how far can i backdate my edd claim

In California, if you’re referring to backdating an unemployment insurance claim through the Employment Development Department (EDD), the general rule is that you can certify for benefits retroactively, but there are some limitations.

Typically, you can backdate your claim to the Sunday of the week you became unemployed or the Sunday of the week you reduced your work hours, whichever is applicable. However, there’s a 21-day limit to certify for benefits retroactively.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. 21-day retroactive certification: You can certify for benefits up to 21 days from the current date. If you’re more than 21 days late, you’ll need to provide a valid reason for the delay.
2. Sunday-to-Saturday benefit week: The EDD uses a Sunday-to-Saturday benefit week. If you become unemployed or reduce your work hours, you can backdate your claim to the previous Sunday.
3. Certification deadline: You must certify for benefits within 21 days of the end of the benefit week. If you miss this deadline, you might not be able to receive benefits for that week.
4. Good cause for late certification: If you have a valid reason for not certifying on time, you might be able to backdate your claim further. Examples of good cause include:

   • Lack of knowledge about the certification process
   • Technical issues with the online certification system
   • Serious illness or injury
   • Family emergency

To backdate your EDD claim, you can:

1. Call the EDD’s Unemployment Insurance Customer Service line at (800) 300-5616.
2. Use the EDD’s online certification system, UI Online.
3. Visit an EDD office in person.

Keep in mind that backdating a claim is subject to EDD review and approval. Be prepared to provide documentation and explanations to support your request.