I just wanted to add my experience since I went through this same nightmare about 8 months ago after getting laid off from my restaurant management job. The EDD website is absolutely useless for finding actual programs - I spent literally hours clicking through those same circular links everyone's complaining about. What finally worked for me was going to my local WorkSource center and meeting with a career counselor in person. She had this amazing resource - a spreadsheet tracking which training programs had been approved for CTB over the past 2 years, including approval rates by program type. Turns out EDD approves about 80% of community college IT programs but only about 40% of private training schools. For anyone looking at IT training specifically, the counselor told me that programs with these characteristics almost always get approved: - Offered through accredited community colleges - Include hands-on lab components (not just lectures) - Lead to industry certifications (CompTIA, Cisco, AWS, etc.) - Are classified as "high-demand" occupations in your area - Have strong job placement rates for graduates I ended up doing a 5-month cloud computing program that included AWS certification prep, and the whole CTB approval process was pretty smooth once I had the right guidance. The key is definitely working with people who understand EDD's system rather than trying to navigate their confusing website alone. Don't give up - there are definitely pathways through this bureaucratic maze, you just need to find the right local resources to guide you!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just got laid off from my job in hospitality last month and have been completely lost trying to navigate EDD's training benefits maze. Like everyone else, I've been clicking through those same circular links for weeks with no luck finding an actual list of programs. Reading through all these responses has been a game-changer though! I had no idea that you're supposed to find a program first and THEN get CTB approval - I was doing it completely backwards. The consensus seems clear: skip EDD's useless website entirely and go straight to community colleges and America's Job Centers. I'm particularly interested in getting into cybersecurity since multiple people mentioned it has high approval rates. Coming from hospitality, I'm worried about not having technical background, but it's encouraging to see others successfully transition from completely unrelated fields. My plan based on everyone's advice: 1. Call my local community college's workforce development office tomorrow 2. Visit the America's Job Center this week 3. Ask specifically about programs with high CTB approval rates 4. Focus on full-time programs (20+ hours/week) that lead to industry certifications This thread should honestly be the first Google result for "EDD training programs" - it's infinitely more helpful than anything on their official website! Thanks everyone for sharing real, actionable experiences instead of just bureaucratic nonsense.

I went to the Santa Ana EDD office just yesterday and can confirm everything people are saying here is accurate! The new check-in process on the first floor is definitely in place - they gave me a number and I waited about 20 minutes before being called up to the 3rd floor. The staff was really helpful and professional. One thing I'd add is that they now have a digital display board that shows which numbers are being called, so you don't have to worry about missing your turn. Also, bring a pen - they don't provide them anymore and I saw several people having to ask around to borrow one. The whole process took about an hour from check-in to completion, which wasn't too bad considering how backed up everything has been lately.

I've been to this office several times over the past year for various disability-related issues, and I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help others. First, if you're driving there, I'd recommend using the Waze app because the MacArthur area can have some confusing construction detours that aren't always well-marked. Second, they have a small waiting area on the first floor with limited seating, so if you have mobility issues or expect a long wait, you might want to bring a portable chair or be prepared to stand. Third, I've noticed they tend to be less busy on Wednesdays and Thursdays compared to Mondays and Fridays. The staff really does try to help, but they're working with a system that has a lot of constraints, so patience goes a long way. Overall, despite the bureaucratic challenges, I've found the Santa Ana office to be one of the more functional EDD locations in Orange County.

I had a similar situation when I quit due to workplace harassment. Here's what I learned from my experience and research: **Regarding coworker emails:** EDD doesn't automatically forward your evidence to employers, but during their investigation they may share the general nature of your allegations. If your emails contain specific details that could only come from certain people, your employer might be able to identify who provided the information. **Better approach for coworker support:** - Ask them to write brief, factual statements on personal letterhead/paper (not company email) - Focus on specific incidents they witnessed rather than opinions - They can use first name and last initial if they're concerned about identification - Have them date and sign the statements **On Indeed reviews:** These can be useful supporting evidence showing a pattern of workplace issues, but EDD gives much more weight to your own documented experiences. Include screenshots, but don't rely on them as your primary evidence. **Strongest evidence for your case:** - Your own emails to HR documenting complaints - Any written responses from management - Medical documentation if stress affected your health - Your personal documentation with dates/times of incidents The key is proving YOU had good cause to quit based on YOUR documented experience. Good luck with your claim!

I went through a very similar situation about 8 months ago and want to share what worked for me. I was terrified about protecting my former coworkers but still needed their support for my claim. Here's what I did that was successful: - I asked 3 coworkers to write simple witness statements on plain paper (not company letterhead) - They described only what they personally observed - specific incidents, dates when possible, and factual descriptions - They signed with just their first name and last initial to provide some protection - I submitted these along with my own HR complaint emails and documentation The EDD representative I eventually spoke with told me they focus on whether YOU personally had good cause to quit. The coworker statements helped establish a pattern, but my own documented complaints to management were what really mattered. For Indeed reviews - I included a few screenshots that matched my experiences exactly, but the EDD rep said they can't verify who wrote anonymous reviews, so they're just supporting evidence at best. My claim was approved without going to appeal. The key was having my own paper trail showing I tried to address the issues through proper channels first. Focus on YOUR documented experience as your main evidence - that's what they really want to see. Hope this helps! The process is stressful but having a solid evidence strategy really makes a difference.

I'm jumping into this conversation a bit late, but wanted to share my recent experience since it might help others. I just completed my LVN program last year while on EDD benefits through CTB, and the whole process went pretty smoothly once I figured out the system. A few things that really helped me: 1. When you submit your CTB application, include a copy of your nursing program's curriculum showing total hours per week and clinical requirements. This helps EDD see exactly what your schedule looks like. 2. If you have any part-time work opportunities that fit around your class schedule, still apply for them and document those efforts. It shows you're genuinely available for suitable work. 3. Set up alerts on your UI Online account so you know immediately if EDD needs additional documentation. Response time is crucial. The biggest thing I learned is that communication with EDD is key. Don't wait if something changes with your program schedule - report it right away. I had to switch to a different clinical site mid-program and reported it immediately. No issues at all. Also, once you're in your program and approved for CTB, connect with your instructors about potential job opportunities. Many hospitals are recruiting nursing students before graduation, and having job prospects lined up actually looks good to EDD if they ever review your case. Nursing is such a rewarding career - stick with it through the EDD bureaucracy! The benefits will be worth it.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread! As someone who was completely panicked about potentially losing my EDD benefits when nursing school starts, this conversation has been incredibly reassuring and informative. I had never even heard of the CTB program before posting this question, and now I feel like I have a solid roadmap for navigating the whole process. Special thanks to the EDD case worker who provided insider tips - that retroactive approval information was exactly what I needed to hear. I'm going to start by checking if my nursing program is on the ETPL list this week, then submit my CTB application as soon as I answer "yes" to school attendance on my next certification. I'll also reach out to my school's financial aid office to see if they can help with the paperwork. It's amazing how supportive this community is - knowing that so many people have successfully gotten through this process while pursuing healthcare careers gives me so much confidence. I'll definitely update this thread once I hear back about my CTB approval in case it helps future nursing students dealing with the same situation!

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I work in HR and see these situations fairly often. The SDI route that you chose is definitely the smart move! One thing I'd recommend is also looking into whether your company offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - many do and they can provide additional mental health resources and sometimes even help navigate the leave process. Also, if your company has 50+ employees, you likely qualify for FMLA protection which means your job will be protected while you're on medical leave. This gives you peace of mind that you'll have a position to return to when you're ready. Make sure to formally request FMLA if you haven't already - it runs concurrent with SDI but provides the job protection piece.

I'm going through something very similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been dealing with severe burnout and anxiety that's affecting my work performance, and I was also considering quitting without really understanding the implications for benefits. Reading about the SDI option is eye-opening - I had no idea that was even a possibility. I'm definitely going to talk to my doctor about medical leave instead of just quitting outright. It's so reassuring to see that there are people who've successfully navigated this process. Mental health struggles are hard enough without having to worry about losing income and benefits. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice!