The article focuses on an increase in long-term unemployment in the US, with over a quarter of jobless workers being unemployed for at least half a year. Data indicates a post-pandemic high in such cases, often seen during turbulent economic periods. In August, over 1.9 million people in the US had been jobless for 27 weeks or more, almost double the number from early 2023. Economists suggest that six months of unemployment often marks a turning point in a person’s job search, as they may deplete unemployment insurance benefits and severance payments, leading to financial instability. These individuals may also become disheartened and cease looking for employment entirely.

In such challenging times, those facing unemployment may need support from sources like the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the state’s employment and labor force agency. However, reaching EDD might seem daunting due to high call volumes or complex automated phone responses. Websites like eddcaller.com can be instrumental in offering useful tips and techniques to get in contact with EDD and resolve your unemployment claims effectively. The site provides information such as EDD’s customer service timings, the best times to call, and ways to get through to a live agent, making it a valuable resource in these times.