It's understandable that the EDD Office will always be busy, but it's frustrating when you can never 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. read more

I surprisingly find myself applying for CA Disability Insurance. The process was complicated and confusing 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! read more

Super nice employees, super helpful, plenty of parking. They have a fax machine, and a veteran employment center to assist veterans with finding employment or theirs magazines that shows colleges and trade school that you can use your post 9/11 or GI bill on. Clean place, has plenty of computers to use to help look for jobs. read more

Waited a bit which i totally understand but the girl at the counter was amazing, fast and efficient!

If I could give ZERO STARS I would. Came for PAID FAMILY LEAVE, security lady looked at me when I smiled at her and asked if I had an appointment. Before I could finish saying 'no' she had waived me off to a kiosk. I selected No Appointment and it gave me an option to select PFL. It spat out a ticket and before I could turn around, security lady was already pushing us out the door to the second waiting room. There were seats available in the first area but she insisted they were reserved. My partner has mobility issues but we figured like any similar agency, it would be a wait so we went down the hall to the other waiting room. The security guard here was sitting on a rolling office chair and gave zero F^(K$. The lady inside was very timid and asked if we had a ticket and told us to choose seats. Shortly after she told us that the security lady in the first room asked us to come back up since there were now seats available. We were pretty ecstatic to have moved up on a decent amount of time until we actually got there. She only wanted the "claimant" to sit and wait since the numbers moved and there was seating availability. I mentioned my partners mobility issues and that I would be ok to stand as long as he could sit and not have to walk all the way back to the other waiting room and she REFUSED. My partner and I walked back to the second waiting room which has the screens showing which numbers were to be called up and told the lady back there that we would stay because all the back and forth was already too much. The security lady actually followed us into the second waiting room to physically see for herself that we were sitting there. A family with a newborn baby was asked to do the same. The security lady wanted her to leave the baby with the dad in the back waiting room and for her to go to the main one without her baby!!! Eventually, she allows the mom and baby to stay together and I get called to the main waiting room. The security lady then insists I sit down and tells the mom to move the stroller and let me sit. I REFUSE to put this new mom and baby through a tight squeeze just to be "seated" and the new mom felt bad and got up and moved anyway so I could go sit. As soon as I sit another mom and stroller come and by the time I am called, I nearly knock over one of the strollers because there was literally no space. The 3 windows are all next to each other and there is no privacy walls between you and the next claimant. The techs look annoyed that you cant hear them and they yell into the microphones because we are all literally butted up next to each other. After 1 hour and a half of shenanigans I AM TOLD THEY DO NOT HANDLE PAID FAMILY LEAVE... AT ALL!!! and that she could not assist me. Go to San Francisco if you are doing PFL, actually just go because they are worth the crappy parking. There were ZERO LINES, they were all SUPER NICE AND FRIENDLY, they call you to the window before your ticket prints and if you missed the paper forms at the front, they don't make you feel like an idiot and graciously tell you not to worry about it and give you the form. read more

Employment Development Department - Oakland has a ridiculous wait staff and terrible service. San Francisco processes PAID FAMILY LEAVE, FAST SERVICE - Public Services & Government Near Me - Oakland, California

I have not yet to go to this building I'm debating on going there because the 800 number the automated system can never understand what's going on there always having technical difficulties they can't understand they only give you three options and those three options are not what I'm looking for and soon as you press the button to speak to a representative they've already reached the maximum amount of calls it's horrible because even after you turn in a claim form it takes up to 14 days some weeks there on time other weeks they're not on time and your questions never get answered because you can't get anybody on the phone so reading everyone's response I'm in limbo about going to the office the unemployment department and the government suck big time and I don't understand what the issue is when the purpose for this is for you because you worked and at this time you are in a situation where you need your money and they hold on to it like it's theirs I hate that my foot is injured and if I could give zero Stars I would to the whole unemployment system I've been trying over a week to get someone on the phone starting directly at 8:00 in the morning the new updated system is not an improvement it's worse than it was in the first place if I can help it I would never use this system again and I hate that I have to pay into disability because it's a struggle to get my own money when I need it my bills are late my rent's late because I can't get in touch with anybody and I get no answer so I'm just like a Sitting Duck this system is awful it's definitely not helpful it gives you more stress while you're already in a situation that stressful enough read more

Long wait , had to go to another EDD office for help with PFL. However the lady I dealt with was nice

Expect to wait for 3+ hours. Came in at 8:30am and did not leave until 12:15pm. 1. When you arrive, make your way up the elevator to the 3rd floor. Once you get to the EDD office, you will likely need to go to waiting room 2 for a number. Ask for the wait time so that you can decide to go do something else for hours or just wait. 2. Office hours are M-F 8-5pm. 3. Make note of your questions because the wait is so long. Once I was able to meet with someone, I just wanted it to be over with and should have written down my questions. read more

Employment Development Department - Public Services & Government Near Me - Oakland, California

Not the same skin complexion as the security in that building i am already judged, people were given a spot too stand away from the seats and i was told too wait outside when i was there in support of my wife, also friendly with others but straight up rude too me and my wife after waiting more than 2 hours. Also security said she would skip my wifes number too help somebody with the same complexion as her, and my wife said what about me, her response "well she said something not you". read more

If I could give negative or no stars I would. EDD SUCKS!! You can never get through to a person, if you're able to leave a message they never call back, if you inquire online from the claim update section you never hear anything back, if you haven't been paid there is no one to talk to about it. Then they have all these offices around but when you call them and get through they direct you back to the 1-800 number of no f'ing help. I've been calling every day for 4 weeks bc I haven't been paid in 6 weeks. Nothing. No damn help. No payment updates. No nothing. I hate EDD... read more

Small stuffy office with no waiting area. You have to sign in and get a ticket but they kick you out to wait in your car as there are only 8 individual chairs in the waiting area. If the chairs are full, you cannot stand. They tell you to come back but they don't know when. How inefficient! I went up and down twice, waited in the bathroom. The friendly hallway security guard made it clear that there is a policy against waiting in the hallways as well as signs. They need a better system like a text call back when you are in the top 7 so that those chairs are only taken up by people next in line. The room security guard can easily facilitate this. She just sits there playing on her phone and from time to time, she tells people they can't stand in the room, they have to wait downstairs - waste of wages. Two workers to help this many people waiting is also totally unreasonable. I tried to do this via phone but the first phone call told me they don't deal with ID Me (I had a claimant authentication issue.). However, two days later, I called back again and a very nice gentleman found the root cause of my issue which led me to this god forsaken office. read more

I have jumped through hoops for the last two months trying to get my disability insurance set. I've given them everything that the hospital has given me. I've had the hospital fill out what forms they wanted and I still cannot get paid. Just got a letter today after a month saying that my paperwork wasn't done Properly and that the receipt number wasn't given to the hospital which I've done twice. I've sent them everything that the hospital has sent me to fill out their forms because the hospital no longer does in person assistance just virtual and mail. But that ain't good enough for EDD. They don't give you a direct line for help. They don't explain questions or answers satisfactory. I've worked for the state for 27 years and now that I'm out on disability I can't get anything and they don't care about anything but the money that is not even theirs. read more

These Representative 's go out their way for you! Lord knows it's hard to go on the phone to talk to someone on the 800# we came in the edd office in Oakland, Sandra, Renee, and Amsua, treated us like we were family! They guided us in every step. And we were able to talk straight to the representative' s on the phone. I recommend you go straight to your local office, if you can't talk directly to the main #'s because it can take days, weeks before you be able to talk to someone on the phone. It could be a challenge, for real. Especially if your applying for PFL( paid family leave) . Google the address, there is a parking lot. There isn't a sign posting edd, only when you get close. Pay attention to your GPS. When taking the elevator to I believe the 3rd floor. It is a disability office, there too, you will take a # but there is a security officer there who is very helpful, if not sure were the edd Office is, ask her. Best choice, go to edd Office. If you need to speak directly to a representative on the phone about PFL, or edd this office will help you. read more

This State Government office is a joke! The employees are rude & nonchalant to the needs of persons that are disabled. They are not accurate in their records & they don't research issues that concern an applicant not receiving their disability money. payment. errors etc. Everything incorrect is blamed on the applicant to run around while recovering from an illness or surgery to clear up missing information or documents. We just want to get well and get back to work. They are lazy employees that are not professional & Don't answer the phones @ all! The automated service hangs up on you. They act as though we didn't work & pay in to our Disability! It needs to be a reform & change in All EDD offices!! The communication between the Hospital, Job & EDD needs to be a smoother transition! read more

They do as little as possible yet put you through the ringer in order to get what you are owed. If you've ever had to deal with EDD or SDD then you know. read more

No help. Website is always going down and no one ever answers the phone. It's to the point where you must visit them and I'm 1 hr away. Very frustrating read more

The customer service is horrible after waiting for 90mins for the lady to sit there and tell me I might get paid next week or so???

I cannot get any help about my Family Leave claim. I need to talk to someone to find my status. There is no help Every number gives me the same message and phone gets disconnected. I applied on line and mailed the sighned form certified. But got no response on my account on line and on mail. Horrible service. Cannot even send an email. The website does not give me the option. EDD should provide an human contact number. read more

I personally haven't had any problems with the workers here. From my experience, they've all been very helpful and pointed me in the right direction. However, I have come in a couple times to people arguing with the workers and it became a very stressful wait time lol This particular complaint goes out to the EDD/SDI website AND customer service phone #. I couldn't register or file online because my name is too long so I had to drive out 20 minutes to this location to file. The freaking customer service # NEVER transfers to an operator so if you have one SIMPLE question you have to drive out to an office to get it answered. The whole process has been super inconvenient. read more

Jari Pearson in your Oakland Office should be terminated from his position immediately. Jair is the most unprofessional, ill-knowledge person I've ever dealt with at EDD. His lack of general business transactions and contracts make this person extremely dangerous behind a desk. He has personally made incorrect decisions without the appropriate approvals, proof and standard processes. Jari ignores all hard evidence and stands behind that of no evidence. He continually try's to manipulate the situation, allocate fear, threatens and only hears what he wants. This is the absolute worst employee I have ever delt with at your facility, please remove this person from your staff. Jair has caused an incredible amount of financial disruption and his severe lack of knowledge is now the fore front of the problem. Legal action has been taken to recover my losses. read more

This was the saddest excuse for any type of service. Another man, including myself, were waiting to speak to someone to get info for taxes and etc. The security guard proceededs to ignore us, and speak to us through a closed door. And to top it all off, they basically say we can't do anything you have to go somewhere else. Keep in mind, there is only 1 EDD office within 500 miles of Oakland. This NEEDS to stop. I wish to see much, much more competence in service ESPECIALLY with a government related business. Very, very very disappointed and dissatisfied. read more

I have been impressed with EDD overall. The staff is very helpful with all my questions. At first, I felt anxiety with all of the papers I had to fill out. The educators are a wealth of information about being unemployed and how to get a job. Lots of encouragement about writing a good resume. They even had people attend the education sessions who had jobs available. Certifying on line is easy to understand and do. Lots of computers to update your resume. Plus they have arrangements to have job opportunities sent to your email. So, I appreciated all that this office does for the unemployed. Thank you. read more

Your over the phone claims department needs an attitude adjustment!!! How do you expect people to call when they work 8-5 M-F and that just happens to be YOUR OFFICE hours to call in. I have been on hold for WELL OVER AN HOUR! You guys are a joke. read more

almost bait and switch. system has no explanatory language for first time unemployed person. i was laid off due to company closing. i got a new job but wasn't working out. In "certification," it asks if i had any temp work or made any money. i was honest and said i did for one week. EDD's system should have stopped and "red flag" the individual right away stating that "hey you can't apply anymore". so bullshit asking for 30% penalty. as a public agency, inadequate system, inadequate employees, inadequate common sense. only trying to get money from honest workers with stupid 30% penalty. exists to literally steal money. read more

I had some issues with my UI claim. I was given a phone number to call, but I couldn't get through for 3-4 days. I tried calling at all different hours of the day and no luck, so I decided to come down to this office. The people I spoke with were helpful and polite. After about a fifteen minute wait, I was on the phone, done and outta there in about ten minutes. Total time, roughly half an hour. No problem. read more

CLOSED!!!! This office moved as far away from central Oakland as they could and is now located by the Coliseum near the Oracle arena at 7677 Oakport Street Oakland. Don't bother calling. They won't answer. I don't want anyone else to make the same mistake by following this outdated listing. Yelp: please correct this out dated address. Thank you. read more

10/22/2013 L. Chou To whom it may concerned, This morning I called the EDD at Oakland call center with my UI claim problems,and Dexter answered my phone call. He was very patient with all my questions and told me the mistakes that I made with the UI claim. He also promised to sent a new claim for me. I appreciate his help and wanted say Thank you! read more

If you live near Downtown Oakland and need to speak to someone at your local unemployment insurance office, how do you do that? Contacting anyone by phone seems impossible, even to answer the most simple question. I still have yet to understand which services are located where, but I can say that the people at the One-Stop Career Center at 1212 Broadway were able to answer my question about my paperwork. Don't waste your phone minutes trying to reach anyone by phone. read more

Had the need to visit with them today. I signed in, waited for about 10-15 minutes, and I was being taken care of. The woman was well informed, and gave me what I needed . She was pleasant, and patient. The offices are not the nicest, but the people were helpful and efficient. Parking can be a bit tough, but what else is new for any downtown area? Thanks EDD. read more

The telephone number was changed 510-622-4333. The new number is 510-564-0500. After all these budget cuts its hard to get any assistance on phone. You might as well go down to the office unless you want to spend time trying to get a hold of someone. Last year Thursday was their day off. Now I'm not sure. The main office also hard to connect because they only take calls from 8a-12p is also unbelievable. If your lucky, fast pushing those keys, and remember the prompts you could be on in as little as 20 minutes read more