EDD late filing question - will I lose benefits if I don't apply immediately after job loss?

Don't panic! There's no requirement to file your unemployment claim on the exact first day you become unemployed. You can file your claim at any time, but benefits are only payable from the week you file. EDD won't automatically backdate your claim to your last day of work. That said, you can request to backdate your claim if you had a good reason for not filing sooner. Your family emergency might qualify as good cause. When you file, there should be a section where you can request backdating and explain why you couldn't file earlier. I'd recommend applying ASAP though - every week you wait is potentially a week of benefits you might not receive.

ur fine!! i waited like 2 weeks after getting fired b4 i did mine lol. just do it asap, better late than never

The official EDD policy is that benefits begin from the Sunday of the week you file your claim, not from your last day of work. So technically you are losing potential benefits for each week you delay filing. However, you can request to have your claim backdated if you had "good cause" for not filing sooner. A family emergency could qualify as good cause. When you complete your application, there will be a question asking if you want to backdate your claim - select "Yes" and provide your explanation. The key thing to understand is that backdating isn't automatic - EDD has to approve your reason. Some valid reasons include: - Website technical issues that prevented filing - Serious illness or family emergency - Misinformation from an employer about eligibility - Natural disasters I'd recommend applying today and requesting backdating. Worst case, they deny the backdating request but you'll still get benefits from this week forward.

When I lost my job I waited almost 3 weeks to file cause I thought I'd find something else quick. Big mistake! EDD only paid me from when I finally applied, not when I actually became unemployed. Don't be like me - file right away!!

Everyone here is giving different info but let me tell you what ACTUALLY happened with me last month. I filed 9 days after my last day because I was confused about the process. I called EDD and asked about backdating and they said yes, but I had to specifically REQUEST it by phone - it wasn't automatic. Trying to get through to EDD was absolute torture though - called 28 times in one day and kept getting the "we're receiving too many calls" message. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with an EDD rep without the constant redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Once I got through to a rep, they backdated my claim to my actual last day of work since I had a reasonable explanation for the delay. So yes, you can get backdated but you need to specifically request it - file ASAP and then call to request backdating.

Just to add to my earlier comment - when you file your claim and request backdating, make sure you have some documentation of your family emergency if possible. This could be medical records, travel receipts, or anything that supports your explanation. EDD doesn't always require documentation, but having it ready can speed up the process if they do ask for it. Also, be aware that there's a difference between: 1. Filing a new claim (what you're doing now) 2. Certifying for benefits (what you'll do every two weeks after your claim is approved) Make sure you understand both processes so you don't miss any deadlines going forward!

Update: I just submitted my application and requested backdating to last Thursday. I explained about the family emergency in the comment section. Now I'm just waiting for them to process everything. Thanks everyone for your help! I'll update when I hear back about whether they approved the backdating or not.

Someone needs to explain why EDD makes this so COMPLICATED! In any NORMAL system, benefits would start from when you lost your job, not when some computer processes your application! This system is RIGGED to reduce payouts by confusing people about filing deadlines!!!

Hey Sean! Glad to see you got your application submitted! Just wanted to add some perspective as someone who's been through this process recently. The backdating approval can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks to show up in your account, so don't panic if you don't see it immediately. In my case, I had to call twice to follow up on my backdating request - the first rep told me it was "under review" and the second one actually processed it while I was on the phone. One thing that helped me was keeping detailed notes about my family emergency (dates, what happened, etc.) in case they called for more information. They didn't end up asking for documentation, but being prepared made me feel more confident. Also, make sure you continue certifying for benefits every two weeks even while the backdating is pending - you don't want to miss any current weeks while waiting for the past week to be resolved. Hope everything works out for you! The waiting is stressful but most legitimate backdating requests do get approved eventually.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a similar situation last year! I was laid off on a Friday and didn't file until the following Tuesday due to a death in the family. I was terrified I'd lose benefits, but EDD actually approved my backdating request without any issues. The key things that helped me: 1. I was honest and detailed in my explanation when requesting backdating 2. I filed as soon as I could after handling the emergency 3. I followed up with a phone call about a week later to confirm my request was being processed Your family emergency sounds like a totally valid reason for the delay - EDD understands that life happens. The fact that you're only a few days late (not weeks or months) also works in your favor. Don't beat yourself up about it, just focus on getting everything submitted correctly now. One tip: when you do your first certification in a couple weeks, double-check that your claim start date reflects the backdated date and not just when you filed. Sometimes there are glitches and it's easier to catch them early!