I had my backdating interview about 2 months ago and wanted to share some specific tips that really helped me succeed! I was laid off in December but didn't file until late January - about 6 weeks later - because I was honestly in denial about needing unemployment and thought something would come through quickly. Here's what I learned from my experience: 1. Write down your key points beforehand. I had a simple timeline ready: layoff date, when I started realizing I needed to file, and my honest reason for the delay. 2. They really do want to hear genuine reasons. I told them I was dealing with the emotional impact of losing my job and wasn't familiar with the system since I'd been employed for 8+ years straight. They seemed to appreciate the honesty. 3. Have all your dates ready - not just your termination letter, but also when you first looked into unemployment, when you actually filed, etc. They asked for very specific timelines. 4. If you applied for any jobs during those weeks, definitely mention it! I brought up that I had been actively searching and they noted that as evidence I was available for work. The interviewer was actually pretty kind and understanding. The whole thing took about 15 minutes and I got approved for 5 out of 6 weeks (they denied one week where I had briefly traveled out of state). Your reason about being overwhelmed and expecting to find work quickly is totally valid - that's exactly what happened to me! Just be prepared to explain it clearly and you should be fine. Rooting for you!

I went through a backdating interview about 8 weeks ago and got approved for all 5 weeks I requested! I was laid off from my marketing job in early January but didn't file until mid-February because I was honestly just shocked and overwhelmed by the whole situation. Like you, I thought I'd find something quickly since I had good experience. The interview was really straightforward - they asked when I was laid off, why I delayed filing, and whether anything prevented me from filing sooner. I was completely honest and said I was dealing with the emotional stress of losing my job unexpectedly and wasn't sure about the process since I'd never filed for unemployment before. What really helped me was having my termination letter ready with the exact dates, plus I mentioned that I had been actively job searching during those weeks (which I could prove with application emails if needed). The interviewer seemed to appreciate that I was being genuine about my circumstances rather than trying to come up with what I thought was the "right" answer. The whole call took about 13 minutes and they were actually pretty understanding. Your situation sounds very similar to mine - being overwhelmed after a layoff and thinking you'll bounce back quickly is totally normal and relatable. Just be honest about your experience, have your paperwork ready, and don't stress too much about it. You've got this! The fact that you're preparing ahead of time shows you're taking it seriously, which is exactly the right approach.

Just wanted to add my experience to this thread since it's been so helpful! I had my second EDD interview last month and it ended up being about work search verification. My first interview covered the basics about my separation, but the second one focused specifically on whether I was actively looking for work and available to accept employment. The interviewer asked for specific examples of jobs I'd applied to, what types of positions I was seeking, and whether I had any restrictions on my availability. It lasted about 20 minutes and was pretty straightforward once I had my job search log ready to reference. One thing that surprised me was that they asked about my LinkedIn activity and whether I'd been networking. Apparently they're looking at more than just formal job applications now - they want to see that you're making genuine efforts to find work through multiple channels. For anyone preparing for their second interview, I'd recommend: - Keep detailed records of all job applications, networking events, etc. - Be ready to explain your job search strategy - Have specific company names and dates available - Don't exaggerate - they may verify some of your claims Like everyone else here, my payments continued throughout the process and everything turned out fine. This thread really helped calm my nerves when I first got that notice. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who shared their experiences in this thread! I was absolutely panicking when I got my second interview notice last week, but reading through all of these stories has completely changed my perspective. It's incredible how much anxiety could be prevented if EDD just included a simple note on their interview notices explaining that multiple interviews are now part of their standard verification process. Instead, we're all left thinking something terrible is wrong with our claims. The range of reasons people have shared is really eye-opening - wage verification, work search activities, employer disputes, identity confirmation, and just general quality control audits. It seems like pretty much anything can trigger a follow-up interview these days. I'm definitely taking all the preparation advice to heart: gathering documentation, staying consistent with previous answers, having specific dates ready, and keeping detailed job search records. The tip about writing down what you remember from the first interview is genius - I wish I had thought of that earlier! The constructive discharge discussion has been particularly valuable. I had no idea there was legal recognition for situations where employers essentially force you to quit by making conditions impossible. That knowledge could help so many people who think they're automatically disqualified because they technically "resigned." Thanks again to everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion. This thread should definitely be a resource for anyone dealing with EDD's new multi-interview process!

Timothy, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - three weeks without SDI payments while following their instructions is completely unacceptable. I'm new to this community but have been reading through all the incredible advice shared here, and I wanted to add one more potential avenue that helped a colleague of mine. Try contacting your local State Senator's office (not just Assembly member) - they often have dedicated caseworkers who specialize in EDD/SDI issues and sometimes have different contacts within the system. You can find your senator through the CA Senate website by entering your zip code. Also, consider filing a complaint with the California State Auditor's office about the systemic failure - when an entire office has a full voicemail for over a week, that's a breakdown that affects more than just your case. While this won't solve your immediate problem, it creates accountability. In the meantime, I'd try the 7:59 AM calling strategy others mentioned combined with the specific phrases like "system failure preventing compliance" that QuantumQuester suggested. The fact that you've documented a week of attempted compliance while their system blocks you should work strongly in your favor. This community has shown that persistence through multiple channels really does work - don't lose hope!

Timothy, I'm so sorry you're going through this - 3 weeks without SDI payments while diligently trying to follow their call-in procedures is absolutely inexcusable. Reading through all the excellent advice shared here, I wanted to add one strategy that worked for me in a similar situation: try calling the EDD's ADA Accommodation line at 1-800-480-3287 and explain that the full voicemail system is creating a barrier to your ability to comply with their call-in notice. Even if you don't have a disability, the fact that their broken system is preventing compliance might get you transferred to someone with more authority to resolve the issue immediately. Also, if you have any medical documentation related to your SDI claim, mention that the payment delay is affecting your ability to manage your medical condition - this sometimes triggers priority handling. I'd also suggest sending an email to your county's Board of Supervisors about the systemic failure you've encountered - local elected officials often have direct lines to state agency supervisors and can escalate cases quickly. The community has shared so many brilliant strategies here, from the early morning calling techniques to the executive-level contacts. You shouldn't have to become an expert in bureaucratic workarounds just to receive benefits you're entitled to, but this community has your back. Keep fighting - one of these approaches will break through!

I went through this exact nightmare a few months ago! Three weeks without a card is definitely not normal - you should have received it within 7-10 business days max. Here's what finally worked for me: Call Money Network at 1-800-240-0223 right at 8am when they open - their phone lines are less jammed in the early morning. Have your SSN and claim details ready. When you get through, ask them to: 1. Verify the exact mailing address they have on file 2. Check if a card was already sent and track its status 3. If there's any issue, request an expedited replacement card (usually $10 but worth it for 2-3 day delivery) The address thing is super important - I had updated mine in UI Online after filing my initial claim, but Money Network was still using the old address from my original application. Once they corrected it and sent a new card, I had it in 3 days. And yes, BofA cards are completely done - all new claims only use Money Network now. The transition has been messy but hang in there. Once you get the card, consider setting up direct deposit to your personal bank through the Money Network app to avoid future card issues!

I'm going through something similar right now! Got my first payment issued two weeks ago but still no Money Network card. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - it sounds like calling Money Network directly at 1-800-240-0223 early in the morning is the way to go. The address verification issue that several people mentioned is making me nervous though. I moved right before I filed my claim and I'm worried there might be some mismatch between what I put on my original application versus what's in UI Online now. Has anyone had success getting EDD to update their address information directly, or do you have to go through Money Network for that? Also, for those who had to pay the $10 expedited shipping fee - was it worth it or should I just wait for regular delivery once they send the replacement? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's stressful dealing with this but at least I know I'm not alone!

I had a similar issue where my SDI claim completely disappeared from my online account. After panicking for a few days, I called the SDI technical support line at 1-833-978-2511. It turned out there was a system glitch that was affecting multiple accounts. They were able to restore my claim information within 24 hours of my call. If waiting another day doesn't resolve it, definitely call that number - they can see your claim on their end even when it's not showing up in your online portal. Make sure to have your Social Security number and any claim numbers you might have written down ready when you call. Hope this helps and that your claim reappears soon!

I experienced something similar a few months ago - my entire SDI claim vanished from the online portal overnight. Like others have mentioned, it turned out to be a system issue on EDD's end. Here's what worked for me: 1. First, I waited 48 hours as suggested by others here 2. When it didn't reappear, I called the SDI technical support at 1-833-978-2511 3. They confirmed my claim was still active in their system and that it was a display issue 4. It took about 3 business days for everything to show up correctly again During this time, I was worried sick thinking I'd lost everything, but the rep assured me that claims don't just disappear - it's almost always a technical glitch. They also mentioned that these issues happen more frequently during system maintenance periods (usually overnight) and when there are high volumes of new claims being processed. Keep checking daily, and if it's been more than 2-3 days, definitely call that technical support number. Don't panic - your claim is likely still there, just not displaying properly. Good luck!