EDD interview scheduled but filed 7 months after last work day - too late to claim?

The good news is that you CAN file for unemployment benefits after a gap - there's no strict deadline that automatically disqualifies you. However, EDD will definitely want to know what you were doing during those 7 months. During your interview, be prepared to explain: 1) Why you waited to file (using savings is valid), 2) What kind of gig work you were doing, 3) Whether you were able and available for full-time work during that period. They probably won't backdate all the way to December unless you had a good reason you couldn't file earlier, but you should still be eligible going forward from your July filing date.

ur fine i did the same thing waited like 5 months b4 i filed. they just wanna make sure u were actually laid off and not fired for misconduct. bring ur termination paperwork if u have it thats what helped me

I had a similar situation last year, though I only waited about 3 months to file. In my interview, they focused a LOT on why I waited to file and what I was doing during that gap. Be super clear about your gig work - how many hours, how much you earned, etc. They're looking to make sure you were truly unemployed/underemployed and available for full-time work. One thing that tripped me up: they asked if I turned down any work during those months. I had said no to a few gig opportunities because they paid terribly, and that almost caused problems. So be prepared for very specific questions about your work search efforts during those 7 months.

EDD is going to GRILL you about those 7 months!! My brother waited only 3 months and they denied him because he couldn't PROVE he was looking for work during that time. Make sure you have DATES and NAMES of places you applied to during those months!!! They're looking for any reason to deny claims these days!!!

I've been through multiple EDD interviews, and I can tell you it's all about preparation. Here's what you should bring to your interview: 1. Termination letter or any documentation from your previous employer 2. Records of your gig work (payment statements, app history, etc.) 3. A written timeline of the past 7 months showing what you were doing and why you waited to file 4. Bank statements showing your savings being depleted (supports your story) 5. Any job search records you might have from that period As for backdating, they likely won't automatically backdate to December. You'd need to specifically request it during the interview and have a compelling reason why you couldn't file earlier. "I was living off savings" might not be sufficient since you could have filed while using savings. By the way, if you're having trouble reaching EDD to prepare for this interview, I recently used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an EDD rep in under 20 minutes after I'd been trying for days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Might be worth it to get some pre-interview guidance directly from EDD.

dont stress too much about the interview. i had one and the lady was super nice, just asked basic questions about my work history. took like 10 mins tops. just be honest about why u waited.

Question for anyone who knows - I'm in a kinda similar situation (filed 4 months after layoff) and my interview is tomorrow. If they approve my claim, will I get benefits starting from when I filed or could they potentially backdate it? I've been certifying every two weeks since I filed even though nothing has been paid yet because of the pending interview.

Just wanted to follow up - how did your interview go? I'm curious because my cousin is in almost the exact same situation (waited about 5 months to file after being laid off).