The lady at the Alameda County branch canceled my sons survivor benefits despite him still being a…read morestudent. She and her supervisor were biased against him because he homeschooled and did not do the state testing, which by law is not required. Representative Barbara Lee and HSDLA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association) advocated for him. It took nearly a year for SS to respond and pay what is my sons benefits by law. This ignorant biased decision by these two SS reps in te Oakland office created unexpected for stress for the last year. Because we didn't plan for this huge loss in our income, we struggled and stressed. Lots of tears: Thank you to Barbara Lee and her intern Lily and HSDLA!

Horrible, rude security guards at the lower level of this office! They are too comfortable being…read morerude and yelling at people coming in. To make this location more inviting, the security guards working at the entrance need to be replaced.

TIP: Make an appointment!! They will not make any exceptions. You might be like us, walk-in, get a…read morenumber, only to be called up and hour later and be told you need an appointment to do whatever it is you need to do. The employee told us this new change went into effect last year. Appointments are at least a month out. Make. An. Appointment.

Excellent service with a complex issue Was seen promptly in…read moreSan Leandro I wish I remembered her name for recognition

It's understandable that the EDD Office will always be busy, but it's frustrating when you can…read morenever get through by phone; no matter if you call very first thing in the morning, throughout the day or towards the end of the day. You will always hear, "we reached our max number of callers." After striking out every single time, I decided to head down to the nearest office-located at Oakland. When I got there around 11am, a sign was up that they gave out the max number of tickets and no more tickets would be given to ensure they could see everyone. Okay, I probably should've gone first thing in the morning or earlier than opening because a man told me he showed up at 8am and still had not been seen. The security guard also stated try showing up around 7-730am because lines form every day. I was told show up early, the office will start numbers at 8am, but the office isn't open until 9am. I don't know about the hours information I was told, but I appreciated the helpful guidance as this is the first time really going through this whole experience. It would be nice if EDD had a better notification system they could publish so people traveling a ways away would know whether to visit or come a different day. What would also be helpful or something to consider, would be expanding telephone hours. I understand this is a State job, but the public demands are big so finding ways to maximize customer service would be nice; thinking outside the box would be good. It would/could also open up telework opportunities and provide employees with different work shifts that may be a better fit for them-which can boost job satisfaction. With that said, Oakland Office was a bust for me. However, I recalled another review I read about someone's not so good experience and how they left Oakland's Office and went to San Francisco's Office. The people in SF were very nice. You have to sign in when you first get there with security and then take the elevator up to the 3rd Floor. You get your ticket and wait. The office was slightly bigger, no need for security on that floor, the employees all had good customer service (you can hear them when they speak with people) and the average wait time was reasonable-definitely no more than an hour considering the type of service offered. My time there was less than an hour; in & out. I have to mention, I showed up there closer to 2pm and numbers were still being given out-no "we can't service anyone else today." The only downside is parking can be a challenge, but that's SF for you. Pay attention to the street signs to make sure you can park. Other than that, I believe you will have better luck and experience at the SF Office if you can't make it to the Oakland Office pretty early! Also, last tip; remember the email you used from your very first claim-even if it was 10 years ago. Any claims after that and your identity verification will be tied to that email. You will need to go into an office to change it or try your luck to get through Online Support to have it changed. However, once the change request is submitted, switching your email is an easy process, with them doing it on the back end. Once converted they will email you with a link and you may need to reset your password. I must note, I didn't get the opportunity to truly see the customer service from the Oakland Office; I'm sure it would've been fine-they're here to help. I just know it's already challenging to be on unemployment or disability, and I wish you all luck-you will need to stay committed to getting through if you need assistance. Last thought: It would be nice to get an overhaul of the EDD system, just like DMV did many years ago. Learning the needs of the many and how to streamline the system & process would be beneficial. Please note, I'm not knocking it or the Oakland Office, but just sharing my experience with you! If the Oakland location doesn't work out for you, try the SF Office.

I surprisingly find myself applying for CA Disability Insurance. The process was complicated and…read moreconfusing for me. Calling EDD is an exercise in futility. I showed up this morning without an appointment. I simple self-check in, a short wait, and I was helped by a very kind Asian woman. She took her time and researched my claim, explained to me the process, and even told me I would I had a shorter waiting period. Today is a great day!

Mostly I am just posting to combat the ridiculous commentary about this library that is dropping…read moreits rating. It is small and old school. It is what it is... and that is fine. It doesn't need to have a huge catalog. When I go there, I'm not looking for something specific. I see what finds me. I quit streaming movies a few months ago. Every time I pop in on my early evening walk they have something interesting on disc. Same with books. I've been introduced to a ton of interesting stuff by being restricted in my choice. To me, that's a good thing. If you need something specific you can head over to the main branch. And comments on it being "old and musty" -- omg, I'm not even going to comment on that. I'm grateful to have this branch in my neighborhood!

All Alameda Library branches are run like loud social clubs by staff. I have never been in a…read morelouder library in my life. It needs a separate building for the children's library, like they used to have in the brown shingle building next to the original Carnegie library. Plus, the visitors are often loud and the library staff make no effort to keep them quiet. Truly, the worst reading environment I've ever known, unlike almost all other libraries I've visited.

Alameda is so cool. Everyone I've ever met who lives here always says it's a great place to live,…read moreand everyone I've ever met who used to live here say they miss something or other about life on the island. And what an island it is. Except that it's technically three islands, or portions thereof: Alameda Island, Coast Guard Island, and Bay Farm Island. And I was lying again, because as far as I can tell, Bay Farm Island is not an island. It may have been an island at one time, but it's now more of a peninsula connected to Oakland; it also includes Oakland International Airport or whatever its dumb name is now. And the other fun fact is that the very southwestern tip of Alameda Island is technically part of San Francisco. That's right; when they were drawing up San Francisco's crazy borders, which unlike other Bay Area cities' borders often include all kinds of water nowhere near the land portion of San Francisco, they drew this diagonal line that happened to clip the corner of Alameda Island. That's why San Francisco voting returns always include zero votes for East Bay candidates--it's technically possible that someone could live on that corner and be eligible to vote in San Francisco, but it has never happened. The City of Alameda is so strange and weird and magical and wonderful and fake and real and beautiful and safe and salty and many other adjectives. There's the museum aircraft carrier USS Hornet and all these weird industrial experiments going on on the western end of the island, where the naval air station used to be. And there are all these new homes being developed close by. Then there are the lovely old homes on the island, and the coolest part might be the eastern end of the island south of the High Street Bridge, because these just feel like regular only 1950s and '60s neighborhoods, and then you happen upon Eastshore Drive, and the backyards of very normal-looking suburban houses happen to abut the bay! You already know about the tunnels and the Pacific Pinball Museum--a must visit--from my other reviews. Or you should. go read and click on them. Plus there are some great restaurants out here. And Coast Guard Island is funny; it's part of the City of Alameda, but its only connection to land is to Oakland itself. In order to get to the rest of Alameda, you either have to drive through Oakland to one of the tubes or to Bay Farm Island, or you have to get across narrow Brooklyn Basin somehow. Preferably by boat, I would say, but swimming and helicoptering would work just fine too. Oh, and those weird lagoons are perfectly strange. I didn't know what they were for, and I was annoyed that only the people who owned property near them could use them recreationally, but then I learned that they are partially used for storm drainage retention and water treatment, so those people playing in them probably shouldn't be! How perfect.

Another review that I have held off on... Am I being selfish?…read more Quality/Quantity - Alameda is an island in the Bay Area. A hidden treasure. DON'T let anyone know! One of the safest communities in the bay. 23 square miles, 12.5 square miles of which is water. 78k+ population - Although they are continuing to build aggressively on the ex-naval base. The best part of the island is that there is only XXXX amount of land so it can hopefully NOT get over crowded. Atmosphere - Beaches - Alameda Beach, Crab Cove, Crown, Encinal, etc. Water sports - Kayak, kite surfing, swimming, jet skiing, boating, etc. Harbor Bay, parks, lagoons, trails, volleyball, tennis, skate parks, dog parks, marinas, cycling, etc. Ex-navy base (1997) - Spirit Alley - Distilleries, breweries, wineries, etc. Too many to name! Annual events - Farmer's markets, fairs, festivals, parades, Blue Angels, etc. Museums, art & culture, etc. Beautiful Victorian homes. Amazing views of SF. 3 bridges and tunnels to get on and off of the island. Near Oakland, SF, Coast Guard Island, etc. Service - Ferries - To SF, Oakland, etc. One of the best ways to travel. Price - Affordable. They have inexpensive and expensive options. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 1853.

My call got through! I had called several times this past…read moreweek plus left about three phone messages. After 60 calls this day, Miss P answered! I couldn't believe it? I thought don't watch this and accidentally press the wrong button and hang up on her. So I set the phone down and pulled my hands away to make sure not to hang it up. And I was just so in all that I was talking to her. It was around the 45th call that something shifted in my mind and spirit. Instead of thinking, she'll never answer, I thought. "You will answer the phone ... my phone call will be answered." And I became matter-of-fact about it and just continued dialing, it would go to voicemail and so then I would hang up and call again, and sometimes it would go to a busy signal because too many calls were going in at the same time, so I would hang up and call again. She was so nice and helpful! I thought, dear woman probably is given so many peoples cases! After 33 minutes, we finished and confirmed my application! Yay! It's unfortunate they don't have more caseworkers. The solution : speed dial your caseworkers number, get in a comfortable position while you're working on some project of watching the latest episode of My Lunch Break on. YT and just be determined that you will get through.

if you were ever at Hayward services or any other one please stay there these people in Oakland…read moreNEVER answers they kept marking no show when I came but didn't even get up to call my name or check if I was in the lobby

Stopped in today to dropoff some old batteries for recycling and donate some books to the "Friends…read moreof the Library" used bookstore. Battery recycling is located in the same alcove as the self-service print/scan/fax station (next to the info/checkout desk). Be careful and follow instructions to wrap batteries separately/individually in plastic before dropping them off. Surprisingly the library also has a Kilowatt usage measuring device that you can checkout/rent to understand and see electricity usage for devices/home goods/etc. The cafe in the back (which carries limited snacks and drinks) has plenty of indoor and patio seating. The "Friends of the Library" self-service book sales shelf (honor system) is in the far corner of the same cafe. Their regular bookstore/donation center is next to the restrooms on your right as you enter.

Free parking and street parking Next to Park street but…read morewell insulated so you won't hear the noise from outside Next to the APD as well, can't feel any safer Well lit, high ceiling, clean flat flooring and some sections are carpeted, outdoor seating and a cafe inside Restrooms are clean, private rooms for meetings and studying Can't say anything bad, been coming here for years

I only took a star off because of the timing situation. My friends appointment was at 2:45 and I…read moreaccompanied her, we didn't get seen till almost 3:30. They are short staffed so it's not their fault, but it's still frustrating lol but overall the appointment went smooth and Ms. Space was a delight! I'm so happy she was the one assisting us today, her attitude and humor made it the best experience. Much love and shout out to Ms. Space!

We were asked to go there to verify identity. Not sure why in 21st century we need to go there in…read moreperson, particularly when they have reduced staff and closed offices. They told us that appointment cancels 15 minutes after the scheduled time, but they did not tell us that the security at entrance to the building is time consuming. With only one person in front of us in the line, it took us 20 minutes to get processed. So, our appointment was cancelled. They said the security at the door is not IRS, and the security said it is not their problem. This is totally unacceptable and shows their incompetence. Then, they told us when we come back, if the appointment is for 10:00 a.m., expect to be there till 4:00 p.m. "The best country in the world" is like a third work county now.

I have rarely called the 911 emergency line. The one time I really needed paramedics was when my…read moreMom was having chest pain, and needed transport to Kaiser Hospital. But this morning, something was wrong with my landline phoneline. My phone was making weird clicking sounds instead of ringing. I tried to test my health monitor system, and it didn't respond. While I was on hold with the phone company, Alameda 911 interrupted the call to find out if I was ok. They told me my health monitor was working fine, and when I didn't respond to the system alert, local 911 was called. I hope they don't have to call me again, but it's good to know the 911 system works.

We called 911 when we arrived home from vacation to discover a strange, noxious odor in our home…read more APD arrived quickly, examined me (as I was short of breath), checked out the house, found the issue (our landlady had a few bags of compost delivered while we were away), made sure we were cool (after they helped us move the bags to a better location), and went on their way. They were pretty awesome. Hard to believe that folks would give fire fighters a bad review.

California Historical Landmark #440…read more In the City of Alameda, there is a plaque which commemorates when the first Transcontinental Railroad train passed by and arrived to it's West Coast terminal. It's located between two public benches, at the corner of Webster St and Lincoln Ave (near the Shell Gas Station). In the 1860's, the Transcontinental Railroad was considered a Mega Engineering Feat. It reduced the cost and time for a traveler to go from coast to coast. It allowed for the transport of raw materials and freight, which fed American industrialization. But it also had negative effects, such as- damage to the environment, harsh working conditions, and destruction of Native American lands. Nearly all of the rail was built by hand. Today, trains no longer run thru Alameda. But on the corner of Webster St x Lincoln Ave, you can still see the plaque that remembers the day a very special train arrived at it's San Francisco Bay stop. Welcome to Alameda, The Island City.

This is a very important historical location, but the plaque is tough to see in the photo. This is…read morevery close to the endpoint of the first Transcontinental Railroad. There are some bus benches very close by and also tons of shops on this busy location. So not really a ton of things to see at this corner, but it's worth checking out the plaque.