Navigating the EDD (Employment Development Department) system when you’re unemployed can be a real struggle. Interviews with the EDD’s deputy director of public affairs, Loree Levy, shed light on the best ways to get your questions answered. It appears that a phone call might not be the most efficient way to do it. Instead, doing some preliminary research on the EDD’s official website can provide quicker solutions. Their FAQ section is updated weekly to help keep you informed. For those whose claim years haven’t ended, but their money has, Levy clarifies that while there have been extensions to the benefits period, you may have to wait for the next annual period to reapply once you’ve exhausted these benefits.

Other questions addressed in the interview included topics on qualifying for an extension, what happens if you can’t find a job before your claim runs out, how to avoid Bank of America scams, and the steps to take if your account has been flagged for fraud. Information regarding unemployment qualifications without childcare, possible EDD pay-backs for the period accounts were suspended, and the difference in benefits between furlough and official lay-off was also shared.

This valuable information, along with an array of other answers, can also be found in two other featured interviews: Expert Answers Your Questions on Unemployment Benefits, EDD and National Employment Law Project Answers Your EDD, Unemployment Questions.

If the information you need regarding your unemployment status or claims in California cannot be found via their resources, you might want to know how to get ahold of EDD customer service. EDDcaller.com is a tool that can help you in reaching them in a smoother, more efficient manner. The website provides insights and tactics to further assist you in your quest for a resolution, making it an essential service to consider when facing difficulties with EDD.