Unemployment Phone Lines Open on Saturdays to Meet Increased Demand

SACRAMENTO – The state Employment Development Department (EDD) is responding to increased demand for unemployment insurance benefit assistance by opening its call center phone lines from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, beginning March 21.

“EDD is committed to augmenting our time and resources to help the growing number of Californians who have lost their jobs during this nation-wide recession,” EDD Director Patrick Henning said. “We’re already hiring more staff to keep up with unprecedented demand and ensure benefits continue to be paid on time. By extending the hours of our call centers, we will be able to serve more unemployed workers more efficiently.”

While the additional call center hours will provide unemployed workers with greater access to the UI program, customers are encouraged to apply for benefits and request additional information online at www.edd.ca.gov <http://www.edd.ca.gov/>  if at all possible. It is the quickest and easiest way to file a claim and the vast majority of unemployed workers should be able to utilize this option.

The UI call center phone numbers available for individuals to call on Saturdays are:

•       English:  1-800-300-5616

•       Spanish: 1-800-326-8937

In addition to adding Saturday hours for the UI Call Centers, EDD has implemented several measures to help meet the unprecedented demand for UI benefits. EDD has committed staff working overtime, and has implemented internal task redirections, boosted online options, and started hiring 400 additional staff to improve our ability to meet the growing demand. In addition, EDD is continuing to develop further tools and options to better assist those in need and cut costs where possible. That includes: 

•       Creating alternatives to the current 1-800 number for handling more routine inquiries;

•       Developing new materials so the process of applying for UI benefits and submitting forms will be easier; and

•       Purchasing new equipment that will increase online access.

EDD is now paying a total of $77 million a day in regular UI and federal extension benefits. This includes an additional $6 million in federal stimulus payments, which works out to an additional $25 a week for every UI client – money critical to unemployed workers and to their local communities. In fact, California was one of the few states that were able to start paying those stimulus payments on the first day of eligibility. 

Most importantly, unemployed workers need timely UI benefit payments.  And despite the record demand that is occurring, unemployed workers should receive their first benefit check within three weeks of applying for benefits, barring any eligibility issues. That is the fastest that checks can be issued under the requirements of the program. Following the initial check, claimants should receive subsequent checks every two weeks after submitting their bi-weekly claim forms.