EDD eligibility interview no-show - they didn't call during scheduled window
I'm totally stressed right now. EDD scheduled my eligibility interview for today between 3:00-5:00 PM, but nobody called! I waited by my phone the entire time, made sure it was charged, had good reception, and even turned off my spam blocker just in case. It's now 5:30 and still nothing. This is my first time filing for unemployment after getting laid off from my marketing job last month, and I really need these benefits to start coming through soon. My rent is due next week and I'm down to my last $300. Has anyone else had EDD miss their scheduled interview window? What should I do now? Do I have to reschedule and wait another 3 weeks?
20 comments
Yuki Yamamoto
This happened to me in January! Super frustrating when you block out 2 hours of your day and then... nothing. Call them first thing tomorrow morning. It might just be that they're running behind schedule - my interviewer ended up calling me the next day without any notification. If they don't call by tomorrow afternoon, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD rep faster. I wasted 3 days trying to call on my own before using their service. They helped me get through to an agent who scheduled a new interview for the following week. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km
0 coins
Ethan Brown
•Thank you! I'll try calling tomorrow morning, but I'm not hopeful about getting through 😞 I've heard horror stories about the wait times. I might check out that Claimyr thing if I can't get through. Did you have to wait another full 3 weeks for your rescheduled interview?
0 coins
Carmen Ruiz
dont worry about it they always running behind lol. they called me like 2 days after my window. still got my benefits without any problems
0 coins
Ethan Brown
•That's a relief to hear! Did you do anything special while waiting? Like try to call them or submit anything through UI Online?
0 coins
Andre Lefebvre
When an EDD eligibility interview doesn't occur during the scheduled window, it's typically due to one of three things: 1) The interviewer is running behind schedule, 2) There was a technical issue on their end, or 3) There was a data entry error with your phone number. Here's what you should do: 1. Check your UI Online account for any messages or updates 2. Wait one more business day to see if they call (they often run behind) 3. Call the EDD customer service line at 1-800-300-5616 if you don't hear from them by tomorrow afternoon 4. Be sure to keep certifying for benefits while waiting for the interview resolution EDD is required to make a determination on your claim even if they miss the interview. Sometimes they'll approve your benefits without the interview if they have enough information already. Keep an eye on your claim status in UI Online.
0 coins
Zoe Dimitriou
•I think you're mixing up certerfication and eligibility. They don't approve you without the eligability interveiw because thats how they determine if your ELIGABLE for the benefits in the first place!!!! The interview is REQUIRED before any payments. I had this happen and had to wait 5 weeks for another interview slot!!!! The system is a joke.
0 coins
QuantumQuest
I've navigated this exact situation helping numerous clients with their EDD claims. Here's exactly what you need to do: 1. First, check your spam/junk folder for any emails from EDD. They sometimes send a notification if interviews are rescheduled. 2. Log into UI Online and check your inbox there - sometimes they'll send a message explaining the delay. 3. If nothing by tomorrow morning, you MUST call EDD at 1-800-300-5616. The best time to call is right when they open at 8:00 AM. 4. When you reach a representative, explain that you had a scheduled eligibility interview that was missed by EDD. Ask them to check the notes on your account and see if there's a reschedule date or if they can transfer you to an interviewer. 5. Very important: request that they make a note on your account that YOU were available during the scheduled window but EDD did not call. This protects you from being marked as "unavailable" for your interview. Don't stress too much - this is unfortunately common, especially at quarter's end when their workload increases. In most cases, you'll get a call within 48 hours of the original window.
0 coins
Ethan Brown
•Thank you for such a detailed response! I checked UI Online and there's nothing new there. I'll definitely try calling first thing tomorrow morning. Do you think this will delay my payments even though it wasn't my fault they didn't call?
0 coins
Jamal Anderson
my interview was 35 mins late last month but they did finally call. check ur phone settings maybe? or did u give them the wrong # by accident?
0 coins
Ethan Brown
•I triple-checked the number in my account and it's definitely correct. I even received their text confirmation about the interview yesterday. My phone was working fine all day - I made and received other calls during that time window. Just nothing from EDD 😕
0 coins
Mei Zhang
THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO ME!!!! I waited for 2 HOURS and nobody called!!! I tried calling them back and got the "we're experiencing high call volume" message for THREE DAYS STRAIGHT!!!! This system is BROKEN and they don't care about us at all!!!! I finally got through after literally 26 attempts and they said "oops our interviewer was out sick" - like they couldn't bother to let me know???? I had to take time off work to wait for that call!!! They rescheduled me but I had to wait another 2.5 weeks!!! Criminal!!!!
0 coins
Ethan Brown
•Oh no, that's exactly what I'm afraid of! I can't wait another 2-3 weeks for this interview. Did they backdate your payments once you finally had the interview?
0 coins
Yuki Yamamoto
Update on my earlier comment - when this happened to me in January, I didn't get a call the next day either. That's when I used Claimyr to get through to EDD. The rep explained that they had staffing shortages and were prioritizing interviews based on claim filing dates. They ended up waiving my interview entirely and just processed my claim based on the documentation I'd already submitted. So there's hope they might do the same for you!
0 coins
Mei Zhang
•They NEVER waived my interview!!! Why do some people get special treatment while others have to jump through every hoop??? The whole system is arbitrary and unfair!!!
0 coins
Jamal Anderson
did u try checking ur account online? sometimes they update there first
0 coins
Ethan Brown
•Yes, I checked my UI Online account right away and there's nothing new there. No messages, no status changes, nothing indicating why they didn't call or what I should do next.
0 coins
QuantumQuest
Quick update based on my experience this month - EDD is currently experiencing significant backlogs with eligibility interviews. Several of my clients have had interviews delayed by 1-2 days without notification. The good news is that most are still getting their benefits approved without extended delays once the interview actually happens. One important tip: if you do call tomorrow, specifically ask the representative if they can see the "interview disposition" in your file. If it says "pending reschedule" then you need to push for a specific date. If it says "pending review" then the interviewer may be making a determination without needing to speak with you further.
0 coins
Ethan Brown
•Thank you for this update! That's really helpful info. I'll definitely ask about the "interview disposition" when I call. Fingers crossed it's "pending review" and they can just approve it without another interview!
0 coins
Carmen Ruiz
btw make sure u keep certifying even while waiting for interview!! i almost messed up by not doing that
0 coins
Ethan Brown
•Oh, good point! My first certification is coming up this Sunday. I'll definitely make sure to do that regardless of what happens with the interview situation.
0 coins