Missed EDD phone interview by minutes - will they call back or am I stuck?
I'm literally in panic mode right now. Had an eligibility phone interview scheduled for this morning between 10:00-12:00. I had just finished a call with my legal advisor at exactly 10:00am about my case, went to use the bathroom for literally 3 minutes, and OF COURSE that's when EDD decided to call! When I got back and saw the missed call, I immediately tried calling back but got trapped in their automated phone menu hell with absolutely no option to speak to a real person. Now I'm freaking out - will they try calling me again before noon? Should I just sit by my phone until 12:00? Or am I completely screwed and have to somehow reschedule? I've been waiting for this interview for almost 3 weeks and my rent is due in 5 days. I'm down to my last $178 and desperately need this claim to go through. Has anyone dealt with missing their phone interview by literally minutes? Any advice on how to actually reach a human being at EDD to explain what happened? I'm seriously about to have a breakdown here.
34 comments


Keisha Jackson
Unfortunately, they typically make one attempt during your scheduled window. I had a similar situation last year and learned they don't automatically call back if you miss it. You need to contact them ASAP to explain and reschedule. Don't wait until noon hoping for another call.
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StarGazer101
•Oh no... that's what I was afraid of. Do you remember how long it took to get your rescheduled interview after missing the first one? I'm so stressed about this delay.
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Paolo Romano
same thing happened to me too!! missed it by like 2 min cuz i was on the other line w/my boss. totaly sucks. they never called back and my claim got disqualified. took FOREVER to fix it ugh
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StarGazer101
•Oh god, that's terrifying. How long did it take you to get things sorted out after the disqualification? Did you have to appeal or could you just reschedule the interview?
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Amina Diop
Take a deep breath first. Here's what you need to do: 1. Don't wait for them to call back - they usually make just one attempt during your scheduled window. 2. Call EDD immediately at 1-800-300-5616 to explain what happened. You'll want to get through to a Tier 2 specialist who can help reschedule your eligibility interview. 3. Be prepared to wait on hold for a long time, but don't give up. Keep calling until you get through. 4. If you can't reach anyone today, send a message through your UI Online account explaining what happened. 5. If your claim gets disqualified because of the missed interview, you'll need to file an appeal right away. You typically have 30 days from the date on the disqualification notice. Stay persistent! The system is frustrating but getting through to someone is your best option right now.
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StarGazer101
•Thank you for these detailed steps. I've been calling the 1-800 number repeatedly but keep getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message and then it hangs up. Is there any specific time of day that's better for getting through?
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Oliver Schmidt
I tried calling EDD for 2 weeks straight couldnt get thru. finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to a live agent in like 20 min. costs money but was worth it cuz I was in the same boat as u with bills due. they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. just an option if ur desperate! good luck
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StarGazer101
•I've never heard of this before. Did you actually talk to a real person who could help with rescheduling the interview? I'm definitely desperate enough to try anything at this point.
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Oliver Schmidt
•yep got a real person who fixed my claim! just make sure when you get connected you ask specifically to reschedule your eligibility interview. they transferred me to someone who could handle it.
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Natasha Volkov
This happened to me too... I had my toddler screaming in the background and missed the call. Total nightmare!! Eventually got it sorted but took almost a MONTH to get paid. The whole system is designed to make you give up I swear!!!
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Javier Torres
•The system isn't designed to make you give up - it's just overwhelmed with claims. They handle thousands of calls daily with limited staff. That's why following the proper procedures is so important for everyone.
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Javier Torres
As someone who's assisted many people with EDD issues, here's accurate information about missed eligibility interviews: 1. EDD typically makes ONE attempt to call during your scheduled window. They will not automatically call back if you miss it. 2. If you miss your interview, your claim will likely be disqualified within 7-10 days unless you take action. 3. Contact EDD immediately to explain what happened. Be prepared with your claim ID number, last 4 of SSN, and details about why you missed the call (be honest but brief). 4. According to current EDD procedures, you have two options: - Request a reschedule before disqualification occurs - Appeal the disqualification within 30 days if it's already issued 5. Rescheduled interviews are typically set 2-3 weeks out due to their backlog, so be prepared for that delay. You may need to contact your local representatives or Legal Aid if you're in a dire financial situation. Stay on top of this and don't assume anything. Document all your attempts to contact them.
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StarGazer101
•Thank you for this detailed information. I've been trying all day to get through. If I do manage to get someone on the phone, is there anything specific I should say to improve my chances of getting a quick reschedule?
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Javier Torres
•Be direct and concise about your situation. Explain it was a momentary unavailability (bathroom break), not that you forgot or were unprepared. Mention your financial hardship but don't overdo it - they hear many such stories. Ask specifically: "What's the earliest possible date I can be rescheduled?" and "Is there any way to expedite this due to financial hardship?" Sometimes they can place you on a cancellation list for earlier openings.
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Emma Wilson
THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!! They DELIBERATELY call at the beginning of the window when they know people might not be ready yet!!! I've had THREE friends this happened to and NONE of them ever got their money without fighting for MONTHS!!! This is EXACTLY how EDD saves money - by making it IMPOSSIBLE to actually complete the process!!! I bet the interviewer didn't even try calling twice - they just mark it as "no contact" and move on to mess up someone else's life!!!
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Paolo Romano
•i think ur right. my neighbor works for the state (not edd but knows ppl there) and says they have quotas for denied claims 😬
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Javier Torres
•This is incorrect. EDD does not have denial quotas. Interviewers make calls throughout the scheduled window based on their caseload and availability. While the system has many flaws, deliberately calling to ensure missed interviews is not one of them. Spreading misinformation doesn't help people navigate the system.
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Keisha Jackson
I got through to EDD last month after missing my interview by using UI Online messaging. Go to Contact Us in your account, select "Scheduled Phone Interview" as the category, and explain what happened. I got a response within 2 days and they rescheduled me. Not as immediate as calling, but it worked when I couldn't get through on the phone.
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StarGazer101
•Thank you! I just submitted a message through UI Online exactly as you suggested. Did they email you back or did they respond in the UI Online messaging system? I want to make sure I don't miss their response.
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Keisha Jackson
•They'll send you an email notification when there's a message in your UI Online inbox. Make sure to check your spam folder too! Mine took about 48 hours for a response, and they rescheduled me for the following week.
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Amina Diop
Update: Based on my experience helping others with similar situations in 2025, you should call first thing tomorrow morning at 8:01 AM when the phone lines open. The first 30 minutes of the day typically have the shortest wait times. Be prepared with: 1. Your claim ID number 2. The date and time of your missed interview 3. A brief explanation of why you missed it (keep it simple) Ask specifically to speak with a claims specialist who can reschedule your eligibility interview. The frontline representatives often can't help with this directly, so you may need to be transferred. If you can't get through by phone after 3-4 attempts, use both the UI Online messaging system AND send a secure email through AskEDD on their website. Using multiple contact methods increases your chances of getting a response. Document every contact attempt with date, time, and outcome. This paper trail will be helpful if you need to escalate the issue later.
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StarGazer101
•Thank you so much. I'll definitely try calling right at 8:01 AM tomorrow. This is incredibly helpful advice. I'll also make sure to document everything as you suggested.
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StarGazer101
UPDATE: I finally got through!!! After trying the Claimyr service that someone suggested (which did work to get me to an actual person), I was able to explain my situation. The rep told me that because I missed the interview by only a few minutes and tried calling back immediately, they're going to reschedule me for next Thursday morning! She also noted in my file that I made multiple attempts to contact them after missing the call. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help and advice. I was having a complete meltdown earlier and you all helped me figure out what to do. I'll update again after my rescheduled interview to let you know how it goes. Fingers crossed this all gets resolved soon!
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Amina Diop
•That's excellent news! Make absolutely sure you're available for the full window of your rescheduled interview. I recommend being ready 15 minutes before the start time and not planning anything else during that window. Good luck with your interview!
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Paolo Romano
•yay!! good 4 u! make sure u have all ur employment docs ready for the interview!!!
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Madeline Blaze
•So glad you got through! That's a huge relief. Definitely keep that documentation handy in case you need it for future reference. The fact that they noted your multiple contact attempts in your file is really good - shows you were proactive about fixing the situation. Wishing you the best for Thursday's interview!
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Alexander Zeus
So relieved to see your update! This is exactly why persistence pays off with EDD - you did everything right by not giving up and trying multiple contact methods. For your Thursday interview, I'd suggest having a quiet space prepared, your phone fully charged, and maybe even a backup phone nearby just in case. Also keep a notepad handy to jot down any important information they give you during the call. You've got this!
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Omar Fawaz
•Absolutely agree with this advice! I'd also recommend testing your phone's volume and ringer settings beforehand - make sure it's loud enough that you'll hear it from anywhere in your house. Maybe even put it on speaker mode when they call so you don't accidentally hang up while trying to answer. The backup phone idea is brilliant too. You've been through enough stress already, so having everything prepared will give you peace of mind. Rooting for you on Thursday!
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Dylan Wright
Wow, what a roller coaster! I'm so happy you managed to get through and get rescheduled - that's fantastic news! Your story gives me hope because I'm actually in a similar situation right now (missed my interview yesterday due to a family emergency). One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - make sure to also have your laptop or computer ready with your UI Online account logged in during the interview. Sometimes they ask you to check information in your account or verify details while you're on the call. Having everything accessible will make the process smoother. Best of luck on Thursday! Please do update us on how it goes - stories like yours really help others who find themselves in the same panic mode you were in earlier.
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Lucy Lam
•Oh no, I'm so sorry you're dealing with the same situation! A family emergency is completely understandable - that's so stressful on top of everything else. Definitely try the same approaches that worked for me. The Claimyr service really did help me get through when I couldn't reach anyone directly, and the UI Online messaging system seems to work well too based on what others have shared. Having your account logged in during the call is such good advice - I'll definitely do that for my Thursday interview. I hope you're able to get your situation resolved quickly too! This whole process is nerve-wracking enough without missing the interview. I'll definitely update everyone after Thursday - fingers crossed it goes smoothly for both of us!
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Brooklyn Knight
I'm so glad to see your update that you got rescheduled! Your experience really highlights how important it is to not give up and try multiple approaches. For anyone else reading this who might face a similar situation - the key takeaways seem to be: 1) Don't wait around hoping they'll call back, 2) Try multiple contact methods (phone, UI Online messaging, third-party services if needed), 3) Document everything, and 4) Be honest but concise about what happened. The fact that you only missed it by a few minutes and immediately tried calling back definitely worked in your favor. Wishing you the best for Thursday's interview - you've got this!
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Christopher Morgan
•This whole thread has been incredibly helpful to read through! As someone new to dealing with EDD, it's reassuring to see that persistence really does pay off. The advice about calling right at 8:01 AM and having multiple backup plans is so valuable. I'm bookmarking this post in case I ever run into a similar situation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really shows how supporting each other through these stressful processes makes such a difference!
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Sasha Reese
What a stressful situation, but I'm so relieved to see your update that you got rescheduled! Your persistence really paid off. For your Thursday interview, I'd recommend having all your employment documentation organized beforehand - pay stubs, termination letter, any correspondence with your former employer, etc. The interviewer will likely ask about your work history and the circumstances that led to your unemployment claim. Also, find a quiet spot where you won't be interrupted and maybe put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door just to be extra safe. You've been through enough stress already - having everything prepared will help you feel more confident going into the call. Wishing you the best of luck!
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Alexis Robinson
•This is such great advice! I hadn't even thought about organizing all my employment documents beforehand, but that makes total sense. I definitely want to have everything ready so I'm not scrambling to find paperwork while they're on the phone. The "Do Not Disturb" sign idea is brilliant too - after what happened the first time, I'm definitely not taking any chances with interruptions. Thanks for thinking of all these details that could make the difference between a smooth interview and another stressful situation!
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