EDD phone interview scheduled for 7/29 - Can I call them before my appointment date?

I would strongly advise against calling before your scheduled interview. Those phone interviews are scheduled in their system and tied to specific EDD staff who are assigned to review your case beforehand. If you call the general line, they won't have access to your specific interview details or the authority to conduct the interview early. You'll just waste your time and might even confuse things in their system. Your best bet is to prepare all your documentation for the scheduled call - employment records, separation info, etc. Make sure you're available for that call because missing it can delay your benefits for weeks.

same boat last month!! had 2 wait 3 weeks for my interview and it was TORTURE. tried calling before but just got the runaround tbh

Calling early won't change your interview date and might just cause more confusion. THE SYSTEM IS DELIBERATELY DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU WAIT!!!! They WANT you to struggle while waiting for benefits - it's all about making the process so painful that people give up. I had THREE scheduled interviews last year that they randomly canceled and rescheduled. Each time they told me "oh just wait for the next one" while I was literally about to be evicted. The whole unemployment system is BROKEN BY DESIGN.

I think it really depends on why your interview was scheduled. Is it for income verification? Identity issues? Job separation? Each reason has different urgency levels in their system. When I had my eligibility interview last year it was about my job separation and self-employment income but my friend had one about identity verification and hers got prioritized faster.

When I had my eligibility interview scheduled, I was in a panic too because I was already 6 weeks without income. My situation was complicated because I had worked 2 jobs and one let me go. What helped me get through the waiting period was signing up for CalFresh (food stamps) right away - you can usually get emergency approval within days while your unemployment is still processing. Also check with your utility companies - many have programs where they won't shut off service if you can prove you've applied for unemployment. Hang in there! The interview itself was only about 10 minutes for me.

btw make SURE ur phone is charged and u have good reception on interview day!! my buddy missed his call cuz he was in a bad service area and had to reschedule the whole thing which took another 3 weeks lol

i had a interview in may and they called me 2 days early! so maybe keep an eye out just in case??

I totally understand the anxiety about waiting - I went through the same thing last year. While you can't move up your interview date, here are some things that really helped me during the waiting period: 1) Start gathering all your documentation NOW (pay stubs, termination letter, work schedule changes, etc.) so you're super prepared, 2) Write down a timeline of what happened with your job reduction - having clear dates and details will make the interview go smoother, 3) Consider reaching out to local food banks or community assistance programs while you wait. The interview itself was way less scary than I built it up to be in my head. Most EDD interviewers are just trying to get the facts, not trip you up. Stay strong - you've got this!

I was in a very similar situation last year - scheduled interview for eligibility determination after a hours reduction at my retail job. The waiting was absolutely brutal, especially when you're already struggling financially. From my experience and what I've learned from this community, calling early unfortunately won't help and could potentially create confusion in their system. However, here's what I wish someone had told me during that awful waiting period: apply for emergency food assistance immediately (CalFresh can be approved within days), contact your utility companies about hardship programs, and start documenting EVERYTHING about your job situation now. For your specific case with the restaurant hours cut from 40 to 10, that's typically considered "constructive dismissal" or reduction in work that constitutes good cause for leaving. Make sure you have any texts, emails, or schedules showing the dramatic hour reduction. The interview itself was much shorter and less intimidating than I expected. Hang in there - this community has been a lifesaver for navigating this process!

I went through this exact same anxiety last summer when I had my eligibility interview scheduled. The wait feels endless when you're stressed about money, but unfortunately calling early really won't help - those interviews are specifically scheduled and the rep needs time to review your file beforehand. What DID help me was using that waiting time productively: I gathered every piece of documentation I could find (old schedules, any messages about hour changes, pay stubs showing the reduction), wrote out a clear timeline of events, and practiced explaining my situation out loud. Since your hours dropped from 40 to 10 per week, that's actually a pretty strong case - that level of reduction often qualifies as good cause for leaving. The actual interview was way less stressful than I built up in my head, and having all my info organized made me feel much more confident. Also definitely look into CalFresh and local food banks while you wait - there's no shame in getting help during this gap period!