You are confusing the criteria to file as Head of Household with using the filing status of married filing separately. You cannot get EIC if you file married filing separately. Splitting hairs over how long you lived apart will not make you eligible for EIC if you file married filing separately. There are plenty of people who live together and who file MFS for a variety of reasons. Married filing separately does not mean you lived apart -- you are not required to live apart to file as MFS.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899157-what-are-the-qualifications-for-the-earned-income-credit-e...
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
