What to expect during EDD phone interview? First-timer nervous about questions!

I had my interview back in January. Don't stress too much! The interviews typically last 15-30 minutes. The interviewer will ask about your separation from your employer - why you left, the circumstances, etc. Since you were laid off due to restructuring, just be honest and straightforward about that. Have your termination letter or any documentation that shows the layoff reason handy. They might also verify your work history and wages. Make sure you're available at the scheduled time - they usually only try calling once or twice.

just had mine last week! they basicaly wanna know if u were fired or quit or laid off. if u were laid off ur good to go!! my interview was only like 10 min

I'll tell you my experience from March 2025. The interview is mainly to determine if you're eligible for benefits based on the reason you separated from your employer. Since you were laid off due to organizational restructuring, you should be fine. The interviewer will verify this with your employer, so make sure your story matches what your employer will say. They'll ask: 1. Last day worked 2. Reason for separation (be specific about the restructuring) 3. If you're able and available for work 4. What type of work you're looking for 5. If you've refused any job offers Have ready: - Termination letter - Final pay stub - Any communication about the layoff - List of jobs you've applied to The interview is usually 15-30 minutes. Answer honestly but concisely. Don't volunteer unnecessary information. If you don't know an answer, it's okay to say so rather than guessing.

My interview was a DISASTER! The EDD interviewer was rude and kept interrupting me. Then they denied my claim saying I wasn't looking for work hard enough even though I applied to like 20 jobs! The whole system is rigged!!!!

When I had my eligibility interview in February, I was super anxious too! But the EDD rep was actually really nice. One big tip: MAKE SURE your phone accepts calls from unknown/blocked numbers! EDD calls often show up as 'Unknown Caller' and if you have those blocked, you'll miss the interview. Also, find a quiet place with good reception for the call. After my interview, I still had issues with my claim and couldn't get through to anyone at EDD. I discovered Claimyr.com which connected me to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. Their video (https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km) shows how it works. Definitely worth it when you're dealing with claim issues and can't get through on the regular line.

As someone who's helped many people through this process, here's what you should know about EDD eligibility interviews: 1. For layoffs due to restructuring, the interview is mainly a verification process. As long as your employer confirms the same reason for separation, you should be fine. 2. Have your facts straight: exact last day worked, final wages, and the specific reason given for your layoff. 3. The most common mistake people make is inconsistency between what they tell EDD and what their employer reports. Double-check all dates and reasons. 4. For work search requirements, be prepared to discuss 3-5 recent job applications with specific company names and approximate dates. You don't need exact dates for every application. 5. Answer questions directly and truthfully. Don't elaborate unnecessarily. 6. Take notes during the interview, especially if they give you specific instructions. 7. If approved, ask when you can expect payments to begin. Remember, layoffs due to restructuring are generally qualifying events for unemployment benefits. The interview is standard procedure, not an indication of problems with your claim.

Regarding your availability question - you need to be available for work similar to your previous employment. If your previous job accommodated your childcare schedule, then maintaining similar restrictions should be fine. However, if you're placing new restrictions that significantly limit your availability compared to your previous job, it could potentially affect your eligibility. Be honest but understand that you need to be available for suitable work in your field.

good luck on ur interview!! u got this!

I went through this exact same situation last month! I was also laid off due to restructuring after working at my company for several years. The interview was honestly much easier than I expected - the EDD representative was professional and understanding. Since you have a legitimate layoff reason, the main things they'll verify are: - Your last day of work - The reason for separation (organizational restructuring) - That you're actively seeking work - Your availability for employment The whole thing took about 20 minutes. I had my termination paperwork ready, but they didn't even ask me to read from it - they just wanted me to explain the situation in my own words. One thing that helped me was writing down the key facts beforehand: my exact last day worked, my supervisor's name, and a brief explanation of the restructuring. This way I wasn't scrambling to remember details during the call. You've got this! Since you were laid off through no fault of your own, you should be approved without any issues. Just be honest and straightforward in your answers.

I just went through my EDD phone interview two weeks ago and wanted to share what helped me prepare! I was also super nervous beforehand, but it ended up being much more straightforward than I expected. Here's what I wish I had known: **Before the call:** - Test your phone reception in the spot where you'll take the call - Have a pen and paper ready to jot down any important info they give you - Keep your termination letter and a few recent pay stubs within reach - Write down your exact last day worked and the specific reason for your layoff **During the interview:** - They started by confirming my basic info (name, SSN, address) - Asked about my last day of work and reason for separation - Verified my previous wages and work history - Asked if I was able and available for work - Inquired about my job search efforts (I mentioned a few companies I'd applied to) The whole thing took about 25 minutes. The interviewer was professional and patient when I needed a moment to check my paperwork. Since you were laid off due to restructuring, you're in a good position - that's considered involuntary separation and typically qualifies for benefits. One last tip: if you don't understand a question, it's totally okay to ask them to repeat it or clarify. Better to get it right than guess! You'll do great!

I had my EDD phone interview about 3 weeks ago and I totally understand your nerves! I was a wreck beforehand too, but it really wasn't as scary as I built it up to be in my head. Since you were laid off due to organizational restructuring, you're actually in a really good position - that's exactly the type of situation unemployment benefits are designed for. The interviewer will mainly want to confirm the details of your separation and make sure everything matches up with what your employer reports. A few practical tips that really helped me: - Answer the phone with your full name when they call (they usually call within 15 minutes of the scheduled time) - Speak slowly and clearly - sometimes the connection isn't perfect - It's totally fine to say "let me check my paperwork" if you need to look something up - Keep a glass of water nearby in case your mouth gets dry from nerves The fact that you worked at the same company for 6 years actually works in your favor - it shows you're a stable employee who was genuinely affected by circumstances beyond your control. Just stick to the facts about the restructuring and you should be approved without any issues. You've got this! The anticipation is honestly worse than the actual interview.

I just went through my EDD phone interview last week and wanted to share some encouragement! I was also a first-timer and incredibly anxious beforehand. Like you, I was laid off due to company restructuring after several years with the same employer. The interview was honestly much more routine than I expected. The representative was professional and seemed to understand that layoffs due to restructuring are pretty straightforward cases. Here's what happened in mine: - They verified my personal information first - Asked me to explain in my own words why I left my job - Confirmed my last day worked and final wages - Asked if I was actively looking for work and available to accept suitable employment - Briefly discussed the types of positions I was seeking The whole thing took about 20 minutes. I had all my paperwork ready (termination letter, final paystub), but they didn't ask me to read from anything specific - they just wanted to hear my explanation. One thing that really helped calm my nerves was reminding myself that EDD wants to help eligible people get benefits. Since you were laid off through no fault of your own due to organizational changes, you're exactly the type of person the system is designed to support. Take a deep breath - you're going to do great! The fact that you're preparing and asking questions shows you're taking it seriously, which is all you need to do.

I went through my EDD phone interview just two weeks ago and I completely understand your anxiety! I was also laid off due to company restructuring after 4 years at my job, so our situations are very similar. Here's what really helped me prepare and what actually happened: **What they asked:** - Basic verification (name, address, SSN) - Exact last day of work - Detailed explanation of why I was separated from employment - Whether I received any severance or final payments - If I'm actively seeking work and available for employment - A few examples of recent job applications **What made it easier:** - The interviewer explained each step as we went along - They were patient when I needed to reference my paperwork - Having my termination documentation nearby gave me confidence, even though I didn't need to read from it The call lasted about 30 minutes, and honestly, once we got started it felt more like a routine verification than an interrogation. Since you were laid off due to organizational restructuring, you're dealing with what they call "involuntary separation" - which is exactly what unemployment benefits are designed for. My biggest advice: trust that you know your own work situation better than anyone. You were there for 6 years, you know exactly what happened with the restructuring, and you have the documentation to back it up. Just tell your story honestly and you'll be fine! You've got this! The hard part (losing your job) is behind you. This interview is just a step toward getting the support you've earned.

I just had my EDD phone interview yesterday and wanted to jump in with some fresh perspective! I was also super nervous beforehand - I barely slept the night before because I kept worrying about what they'd ask. Here's what actually happened vs. what I was imagining: **What I thought it would be like:** Intense interrogation where they'd try to catch me in lies or find reasons to deny my claim **What it was actually like:** Professional, straightforward conversation to verify the facts of my case The interviewer started by explaining that since I was laid off (not fired or quit), this was mainly a routine verification. They asked about: - My last day worked and final pay - The specific reason my employer gave for the layoff - Whether I was looking for work and available to accept jobs - A couple examples of where I'd applied recently The whole thing took 22 minutes. I had my termination letter ready but honestly could have done the interview without it - they just wanted me to explain what happened in my own words. One thing that really helped was when the interviewer said at the beginning: "This is a standard interview for layoffs due to company changes. We just need to verify some details." That immediately made me realize this wasn't adversarial. Since you were laid off due to restructuring after 6 years at the same company, you're in an excellent position. That's exactly the situation unemployment benefits were created for. Just be honest about what happened and you'll be approved. The anxiety beforehand is definitely worse than the actual call!

I was laid off from my part time position due to the company closing very suddenly. I worked PT, remotely. When I filed my claim, I marked that I can only work PT due to childcare issues (I have a 3-year-old). I am a SAHM/WFHM and my husband works 5-6 days a week. He's gone before we are up and home close to 8pm. I don't have a village. Childcare prices are insane which is why we decided that I would stay home and look for remote work when our son was an infant. No sense in working just to pay for childcare. I am looking for positions that are PT and work from home, just as my last job was. They scheduled an interview and I was told it's because I put that I can only work PT due to childcare issues. From what I read on the EDD website, Effective January 1, 2002, UI Code Section 1253.8 allows claimants to be available for only part-time work (regardless of the reason why he/she is restricting to part-time) as long as he/she meets the following criteria (a) The claim is based on the part-time employment. (b) The claimant is actively seeking and is willing to accept work under essentially the same conditions as existed while the wage credits were accrued. (c) The claimant imposes no other restrictions and is in a labor market in which a reasonable demand exists for the part-time services he or she offers. I meet all of these criteria. Can they deny me benefits? I've applied for 4 jobs in the last 2.5 weeks or so. The biggest issue is that I live in CA. Many remote jobs are not open to CA applicants. EDD said they will send a letter with example questions, but I haven't received it yet. My interview is on 10/1.

You're absolutely right about UI Code Section 1253.8, and it sounds like you meet all the criteria! Since your claim is based on part-time employment and you're seeking work under the same conditions (PT, remote), you should be eligible. The key is demonstrating that you're actively searching and there's reasonable demand for your services in your area. For your interview, be prepared to explain: - Your previous job was part-time and remote - You're seeking similar PT remote positions - You have legitimate childcare constraints that existed during your previous employment - You're actively applying (mention those 4 applications with specific companies if asked) You're right that many remote jobs exclude CA applicants due to employment laws, which actually strengthens your case that you're facing legitimate market constraints, not just being picky. Document your job search efforts with company names, dates applied, and position details. The interviewer will likely verify that you're genuinely looking for work within your stated parameters. Since you worked PT remotely before and are seeking the same type of work, this should be straightforward. Stay confident - you know the law and you meet the requirements. The interview is just to verify these facts!

I just had my EDD phone interview last Friday and wanted to share my experience to hopefully help ease your anxiety! I was also laid off due to organizational restructuring after working at my company for 5 years, so our situations are very similar. The interview was much more straightforward than I anticipated. Here's what happened: **The Process:** - They called exactly on time and were very professional - Started with basic verification (name, address, etc.) - Asked me to explain in my own words why I left my job - Verified my last day worked and final pay details - Asked about my availability for work and job search efforts - Confirmed I hadn't refused any job offers **What Really Helped:** - Having my termination letter nearby (though I didn't need to read from it) - Writing down key dates beforehand so I wouldn't stumble - Taking the call in a quiet room with good phone reception - Remembering that they WANT to help eligible people get benefits The whole thing took about 25 minutes. Since you were laid off due to restructuring after 6 years with the same company, you're exactly the type of case they see all the time - involuntary separation through no fault of your own. One thing the interviewer told me that really helped: "Layoffs due to company restructuring are generally straightforward eligibility cases. We just need to verify the details match what your employer reports." You've got this! The anticipation is honestly the worst part. Just be honest about what happened and you'll be approved. Good luck with your interview!

I just completed my EDD phone interview this morning and wanted to share my experience while it's still fresh! Like you, I was incredibly nervous beforehand - I'd been laid off due to company restructuring after 4+ years and had no idea what to expect. The interview was honestly so much easier than I built it up to be in my mind. Here's what actually happened: **The Call:** - They called right at the scheduled time from an "Unknown" number - The representative was friendly and professional, not intimidating at all - Started by explaining this was a routine eligibility verification for layoffs - Total time was about 20 minutes **Questions Asked:** - Basic info confirmation (name, address, SSN) - Last day worked and reason for separation - Whether I received severance or final pay - My availability for work and job search efforts - If I had refused any job offers **What I Learned:** The interviewer actually said "Since this was a layoff due to restructuring, we mainly need to verify the details match your employer's report. These cases are usually pretty straightforward." That immediately put me at ease! I had all my paperwork ready (termination letter, final paystub) but ended up not needing to reference most of it. They just wanted me to explain what happened in my own words. Since you were laid off after 6 years due to organizational restructuring, you're in an excellent position. This is exactly what unemployment benefits are designed for. Just be honest about the situation and you'll be approved. The anxiety beforehand is definitely worse than the actual interview - you've got this!

I just had my EDD phone interview yesterday and wanted to share some encouragement! I was in almost the exact same situation - laid off due to restructuring after working at my company for 7 years. I was SO nervous beforehand, but it ended up being much more routine than I expected. The interviewer was actually really kind and started by saying "I see this was a layoff due to company restructuring - these are typically straightforward cases, so don't worry." That immediately helped me relax! Here's what they asked: - Confirmed my personal details - Asked about my last day of work and final pay - Had me explain the restructuring situation in my own words - Asked if I was actively looking for work - Wanted to know about a few recent job applications The whole call took about 18 minutes. I had my termination paperwork ready, but they didn't ask me to read from it - they just wanted to hear my version of events. Since you were there for 6 years and have clear documentation of the layoff reason, you should have no problems at all. Just answer honestly and don't overthink it. The fact that you're asking questions and preparing shows you're taking it seriously, which is all you need to do. You've got this! The hardest part (losing your job) is already behind you. This is just a step toward getting the benefits you've earned.

I just had my EDD interview last week and completely understand your anxiety! I was also laid off due to company restructuring after several years and was terrified I'd mess something up. Here's what really helped me prepare: **Key things to have ready:** - Your exact last day worked - Clear explanation of the restructuring (be specific but concise) - Names of a few companies you've applied to recently - Your termination letter nearby (even if you don't need to read from it) **What actually happened:** The interviewer was professional and understanding. They explained it was routine verification since I was laid off involuntarily. Most questions were straightforward - why I left, when, if I'm looking for work, etc. **Biggest tip:** Answer honestly but don't over-explain. If they ask why you were laid off, say something like "My position was eliminated due to organizational restructuring" and let them ask follow-up questions if needed. Since you were laid off after 6 years due to restructuring, you're in great shape! This is exactly what unemployment benefits are for. The interview is just to verify details, not to trip you up. Take a deep breath - you've got this! The call lasted about 20 minutes and I was approved the same day. You'll be fine!