It's difficult to say this as someone who generally believes in govt’s ability to help, but @CA_EDD is failing CA.

I have done just about everything I know how to do as a public official to make things work, but my colleagues, my staff, my constituents & I are at our wits' end.

Since COVID-19 started, my staff & I have:

-Given EDD extensive feedback
-Sent the Director suggestions on how to improve systemic issues
-Addressed this in a public hearing
-Admonished EDD on TV
-Met w/ contractor @Deloitte to see why call center staff can't answer basics ?s

Legislative offices can typically help constituents interact w/ state agencies, including EDD.

We regularly reach out to EDD to help expedite constituent cases, but what many don't understand is we are now dealing w/ the same delays as the public.

A response now takes 4 weeks!

Our offices are now being told that we can expedite only 1(!) constituent case per week to EDD leg affairs team.

I have hundreds of constituents who haven't had income since March.

How do we decide which one is the neediest? Which one deserves to eat? Which one can pay rent?

Since we can't seem to use the appropriate channels to resolve these issues, I am taking to Twitter with the #EDDFailoftheDay.

@CA_EDD & @Deloitte, can you please help us resolve this case for our constituent who applied for UI on March 22?

Details below:

March 22--Applied for unemployment

Mid-April--Received request to verify ID & sent in verification docs

April 27--ID verification still had not been processed so the constituent reached out to our office. We opened a case with EDD.

May 15--EDD leg affairs team asks the documents be faxed for fast processing. The constituent does so.

June 11--Constituent lets us know the ID *still* has not been verified, but we have to tell the constituent it will be another 4 weeks before we hear back from EDD leg affairs.

Meanwhile our constituent has depleted all of their savings & gone into severe debt just to stay above water.

@CA_EDD can you help us get this constituent the benefits they are entitled to?

I brought up the topic of the antiquated ID verification system with @CA_EDD Director Hilliard.

In 2020, people should be able to upload ID documents online & be notified immediately if there is an issue.

If I can pay my taxes online, this shouldn't be that hard to do.

I have been told the ability to upload ID documents will be implemented by the end of the summer.

Trouble is, that doesn't help my constituent who hasn't had income for over 3 months.