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'm dealing with this exact same frustration! Just lost my job in logistics last week and I've been going in circles on EDD's website for days trying to find this mythical "approved programs list." It's like they designed their website specifically to confuse people! After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm convinced the real strategy is bypassing EDD's website entirely and going straight to the sources that actually know what works. The fact that workforce counselors have their own tracking spreadsheets with approval rates is both helpful and infuriating - why can't EDD just publish this information publicly? I'm really interested in the IT transition path since I have strong logistics/supply chain experience that might translate well to systems administration or database management. Has anyone had success with getting database or systems admin programs approved? Those seem like they'd be considered "high-demand" but I haven't seen them mentioned as much as cybersecurity and networking. Planning to call my local community college first thing Monday and ask specifically for their workforce education coordinator (great tip from everyone here!). Also going to visit the America's Job Center with a copy of my unemployment claim like Omar suggested. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - you all have turned a completely overwhelming process into something that actually feels manageable. Sometimes the community really does know better than the official resources!

my sister works at a bank and she says ACH transfers always take 2-3 business days no matter what anyone tells you. edd processes the payment but then it has to go thru the federal reserve and then to money network. the money isnt actually moving instantly its just computer entries.

I had the exact same situation happen to me back in December! Payment showed processed on a Tuesday afternoon and I was panicking because I needed it for bills. It ended up hitting my Money Network card Thursday morning - so about 36 hours later. The waiting is definitely stressful, especially when you have rent due. One thing that helped me was setting up the Money Network mobile app notifications so I'd get an alert as soon as any deposit came through. Also, if you're really tight on the timing for rent, some landlords will accept a screenshot of the "processed" payment from UI Online as proof that it's coming - mine did when I explained the delay. Hang in there, it should show up by Thursday!

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'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!

This thread has been so valuable to read through! I'm currently dealing with workplace-related anxiety that's been escalating for months, and like many others here, I was only considering the quit-and-apply-for-unemployment route. The SDI information completely changed my perspective - I had no idea medical leave was an option for mental health conditions. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen mentioned: has anyone here had experience with partial disability through SDI? My therapist thinks I might benefit from reduced hours rather than complete time off, but I'm not sure if that's something SDI covers or if it's all-or-nothing. Also really appreciate the HR perspective from @Emma Wilson about EAP programs - I just checked and my company does offer one. Sometimes the resources are right there but we don't know to look for them when we're struggling. Thanks everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion!

Welcome to the community, Amara! I've been reading through this thread and it's amazing to see how many people have shared their experiences to help you out. I went through something very similar about 18 months ago when I started working part-time at a small tech startup while still on partial unemployment benefits. I can add my voice to the chorus confirming that EDD does NOT automatically notify your new employer about your claim status. I worked part-time for almost a year while collecting partial benefits, and my employer never received any communication from EDD about my unemployment claim. The privacy protections are actually pretty strong on this. Since you're working 25 hours/week, you'll likely still qualify for partial benefits assuming your weekly earnings are below your weekly benefit amount. Just remember: - Report gross earnings (before taxes) when you certify - Report based on the week you actually work, not when you get paid - Keep detailed records (I used a simple Google Sheet that I'd update weekly) Given that you've already been through the penalty weeks situation, you clearly understand the importance of accurate reporting now. That experience, while stressful, has probably made you more conscientious about following the rules than most people would be naturally. You're absolutely doing the right thing by being proactive about understanding the requirements. Focus on excelling at your new job - that's the most important thing right now. The EDD reporting will become routine once you get into the habit. Congratulations on landing the position, and don't let the unemployment bureaucracy stress overshadow what should be an exciting new opportunity!

Hey Amara! I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been working part-time while on partial unemployment for about 9 months now. I can absolutely confirm what everyone else has been saying - EDD does NOT automatically notify your new employer about your unemployment claim status. I work at a small family-owned restaurant and my boss has never mentioned receiving any communication from EDD. A few things that have really helped me stay organized: - I set a weekly phone reminder to update a simple spreadsheet with my hours and gross wages - I always report based on the week I actually worked, not when I got paid - I keep screenshots of my online certifications just in case I ever need to reference them later Since you're working 25 hours/week, you'll probably still qualify for partial benefits as long as your weekly earnings are under your benefit amount. The reduction is typically around 75% of your gross pay, but you'll still get something which definitely helps! The penalty weeks experience you went through actually puts you ahead of most people - you now understand how critical accurate reporting is, so you're going to be extra careful about doing everything right. That's honestly a good thing even though it was stressful at the time. You have absolutely no obligation to tell your new employer about your unemployment situation. That's completely private information and totally your choice whether to share it or not. Congratulations on landing the new job! Focus on doing awesome work there and don't let the EDD stuff stress you out. You've got all the knowledge you need to handle it properly. This is such a positive step forward - you should be proud!