A San Francisco software engineer says he can connect any caller to a human operator at the state Employment Development Department in minutes.

The state Employment Development Department is so overwhelmed by people wanting to file for unemployment that the computerized phone line is hanging up on callers. When you call EDD’s toll fr… ...

Several workers, including Martinez, described days or weeks of attempting to reach the EDD at the two primary phone numbers widely publicized by the EDD: 866-333-4606 and 833-978-2511.

There are many videos from fellow claimants that provide tips and tricks on a range of topics, including how to resolve pending payments and phone tricks to reach a live EDD representative.

Need to talk someone at EDD? The phone should be your last resort.

Then two weeks ago, his benefit payments just stopped with no explanation. Warren was unable to contact EDD online or over the telephone to find out why.

EDD spokeswoman Loree Levy said the agency is now trying to hire 1,500 people, and redirected another 1,300 to help with claims.

Finally, Levy advised customers to e-mail the EDD on the Contact EDD feature on the website. The department will get back to customers within three days, she said.

Agency phone records show that over the three-month period from Oct. 6 to Jan. 4, the EDD received an average of 3.9 million calls a week. From 83% to 90% of those calls went unanswered on any ...