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!

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.

Friendly workers I was in and out in less than an hour there's free parking everywhereread more

I had an appointment, my service person was astute and very comfortable to work with. It was easy…read moreto find and a comfortable waiting room. I was seen within 7 minutes. Out on 30, what's not to like!

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.

This is regarding the child abuse hotline. You guys really need to figure out how to answer a call…read morebecause this is the third time I've been waiting for over an hour and a half. The first time that I called today, one of your screener picked up and hung up. As of this moment, I have been on hold for over 1.5 hours trying to make a report. Pick up your calls! SMH.

Had a great experience here. I live in Napa and had to drive an hour away to get my SDI paperwork…read moreto fill it due to me having a Nevada license. Just an FYI, if you work in California and have another state license, you will have to pick your paperwork up from your nearest office. I got there actually late. Around 11:15 am and was out by 11:45am. Very quick service. Another fyi if you come and there are no seats available you still sign up and grab your number, but you'll have to wait downstairs in the lobby until wow the your number is called or there are seats available for you to sit upstairs. You'll have to keep on using the elevator to check periodically

I work for CPA office next door. This place is a mess and people are treated badly. The applicants…read moresit on the floor or crowd our door so that we can't get in. The rest rooms are a disaster. There is not enough disabled parking so disabled tenants who work in the building often have no place to park. Sometimes the office closes early because they are so overwhelmed by applicants. This office needs to be moved to its own building. It is interfering with the small businesses in the building.

Got there @9:30 & were already 15th in line. The lady at the front was very nice & gave clear…read moreinstructions. Office opens 10am but they let us in @9:50. We were done by 10:15. System was very efficient & everyone were courteous & helpful. The best gov run operation ever

Today 6/30 I went with my mom to get some finger prints and photos taken and the African American…read morelady didn't let me in . Mind you I went to be my mom's translator she said step aside only one person can go in and turns out my mom went inside there and she did need a translator she was lying . I even asked the lady before she went inside there if there was a translator and she said yes. Such a lier and had an attitude. If you don't like your job don't work in places like this . SMH

The building department is a joke. You submit plans to get them reviewed and they pass them through…read morewith no mark ups. You build per the APPROVED PLANS and you get told no you can't do that. Then you have to pay to get the work done twice. Then they tell you that you need to have PSL permit pulled... basically so they get more money from you for nothing... throughout the entire project, the inspection team doesn't agree/communicate with building and plan review. Such a joke. Even if you get plans reviewed and stamped with your permit, you need to review code and regulations independently because they don't do any of it in review and the inspectors will make you change your completed work.

The second floor has a real attitude problem. The staff here are snarky, rude, and unprofessional…read more I agree with other reviewers when they say they are unfair and incredible unhelpful. For a government building, you are met with ample unprofessionalism. In all fairness, the third floor was pleasant and helpful, but the second floor needs an attitude adjustment. They were pretty condescending when asked a pretty reasonable question about where the payment window was. Not necessary at all.

It would be nice to have a female security guard. I didn't like that I have to have a male guard…read morescan me from the back. Why can't I face him?

REVIEWER # 1 I have…read moreto admit that the building itself deserves over 5 stars! OMG! Have you been here before? Like literally the outside and inside? My first time was when I had a meeting with an organization that is inside and I was stunned to see how beautiful it is! This building is over 10 years old and still looks like a brand new spanking building! This is such a beautiful architecture building in downtown Oakland! Very accessible to BART getting on and off at the 12 Street Station. This building is well secured by Security so please be prepared to put all your belongings through a scanner. If you seem to beep for any reason (unfortunately I wear tons of jewelry and I always beep when I go through the metal detectors) so you will be scanned with a handheld detector and asked to turn around and left your arms up. Yes, they are Very secured. There are bathrooms on the first floor on your right hand side once you enter. On the 2nd floor there is a small Cafeteria and they also serve Peet's Coffee that is the café. There are signs to help direct you to where you are going but once you walk in , it does seem like a maze. There are escalators and elevators to help you get from one floor to another. In this building you would find: Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), Department of Real Estate and many other state related organizations and depts. There is garage parking across the street that is open for anyone. It's definitely not the cheapest so I would definitely encourage you to take public transportation. REVIEW 142/196