With the rise of unemployment in the state, the Bay Area and California have shown resilient growth, adding thousands of jobs in July after experiencing losses in the previous month, according to a report from the state Employment Development Department (EDD). Bay Area employers added a total of 2,800 jobs during July, in contrast to the 1,700 jobs that were lost in June. On a larger scale, California employers collectively added 15,000 jobs.

However, this optimistic data doesn’t suggest the end of the state’s labor market worries. Scott Anderson, the Chief Economist with BMO Capital Markets suggested caution moving forward. One month of data doesn’t mean we’ve necessarily flipped into growth mode, he warned. The jobless rate saw a slight increase in July, up 0.1% from June, marking the highest figure since December 2024.

The Bay Area’s strong job performance was mainly driven by all three of its major urban centers, which experienced substantial gains. Furthermore, there was a significant rise in the number of jobs in the health care industry in the region.

In the face of the positive report, the Bay Area, as well as the broader state of California, must work towards addressing long-standing issues such as housing shortages and reliable job growth in key industries like technology.

For people relying on unemployment benefits, it may be necessary to get ahold of EDD customer service for inquiries and assistance. For example, individuals may need details on their EDD payment status or a switch from checks to debit cards. To contact the EDD, individuals can visit ’eddcaller.com’ which provides detailed instructions and information on how to reach a live person at the California Unemployment Department. It is crucial to have the right information and guidance during these uncertain times, and a direct line of communication with EDD is key for many individuals navigating unemployment in California.