The next 2 checks came, my bi-weekly form was filled out correctly each time I mailed it and to my delight my last check is missing in action. After 300 calls to no avail i received a letter with a telephone interview in 3 more weeks.
My local EED office, even though they actually care, have no clue WTF is going on and tell me that I will need to wait for the interview to find out. I am past frustrated, my mortgage will be late for the first time since we bought this home and this whole process is bring me to tears. I know there are a lot of you out there that must be hurting more that my family and my heart goes out to you.
To the employee’s of EDD that can resolve the misfortune everyone has experienced in this forum. Don’t you realize that most of us did not choose to be unemployed? “PLEASE HELP” Also after winning my case with EDD, I have entered the arbitration process to get my job back. My lawyers are confident (99%) that I will prevail but he process will take another 9 months.
yes, i have been going through the same edd hell!
you work hard and bust your ass, get laid off, and they still put you through hell. to me they are no different than the fuckin mob, their all a bunch of fucking crooks!!
they wonder why people shoot places like that up, i used to feel sorry for the pricks, but after 3 appeals and hold after hold i really could give 2 shits about them if someone does actually go postal in that fuckin place! they can all go to hell for all i care, fuck the system!
2 months later I just keep getting told ’someone’ will call me back… so when are we breaking down the edd doors? I call for guerrilla warfare now!
Unbelievable, Looks as though we found some common ground. I agreed to stop screaming and they agreed to do their freaking jobs. Issue has been resolved and note attached to my file with a polite request to stop busting my balls. It also helped that I finally got a chance to talk to a guy instead of some fat ass bitch on a power trip.
Oh, and try this number 415 351-7205 , the hell with waiting until they call …….. good luck
I’m sorry to burst anyone’s bubble, but….. if you think EDD sucks, you are extremely wrong. They MORE than suck. Every employee should be ashamed. I wish they were expecting their EDD UI checks that will only be “waited for” as every bill you have gets later, and later. Well, now after exhausting my regular benefits, with all the problems you all have had, they have now screwed me out of any extension that was WRITTEN and I QUALIFIED for on their website. FIRE THEM ALL, PUT THEM ALL ON UI, HIRE SOMEONE WHO WILL ACTUALLY RETURN YOUR EMAILS. LETS OVERHAUL CURRENT EDD EMPLOYMENT ROSTERS, LETS OVERTHROW THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION. WE, the workers who suffered, OUT NUMBER THEM. R E V O L U T I O N ! ! !
Right on, overhaul CA EDD current employees. Call for their resignations. Revolution.
Class action lawsuit against every EDD employee? Anyone agree? I bet if a lawyer took this, and each and every EDD employee was named in the lawsuit, all of our emails, phone attempts, letters would be addressed. What do you say CA?