And now an EDD call center employee who wishes to remain anonymous tells us calls like these started pouring in to the EDD hotline last week.

The EDD's first strategy is to "add operations and governance," noting it has begun hiring 900 new staff members to work in EDD's overwhelmed call centers.

Although a mass shooting at an EDD office in 1993 contributed to the closures, EDD officials say it was a push to focus on call centers and increase efficiency.

As a result of lawmakers' calls for action, EDD has said it would give priority to those who have been waiting for benefits the longest.

Workers say California EDD failed to notify them that their eligibility was denied and threatened to seize assets if they didn’t repay benefits.