EDD phone interview 40 minutes late - what happens if I leave for work?

This happens ALL the time with EDD interviews. They're chronically understaffed and interviews often run late. The good news is that missing their call doesn't automatically disqualify you. If they call and you can't answer, they'll likely send you a form to fill out explaining your situation. Make sure to check your UI Online inbox regularly and respond to any messages ASAP. You should also call them back as soon as you can to explain what happened and try to reschedule.

Thank you!! That makes me feel a bit better. Should I try calling them right after I miss their call to explain, or wait for them to contact me first?

omg this EXACT same thing happened 2 me last month!!! they were like 2 hrs late for my interview & i was already at work. my supervisor wouldnt let me take the call & i panicked. BUT they just sent me a notice to reschedule. No disqualification, thank god

That's reassuring! Did you do anything special to let them know why you missed the call, or did they just automatically reschedule?

the edd system is a JOKE!!! they expect us to be available whenever they feel like calling but they can't even stick to their own timeframes??? i waited 3 hours past my scheduled window once and the interviewer had the nerve to act like i was the problem for being upset. you should file a complaint against them for this kind of unprofessional behavior.

Filing a complaint probably won't help the immediate situation though. Better to focus on getting the interview rescheduled first, then consider the complaint option if needed.

I'd recommend trying to call them before you leave for work to explain the situation. The best approach is to call EDD directly at 1-800-300-5616, but as you probably know, getting through is nearly impossible with regular calling methods. I recently discovered a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an EDD agent in under 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km\n\nIt was a game changer for me when I had a similar interview scheduling issue. The agent was able to add notes to my account about why I couldn't make the original time window.

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll check out that service - at this point I'm desperate to get this sorted out before any benefits get messed up.

I work in HR and deal with EDD stuff regularly. Here's what you need to know: If they call outside their scheduled window and you miss it, document EVERYTHING. Write down exactly when they were supposed to call, when you had to leave, etc. Keep documentation of your work schedule if possible. When you get home from work, immediately call and explain what happened - make sure they note it in your file. You can also send a message through UI Online explaining why you couldn't answer. The key is being proactive rather than waiting for them to take action against your claim.

this is good advice!! i wish id known to document everything b4. woulda saved me so much stress

Thank you for the detailed advice. I'll start documenting everything right away and will call as soon as I get off work. Do you know if there's a specific department I should try to reach when I call?

So did they ever end up calling you? My interview was scheduled for last week and they never called at all, just sent me a notice saying I missed it! The whole system is broken.

I had to leave for work without them calling. Just got home and there was a voicemail that came in about 30 minutes after I left! Going to try calling back first thing tomorrow morning.

Hi there, I'm an EDD claims specialist (not officially representing EDD here). If you miss an eligibility interview because it was scheduled outside your availability or because the interviewer called outside the scheduled window, you should immediately send a written explanation through UI Online under

Thank you so much for this specific advice! I just submitted a message through UI Online exactly as you suggested. I'll try that direct number tomorrow morning. Really appreciate the help!

my neighbor works at edd (not supposed to tell anyone lol) & she says they r soooo behind on interviews that theyre working overtime & weekends trying 2 catch up. she said dont panic if u miss the call just make sure 2 respond 2 any notice they send u

While this may be true about them being behind, I'd still recommend being proactive rather than just waiting for a notice. Taking initiative to contact them shows good faith on your part.

UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning! Used that Claimyr service someone recommended and got through in about 15 minutes. The agent was actually really understanding and rescheduled my interview for next week. They added notes to my account explaining what happened yesterday. So relieved! Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

Great news! Make sure you're available for the full window of your new interview time, and if possible, try to have some flexibility afterward in case they run late again. Glad you got it resolved!

That's awesome! Thanks for updating us. This is exactly why being proactive pays off with EDD issues.