Super short EDD eligibility interview for my appeal - normal or did I mess up?

Yes, this is actually pretty common! My eligibility interview was also really short (maybe 8 minutes). The interviewer just verified my last day of work and why I left. I was approved 3 days later. If they already have documentation from both sides, they often just need to clarify a few specific details. The fact that the interviewer said she had what she needed is probably a good sign!

These interviews can be SUPER short if the interviewer already determined which way they're leaning. If they already reviewed your case file and saw evidence that supports your claim about employment dates, they might just need to verify a couple quick things before making a decision. I wouldn't panic yet.

Hmm, that does seem unusually short. In my experience working with unemployment cases, the interviewer should have given you more time to present your evidence. Did you specifically tell her you had documentation to show the correct employment dates? Did you try to speak up during the call?

My interview was like 30 min and they asked me a bunch of questions and I still got denied lol. Then had to wait another 3 months for an appeal hearing. EDD is so random sometimes.

This actually happened to me too! I was expecting this long, intense interview for my eligibility determination, but it was maybe 4 minutes. I was so panicked afterward thinking I'd messed up by not saying more. But it turned out the interviewer had already reviewed my documents and just needed to confirm a couple specific details. Got approved a week later! If you're really worried, I would strongly suggest trying to reach an EDD rep to confirm they have all your documentation in your file. I couldn't get through for days using the regular number, but I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to a rep in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. The rep was able to confirm all my documents were in my file and being reviewed.

Listen the EDD system is COMPLETELY BROKEN! They have so many cases that interviewers are rushing through them which is why so many ppl get wrongly denied. My neighbor got denied, then approved on appeal, then they tried to say he owed $8900 in overpayment, then finally admitted it was THEIR ERROR. The whole thing is a joke. Keep fighting!!!!

did u at least ask when you might hear back? waiting is the worst part

Just to provide some clarification on the process: Appeal interviews can vary widely in length. If the discrepancy is simply about employment dates (rather than misconduct or voluntary quit reasons), and if you've already provided documentation showing your correct dates of employment, a brief interview might be completely normal. The interviewer likely already reviewed your evidence and your employer's statements before the call. They may have just needed verbal confirmation of a couple key details. Decisions typically arrive within 7-10 business days. If you don't receive anything within two weeks, I'd recommend contacting EDD to check on the status. Keep in mind that if the decision is favorable, you should be eligible for back payments for all the weeks you've certified during this waiting period.

my cousin works at edd (not in appeals but diff dept) and she says they're sooo backed up right now theyre trying to get thru interviews faster. but that doesnt mean theyre not lookin at ur evidence.

Update us when you get your decision! I'm curious to see if a short interview leads to approval. For what it's worth, employment date disputes are usually easier to resolve than misconduct cases since it's just about verifiable facts, not interpretations of behavior.

I had a similar experience last year! My eligibility interview was only about 6 minutes and I was convinced I'd blown it because I didn't get to present half of what I'd prepared. The interviewer asked maybe 3 questions total and seemed to already know the basic facts of my case. Turns out she had already reviewed all my uploaded documents beforehand and just needed to verify a couple details verbally. Got my approval letter 5 days later and received all my back pay within 2 weeks after that. The key thing is that you've been consistently certifying during this whole process - that shows you've been available and looking for work, which strengthens your case. Try not to overthink it too much. Employment date discrepancies are usually pretty cut and dry when you have the documentation to back it up.

I'm going through something very similar right now! My eligibility interview was scheduled for next week and I've been preparing for hours, gathering every piece of documentation I can think of. Your post actually makes me feel a bit better about what to expect - I was imagining this intense hour-long interrogation but it sounds like they might already have most of what they need from the case file. The 7 months without benefits sounds absolutely brutal though. I've only been waiting 3 months and it's already putting serious financial strain on my family. Really hoping your decision comes back positive soon! Keep us posted when you hear back - stories like yours help the rest of us know what we're dealing with in this whole process.