Is it too late to file an EDD claim if I lost my job 4 months ago?

You're still within the timeframe to file! In California, you can file an unemployment claim within 52 weeks of becoming unemployed. You won't get paid for those past weeks automatically, but you should file ASAP to start getting benefits moving forward. Once your claim is approved, you can also request "backdate" for your claim to your actual last day of work, though you'll need to complete certifications for all those weeks.

ur fine, i filed like 6 months after getting fired last yr. EDD will backdate it but u gotta ask them specifically when u talk to them. good luck getting thru tho lol

I WAITED 2 MONTHS AFTER LOSING MY JOB AND THEY MADE ME JUMP THROUGH HOOPS!!! Had to explain "good cause" for not filing right away and provide documents. EDD is looking for ANY reason to deny claims these days. Call them IMMEDIATELY and get ready to explain why you waited so long!

Just to add on to what others have said, remember you'll need to certify for each of those back weeks separately. My boyfriend had to backdate 3 months and it took him forever to go through all the certifications. Make sure you accurately report any income during those weeks. And don't get too excited about a big payout - they'll likely put the money on your Money Network card gradually over several weeks rather than all at once.

I recommend using Claimyr to reach EDD quickly rather than spending hours on hold. I was in a similar situation (filed 3 months late) and needed to speak directly with an agent about backdating my claim. Used their service at claimyr.com and got connected to an EDD rep in about 15 minutes instead of calling for days. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Definitely worth it when you're dealing with potential backpay amounts.

Wait I'm confused... does backdating mean they pay u for the weeks u didn't certify? Or do u just get to certify late? And how do u even remember what weeks u worked or didn't work from months ago?? This seems really complicated.

Update: I filed my claim online today and requested backdating to March 15th. Now I'm trying to get through to a representative to make sure the backdating request goes through properly. Been calling the 800 number for 3 hours with no luck. Is it always this difficult to reach someone?

I decided to try the Claimyr service that someone mentioned above. Honestly was skeptical, but I got through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes! They confirmed my backdating request is now in the system and told me I'll need to certify for all those weeks once it's approved. The rep also mentioned I should receive an inbox message in UI Online within 5-7 days about the backdating decision. What a relief! Now I just need to gather all my information to accurately certify for those past weeks.

Carmen, I'm so glad you were able to get through and get your backdating request submitted! I went through a similar situation last year when I waited about 3 months to file after being laid off from my retail job. The whole process felt overwhelming at first, but it really does work out. One thing that helped me was creating a simple calendar or spreadsheet for those back weeks to track what I did each week - any job searching, temporary work, or days I couldn't work due to health issues. It made the certification process much smoother. The wait for the backdating approval can be nerve-wracking, but stay positive! And don't worry if the first few certifications feel confusing - you'll get the hang of it quickly.

As someone new to this community, I just wanted to say how helpful this thread has been! I'm actually in a similar situation - got laid off in April and just now getting around to filing. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been really reassuring, especially seeing Carmen's success with getting through to EDD and getting her backdating approved. The tip about using Claimyr seems like it could be a real game-changer for those of us struggling to reach a representative. I'm definitely going to try the calendar/spreadsheet approach that Sophia mentioned too. It's nice to find a place where people actually share practical advice instead of just complaining. Thanks everyone for being so supportive of each other!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! I was laid off from my job at a tech startup in February but didn't file until May because I thought I'd find something quickly (spoiler alert: I didn't). The backdating process was honestly smoother than I expected once I finally got through to someone. A few tips that helped me: 1) Keep your termination paperwork handy when you call - they'll ask for your last day of work and final pay details, 2) Be prepared to explain why you delayed filing (they're usually understanding about legitimate reasons like health issues or family care), and 3) Start gathering any records you have from those missed weeks now - even bank statements can help you remember if you had any temporary income. The whole process took about 2 weeks from my initial call to getting my first backdated payment, so hang in there! Also, big shoutout to this community for being such a great resource during these stressful times.

As someone who just joined this community after finding myself in a similar situation, I can't express how grateful I am for all the detailed advice shared here! I was let go from my accounting firm position back in February and have been putting off filing for unemployment due to a combination of pride and honestly just being overwhelmed by the whole process. Reading through Carmen's journey and everyone's helpful responses has given me the courage to finally start my claim today. The Claimyr service tip seems like it could save me days of frustration, and I'm definitely going to create that spreadsheet Sophia mentioned to track my past weeks. It's reassuring to know that even waiting several months doesn't automatically disqualify you from benefits. Thank you all for creating such a supportive environment where people feel comfortable sharing both their struggles and solutions!

Hi everyone! I'm new to this community and honestly feeling pretty lost right now. I lost my job at a marketing agency about 3 months ago and have been putting off filing for unemployment because I kept thinking I'd land something new quickly. Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea you could backdate claims or that there was a 52-week window! Carmen, your situation sounds almost identical to mine, and seeing how helpful everyone has been with specific advice and resources gives me so much hope. I'm definitely going to file my claim this week and try the Claimyr service if I can't get through the regular phone lines. It's amazing to find a community where people actually share practical solutions instead of just venting. Thank you all for being so generous with your knowledge and support - it means more than you know to someone who's been struggling in silence!

Hey everyone! I just stumbled across this community while frantically googling about late EDD filings, and wow - this thread has been a goldmine of information! I'm in almost the exact same boat as Carmen. Got laid off from my retail supervisor job back in April and kept putting off filing because I was convinced I'd find something quickly (spoiler alert: the job market is brutal right now). Reading through all your experiences has been such a relief - I honestly thought I was completely screwed and had missed my chance at any benefits. The fact that you can backdate up to 52 weeks is news to me! I'm definitely going to file this week and try that Claimyr service if the regular phone lines are as impossible as everyone says. Carmen, thanks for sharing your journey and updates - it's so helpful to see the whole process play out. And to everyone who's shared tips about documentation and the certification process, you're all lifesavers! It's incredible to find a community where people actually help each other navigate this confusing system instead of just complaining. Here goes nothing - wish me luck!

Welcome to everyone who's recently joined this community! As someone who's been following this thread from the beginning, it's been incredible to watch Carmen's journey and see how many people are in similar situations. I wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I was backdating my claim last year - if you have any old emails in your job search folder or screenshots of job applications, those can be really helpful when you're trying to remember what you were doing during specific weeks for your certifications. Even LinkedIn messages about job opportunities can serve as evidence of your job search activities. Also, don't stress if you can't remember every single detail perfectly - EDD understands that people aren't expected to have perfect recall of events from months ago. The most important thing is being honest about what you do remember and not trying to fabricate details. This community has been such a blessing for so many people navigating this process!