California Unemployment Phone Number
To reach California's unemployment office by phone, call 1-800-300-5616. The agency is Employment Development Department (EDD).
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, Monday to Friday, except California state holidays
Call 1-800-300-5616Jobareer is not the state. This is the agency's number, from its own website.
Every line, and what it is for
Speak to someone, in English or Spanish: applying for benefits, payments, UI Online and password help
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, Monday to Friday, except California state holidays
Self-service line: your last payment, certifying by phone (Tele-Cert), how to file or reopen a claim, a copy of your 1099G
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Good to know
The EDD says Monday and Tuesday mornings before 10 a.m. are its busiest call times. Its page also lists lines in other languages and for deaf and hard of hearing callers.
More about unemployment in California
California unemployment: how to file, claiming each week, how much it pays and the weekly job search.
Where this comes from
We read these numbers on October 13, 2026, on a page of the agency's own website. Agencies change their lines and hours, so if a number here does not work, check that page. Jobareer is not part of any state agency and cannot see or change your claim.
If your state asks you to look for work each week
If your state asks you to apply for jobs every week and to keep a record of it, our free job application tracker keeps that list: where you applied, when, and what came of it.
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