Can my son keep EDD benefits while getting paid at truck driving school?

I went through something similar last year when I was on unemployment and joined a paid apprenticeship program. You need to report ANY income on your bi-weekly certification, including training stipends. Your son will likely still get partial unemployment depending on how much the stipend is - EDD reduces benefits by about 75% of what he earns. But he MUST report it or he'll definitely face overpayment issues later. Before he enrolls, he should also look into the California Training Benefits (CTB) program through EDD. If his truck driving school qualifies and he gets approved, he can actually train without having to look for work during that period. The process involves submitting a training enrollment form to EDD. I struggled for weeks trying to reach someone at EDD to help with my CTB application until I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected with an EDD rep in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Good luck to your son - trucking is a solid career move!

stipends still count as income so he has to report it when he certifies every 2 weeks. ive been on unemployment 3 times and they always catch unreported income eventually.

The previous responses are correct about reporting income, but there's an important distinction your son needs to be aware of. When he certifies for benefits, he must answer the question about whether he is "available for work" truthfully. If the truck driving program prevents him from accepting full-time work (which most intensive CDL programs do), he would technically not be "available for work" and could be disqualified. This is precisely why the California Training Benefits (CTB) program exists - it creates an exception to the "available for work" requirement for approved training programs. Your son NEEDS to apply for CTB approval as soon as possible, ideally before starting the program. The application process can be found on the EDD website under "Training Benefits" and usually requires: 1. DE 3100 form submission 2. Proof of enrollment in the training program 3. Training program curriculum details Many truck driving schools are CTB-eligible, but not all. He should ask the school directly if they're approved for EDD training benefits.

My cousin did truck driving school last year while on EDD and it was a NIGHTMARE!!! They ended up saying he wasnt available for work and had to pay back $4200!!! The school told him it was fine but EDD said different. BE CAREFUL!!!!

Wait im confused about something...does the truck driving school count as a job or as school? cuz if its a job then he has to look for other work too right? the whole EDD system makes no sense sometimes tbh

I'm an employment counselor, and I want to clarify some points: 1. Truck driving programs that pay stipends create a unique situation - the stipend must be reported as income during bi-weekly certification. 2. Without California Training Benefits approval, your son would need to: - Report the stipend income - Be available for full-time work - Actively seek work each week - Accept suitable work if offered 3. With CTB approval, your son would: - Still report the stipend income - Be exempt from work search requirements - Be able to focus on completing the training 4. CTB approval is not automatic - it requires application and review by EDD. 5. The stipend will likely reduce his weekly benefit amount based on EDD's partial benefit calculation formula. I strongly recommend he contact the truck driving school to ask specifically if they're an EDD-approved training provider, as this makes the CTB application process much smoother.

Yes, he should continue certifying every two weeks even if his benefit amount is reduced to $0 due to the stipend. This maintains his claim as active and preserves his potential remaining benefit balance for weeks when his income might be lower or after training ends. Failing to certify for more than two weeks can result in having to reopen the claim, which creates delays. Also important: make sure he understands that any work or training schedule must be reported accurately when certifying. Questions about hours worked, days worked, and availability must be answered truthfully to avoid potential penalties or disqualification.

i did a certified nursing program while on unemployment last year and got the CTB approval. it was TOTALLY worth going through the extra paperwork! one tip - save copies of EVERYTHING you submit to EDD. i had to resubmit my forms twice because they "lost" them the first time. so frustrating. but once approved, it was smooth sailing. made my career change possible!

Reaching EDD was literally the worst part! I called for 3 weeks straight and couldn't get through. The "all representatives are busy" message drove me CRAZY. Finally used Claimyr which got me through to someone who actually helped fix my CTB application issues. Worth every penny not to spend weeks hitting redial on my phone!

does anyone know how long the CTB application takes to get approved? my friend is thinking about doing something similar

Update: I talked to my son about all your advice, and he called the truck driving school to ask about CTB. Good news - they ARE an EDD-approved training provider! They even have staff who help students with the CTB application process. He has an appointment next week to get everything submitted before the program starts. Thank you all so much for your help - this community is amazing!

That's awesome to hear! Having the school help with the CTB application makes such a huge difference. I wish more training providers were that proactive about helping students navigate the EDD process. Your son is really lucky to have found a program that's both EDD-approved AND supportive with the paperwork. The trucking industry needs good drivers, and it sounds like he's setting himself up for success the right way. Keep us posted on how the training goes!

This is such a helpful thread! As someone who's been through the EDD system myself, I can't stress enough how important it is to get everything documented properly upfront. Your son is so smart to ask these questions before starting the program. One thing I'd add that I learned the hard way - when he does his bi-weekly certifications, make sure he's super specific about reporting the training stipend. Don't just put "yes" to working - actually enter the exact hours and dollar amount. EDD's system can flag inconsistencies if the reporting isn't precise. Also, even with CTB approval, keep copies of all his certification submissions. I had an issue months later where EDD questioned some of my earlier certifications, and having those records saved me from a major headache. Sounds like he's found a great school that actually knows how to work with EDD - that's honestly half the battle right there!