Can I receive EDD benefits while attending school or college classes?

ur fine just dont report the school in ur certification. EDD doesnt check that stuff anyway

Actually, you should absolutely report your school attendance. When you certify, there's a question asking if you began attending school or training. Answer YES. But here's the key - in most cases, if you remain AVAILABLE FOR WORK during your typical occupation's work hours, your benefits can continue. EDD has the California Training Benefits (CTB) program specifically for people who want to improve their skills while on unemployment. If your program qualifies, you might even be excused from the work search requirement while you attend school. I went through this last year - had to fill out a DE 1906 form and provide my course schedule. My benefits continued without interruption because I could prove I was still available for work during normal business hours.

I can confirm what @helpful_guidance said. The key factors are: 1. Your availability for work during normal working hours in your occupation 2. Whether your training enhances your employability Since your classes are evenings and you're still available during weekdays, you're likely fine. Make sure to answer the school/training question honestly during certification. If you apply for the California Training Benefits program, you'll need: - DE 1906 form - Your course schedule - Information about your program With CTB approval, you can focus on your training without the work search requirements. You can find more info here: https://edd.ca.gov/en/unemployment/California_Training_Benefits

@system_critic - I understand your frustration, but benefit delays during CTB review don't happen to everyone. It depends on various factors including how quickly EDD can verify program details. While the system isn't perfect, providing incorrect information on certifications can lead to much worse consequences, including having to repay benefits with penalties.

my neighbor went back to school for nursing while on unemployment and it was totally fine. she just had to fill out some paperwork. but yeah EDD is so random sometimes lol

I've been trying to reach EDD to ask about this exact situation for my own claim. Been calling for DAYS with no luck - always get the "we're experiencing high call volume" message. I finally used Claimyr.com to get through to an agent on my first try! They have this service that connects you to EDD when operators are available. They have a video of how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep confirmed exactly what others said here - you CAN attend school while on unemployment as long as you're available for work during normal business hours. The agent walked me through the CTB application process and it was super helpful. Saved me so much stress!

The agent told me CTB approvals typically take 2-3 weeks, but can sometimes be faster. She recommended continuing to certify normally during that time and being honest about school attendance. If your program is eligible, they'll send you a notice of approval. Just make sure to keep certifying every two weeks while you wait!

hey hope u dont mind me asking but what technical program r u going into? im thinking of doing something similar since my retail job laid me off :

Just wanted to add - when you apply for CTB, make sure your program is on their eligible training provider list (ETPL). Most community college vocational programs qualify, but it's worth checking before you start. If you're unsure, you can call EDD or check their website. Also, keep documentation of everything - your application, course schedule, any communications with EDD. It'll help if there are any questions later. Good luck with your training program! It's a smart move to use this time to build new skills.

I went through a similar situation last year when I started a welding program while on UI. The key is being completely transparent with EDD - I reported my school attendance from day one and had zero issues. My benefits continued because I was available for work during regular hours (my classes were also evenings). One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - when you fill out the DE 1906 form, be very specific about your availability. List your exact hours when you can work, not just "weekdays." For example, "Monday-Friday 8am-5pm" is better than "weekdays." This helps EDD clearly see you're still available for full-time work. The CTB program was a game changer for me - no more work search requirements meant I could focus on my studies. My approval took about 2 weeks. Now I'm working in a much better paying field thanks to that training. Don't let fear stop you from improving your situation!

This is such helpful information! I'm actually in a similar boat - got laid off from my retail management job 3 weeks ago and just found out about a digital marketing certificate program at my local community college. Reading through everyone's experiences here gives me hope that I can pursue training while still receiving benefits. @helpful_guidance and @info_seeker - thank you for sharing the specific details about the DE 1906 form and CTB program. I had no idea this existed! It sounds like the key is being completely honest about school attendance and clearly documenting your availability for work. @skilled_worker - your point about being specific with work hours on the form is really valuable. I'll make sure to list exact times rather than just saying "weekdays" if I apply. Has anyone here had experience with online/hybrid programs? My certificate program has both online coursework and some in-person labs, so I'm wondering if that affects the approval process at all.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been putting off applying to a coding bootcamp because I was terrified of losing my UI benefits. Reading everyone's experiences here is incredibly reassuring - especially knowing about the CTB program. @helpful_guidance and @info_seeker - thank you both for breaking down the process so clearly. I had no idea there was an actual program designed to help people train while on unemployment. The DE 1906 form and ETPL requirements are exactly the kind of details I needed to know. @skilled_worker - your point about being specific with work hours is so practical. I would have definitely just written "weekdays" without thinking about it. One question for anyone who's been through this - how strict is EDD about the "available for work" requirement during training? I'm looking at an intensive program (30 hours/week) but it's all online and self-paced, so I could technically work around a job schedule if I got one. Has anyone had experience with more intensive training programs? Also, does anyone know if bootcamps typically qualify for the ETPL? I know community colleges usually do, but I'm not sure about private training providers.

This is such valuable information for everyone navigating school while on UI! I'm currently in a similar situation - started a nursing prerequisite program last month while receiving benefits. I was nervous about reporting it, but after reading all these experiences, I'm so glad I was honest from the start. A couple of additional tips from my experience: - When you call EDD to discuss CTB, try calling right when they open (8am) for better chances of getting through - Keep copies of EVERYTHING - your DE 1906 submission, school enrollment verification, course schedules, etc. I organized mine in a folder and it saved me when EDD requested additional documentation - If your program has a career services department, they often have experience helping students navigate UI benefits and can provide supporting documentation @GalaxyGuardian - regarding intensive programs, I'd also suggest reaching out to your bootcamp's admissions team. Many of them are familiar with students on UI and can help you understand if they're ETPL-eligible or provide documentation to support your CTB application. The peace of mind from doing this properly is worth way more than any temporary stress about paperwork. Plus, having legitimate training goals actually strengthened my case when I had my EDD interview. Good luck to everyone pursuing education while on benefits - it's an investment in your future!

Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - just got laid off from my administrative assistant job two months ago and I've been considering going back to school for a medical coding certificate. I was so worried that enrolling would automatically disqualify me from benefits, but seeing how many people have successfully navigated this gives me confidence. The CTB program sounds like exactly what I need. I had no idea EDD had specific support for people wanting to improve their skills while unemployed. The medical coding program I'm looking at is mostly online with some weekend labs, so I'd definitely still be available during normal business hours. A few questions for those who've been through this process: - How detailed should I be about my program when I first report school attendance during certification? - Is it better to apply for CTB before starting classes or can I apply after I've already begun? - Did anyone have issues if their program wasn't traditionally "full-time" (mine is considered part-time at 15 hours/week)? Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - especially @helpful_guidance, @skilled_worker, and @Fatima Al-Farsi for the practical step-by-step advice. It's so reassuring to know others have done this successfully while being completely honest with EDD. Medical coding has such good job prospects right now, and using this unemployment period to retrain feels like the smartest move for my future!

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm in a similar situation - got laid off from my manufacturing job 8 weeks ago and just enrolled in an HVAC technician program at my community college. The classes are Tuesday/Thursday evenings (6-9pm) and Saturday mornings (8am-12pm), so I'm definitely available for full-time work during regular weekday hours. I was honestly terrified about reporting the school attendance on my certification, but after reading everyone's experiences here, I feel much more confident about being upfront with EDD. The CTB program sounds like exactly what I need - I had no idea it even existed! @helpful_guidance and @skilled_worker - thank you so much for the detailed breakdown of the DE 1906 form and the importance of being specific about work availability hours. That's exactly the kind of practical advice I needed. @Fatima Al-Farsi - your tip about calling EDD right at 8am is gold! I've been trying to reach them for weeks with no luck. The HVAC field is booming right now and this program should set me up for a much better career than my previous job. It's encouraging to see so many people successfully combining training with UI benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've all helped ease my anxiety about this process significantly!

I'm so grateful I found this thread! I was laid off from my customer service job about 5 weeks ago and have been hesitant to pursue the dental hygienist prerequisite courses I've been wanting to take. Reading through everyone's experiences has completely changed my perspective on combining education with UI benefits. The CTB program is exactly what I needed to know about - I can't believe I was considering waiting until my benefits ran out to start school! My program would be mostly weekday mornings (9am-1pm) with one evening lab per week, so I'd still have afternoons available for work and could easily adjust if I got a job offer. @helpful_guidance - thank you for the detailed explanation about the DE 1906 form and being specific about availability hours. That's incredibly helpful practical advice. @Fatima Al-Farsi - your organizational tips about keeping copies of everything are so smart. I'm definitely going to set up a folder system before I even apply. @skilled_worker @Natasha Petrova @Clay blendedgen - it's so encouraging to see people successfully navigate this in different fields! Healthcare programs tend to have good job placement rates, so this feels like the perfect time to make this career change. Has anyone had experience specifically with healthcare prerequisite courses? I'm wondering if those are typically on the ETPL or if there's anything different about how EDD handles them compared to technical certification programs.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I was laid off from my office job 3 weeks ago and have been considering a data analytics bootcamp, but I was terrified it would mess up my UI benefits. Reading everyone's experiences here gives me so much confidence. @helpful_guidance and @info_seeker - thank you for explaining the CTB program and DE 1906 form! I had absolutely no idea this existed. The fact that EDD actually has a program designed to support people getting training while on unemployment is amazing. @GalaxyGuardian @data_analyst - your discussion about intensive bootcamps was exactly what I needed to hear! My program would be 35 hours/week but it's completely online and self-paced, so I could definitely work around a job if I got an offer. Knowing that you successfully did a 25-hour program gives me hope. @Fatima Al-Farsi - your organizational tips are gold! I'm definitely setting up that documentation folder before I even start the application process. The 8am calling tip is going in my notes too. One question - has anyone dealt with programs that aren't on the ETPL? My bootcamp isn't listed, but from what I'm reading, I can still attend school while on UI even without CTB approval, I just have to maintain work search requirements. Is that correct? The career prospects in data analytics are so good right now that it feels worth it either way, but CTB would obviously be ideal! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've all made this process feel so much less scary!

I'm jumping in as someone who just went through this exact process! Got laid off from my retail management job 2 months ago and started a project management certification program while on UI. I was initially terrified about reporting it, but after reading so many horror stories online, I decided to be completely transparent with EDD from day one. Best decision I made! Not only did my benefits continue, but I got approved for the CTB program within 3 weeks. No more work search requirements meant I could focus entirely on my coursework without the stress of applying to jobs I didn't really want. A few things I learned that might help others: - The EDD rep actually seemed impressed that I was using unemployment time productively to gain new skills - Having a clear career goal and showing how the training relates to better job prospects really strengthened my case - The online format of most programs now makes it super easy to prove you're available for work during business hours To anyone still hesitating - the key is just being honest and having your documentation ready. The CTB program exists specifically to help people in situations like this. Don't let fear of the unknown keep you from investing in your future! The job market is so competitive right now that additional skills and certifications can make all the difference.

This entire thread has been a goldmine of information! I was laid off from my marketing coordinator position 4 weeks ago and have been considering a UX/UI design bootcamp, but I was absolutely paralyzed by fear of losing my benefits. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has completely shifted my perspective. @helpful_guidance @skilled_worker @Fatima Al-Farsi - thank you all for breaking down the practical steps so clearly. The DE 1906 form, CTB program, and documentation tips are exactly what I needed to know. I had no idea EDD actually had programs designed to support people upgrading their skills! @Carmen Ruiz - your recent success story is particularly encouraging! The fact that EDD viewed your training goals positively really gives me hope. It makes complete sense that they'd support people working to become more employable. My bootcamp would be evenings and weekends (20 hours/week), so I'd be fully available Monday-Friday 9-5 for work. After reading all these experiences, I'm realizing that being honest and proactive about reporting school attendance is actually the safer path than trying to hide it. The UX field has incredible job growth right now, and this unemployment period could be the perfect opportunity to make a career pivot into tech. Thanks to everyone who shared - you've given me the confidence to move forward with both my training goals AND properly managing my UI benefits!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I was laid off from my warehouse job about 7 weeks ago and have been on the fence about starting a forklift operator certification program at the local trade school. Reading through all these success stories has given me the confidence I needed to move forward. The program is only 2 evenings per week (Tuesday/Thursday 6-9pm) plus some Saturday morning sessions, so I'd still be completely available for full-time work during regular weekday hours. After seeing how many people have successfully navigated this process by being upfront with EDD, I'm definitely going to report it honestly on my certification and look into the CTB program. @helpful_guidance @skilled_worker - thank you for the detailed breakdown of the DE 1906 form and the importance of being specific about work availability. That practical advice is exactly what I needed! @Carmen Ruiz @Connor Byrne - your recent experiences are so encouraging! It's reassuring to know that EDD actually views training goals positively rather than as something suspicious. The logistics/warehousing industry has tons of opportunities right now, and having forklift certification could really open doors to better-paying positions. Using this unemployment time to get certified feels like the smartest investment I could make in my future. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community has been incredibly helpful!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I was laid off from my restaurant management job 5 weeks ago and have been considering a culinary arts program at the community college. I was completely terrified that enrolling would jeopardize my UI benefits, but reading through everyone's detailed experiences has given me so much clarity and confidence. @helpful_guidance @skilled_worker @Fatima Al-Farsi - the breakdown of the CTB program and DE 1906 form requirements is exactly what I needed! I had no clue EDD had specific programs to support people upgrading their skills during unemployment. The tip about being very specific with availability hours rather than just saying "weekdays" is gold. @Carmen Ruiz @Connor Byrne @Ashley Simian - your recent success stories are so encouraging! It's amazing that EDD actually views proactive skill-building positively rather than as something problematic. My program would be Monday/Wednesday mornings (9am-2pm) with some weekend lab sessions, leaving me available Tuesday/Thursday/Friday for full-time work. After reading all these experiences, I'm realizing that being completely transparent from day one is clearly the winning approach. The restaurant industry is slowly recovering and having formal culinary training could really set me apart from other candidates. Plus many culinary programs lead directly to job placement opportunities. Thanks to this entire community for sharing such detailed, practical advice - you've transformed my understanding of what's possible while on unemployment benefits!