7/10/2023
Being out of work is something that can happen at any time and for different reasons. Fortunately, in the United States you have Unemployment Insurance, which can help you while you find another employer.
This service is offered by the employment department of each state, so the help and procedures must be done from the corresponding state agency. In this article we will tell you how to contact the California unemployment service by phone and the procedures you can follow.
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California Unemployment (EDD) phone number
In this state, the Employment Development Department (EDD) is in charge of managing everything related to work and unemployment in California, and its telephone number in English and Spanish is 1-800-300-5616.
Through this service, you can get help filing by phone, receive technical assistance with online registration, answer general questions about the UI, and reset EDD passwords and account numbers.
California EDD Hotline Hours
The California Employment Service is open from 8 am to 5 pm (PT) Monday through Friday (except holidays). We recommend that you call after 10 am on Mondays.
Other California Employment Development Department phone numbers
In addition to the general customer service phone number listed above, there are other numbers available for specific procedures to expedite the steps you need to take:
Self-Service for Unemployment Insurance
The telephone number for English and Spanish is 1-866-333-4606, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
This specific alternative is useful to get information on how to make a new application or reactivate one you have already made.
You can also inquire about the last payment received, request copies of 1099G forms with tax information, certify benefits through EDD's Tele-Cert, and find the nearest American Job Center in California.
Paid Family Leave (PFL)
If you have questions about PFL or Paid Family Leave, you can visit this information page on the Employment Development Department's website.
If you want to speak to a PFL agent, you have 4 options:
- TTY or teletypewriter: 1-800-445-1312.
- English assistance: 1-877-238-4373.
- Spanish assistance: 1-877-379-3819.
- CA Relay Service (711): You must give your paid family leave number to the operator at 1-877-238-4373.
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Disability Insurance
You can find information about Disability Insurance or DI by visiting this link. If you want to speak directly with a representative, the hours are 8 am to 5 pm (PT) and Monday through Friday (except state holidays). You have several options:
- TTY or teletypewriter: 1-800-563-2441.
- English assistance: 1-800-480-3287.
- Spanish assistance: 1-866-658-8846.
- CA Relay Service (711): You must give your paid family leave number to the operator at 1-877-238-4373.
Payroll Tax
The Employment Development Department also gives you the option of contacting a knowledgeable payroll tax agent. You can do this in 3 ways:
- Telephone: 1-888-745-3886.
- TTY: 1-800-547-9565.
- CA Relay Service (711): You must give the operator the payroll tax assistance number at 1-888-745-3886.
California Unemployment Benefits Overpayment.
This particular circumstance occurs when you receive additional money for disability, unemployment or paid family leave without meeting the established requirements. It is advisable that you return what you have collected to prevent the state from trying to legally collect from you.
Before you receive the 'notice of collection for overpayment of benefits', you have the opportunity to endorse a check for the amount paid. This happens because the refund cannot be made online without the mentioned notice (DE 8344JUDR/S), letter number and applicant number.
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In combination with the above, EDD will send you by regular mail the 'notice of collection of overpayment of benefits' 30 days after the 'notice of overpayment of benefits or the 'notice of denial of benefits and overpayment of benefits' in case your appeal has not proceeded.
For assistance with this issue, you may contact the benefit overpayment recovery section from 8 am to 5 pm (PT) at 1-800-676-5737. At that number, you can receive assistance with:
- Questions about your overpayment.
- Updating your phone/cell phone or address.
- Technical problems such as inability to register for benefit overpayment services and online benefit programs.
Finally, if you want to contact an American Job Center in California, you can use the office locator on the EDD website or call 1-916-654-7799.
Español: Número del desempleo de California en español