EDD Training Benefits process for laid-off recruiters - need approval help

yeah my brother did smthing like this after he got laid off from his warehouse job. said it extended his benefits for like 26 more weeks while he did some IT program. not sure if its the same thing ur talking about tho. good luck!!

Thanks! Was your brother's program fully covered by EDD or did he have to pay some out of pocket? I'm really hoping mine qualifies for the full amount.

The program you're looking at is the California Training Benefits (CTB) program, which is different from a grant program. CTB allows you to collect regular UI benefits while attending approved training, and potentially extends those benefits through the Training Extension (TE) program.\n\nA few important things you should know:\n\n1) You need to submit the DE 8736 form for CTB approval BEFORE starting your training\n2) The training must be for an in-demand occupation in your local labor market\n3) Not all courses qualify - they must be through approved providers\n4) The extension can add up to 26 additional weeks of benefits\n\nYour update mentions applying for a grant program at the EDD office - this might be either the CTB program or a separate Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant. WIOA can actually help pay for your training costs while CTB just lets you keep collecting benefits during training.\n\nGlad you got help at the office! The caseworker will walk you through exactly which program you qualified for during your intake.

Thank you so much for this detailed explanation! This makes way more sense now. I'm pretty sure the staff was talking about WIOA funding for the course tuition. I'll definitely clarify with the caseworker which program I'm actually in during the intake appointment.

I completed a CTB-approved program last year to transition from retail management to bookkeeping. Here's what to expect:\n\n- The caseworker will evaluate if your training aligns with in-demand jobs in your area (UI/UX definitely should)\n- They'll want to see that you're actually committed to the career change\n- There's a separate approval process for the tuition funding vs. extending your UI benefits\n- Keep certifying for regular benefits while waiting for program approval\n\nMake sure you bring your resume, layoff documentation, and course details to your intake appointment. The funding can take 2-3 weeks to be approved after your intake, so plan accordingly.\n\nBest decision I ever made was using my unemployment period to retrain. My new job pays $9/hr more than my old retail position.

This is completely wrong! I tried doing exactly this in 2023 and they denied me because recruiters arent eligible for the program!!! The trainer has to be on there approved list and it HAS to be for jobs that are \

I'm sorry you had a negative experience, but my information is accurate based on my personal experience. The funding amounts vary by county and by program - WIOA grants can definitely exceed $1500 in many areas. And yes, the training must be for in-demand occupations, which I mentioned. UI/UX design is currently on California's in-demand occupation list for most counties, which is why I said it should qualify.

Has anyone tried calling EDD to follow up on their CTB application status? I've been waiting for approval for almost three weeks now. Every time I call I just get the \

I had the same problem but found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. I used it when my CTB application seemed to vanish into thin air after waiting 2 weeks. Turns out they were missing a document but never notified me. The rep fixed it while I was on the phone and I got approved the next day. Video of how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km and their site is claimyr.com. Way better than calling hundreds of times yourself.

OMG THANK YOU!!! Gonna try this right now. I'm going crazy trying to reach someone about my application!

be careful with these programs... my friend did one and then they said she wasnt eligiible AFTER she already started the course and she had to pay back like 2 months of benefits. total nightmare. make sure u get everything in writing before u sign up for any courses. edd is so disorganized

That's really concerning. Did your friend submit the DE 8736 form before starting classes? I'm definitely going to wait for official written approval before enrolling in anything. I can't afford to have to pay back benefits.

not sure what form she did tbh. she thought everything was approved but edd said later she didnt qualify for some reason. just be careful.

Since you've already applied in person, here's what happens next:\n\n1) After your intake appointment, a determination will be made regarding your CTB eligibility\n\n2) If approved for CTB, you'll receive a notice confirming you can continue receiving benefits while in training\n\n3) Separately, they'll determine if you qualify for WIOA funding for the course tuition\n\n4) Continue certifying for benefits every two weeks during this process\n\n5) If approved for funding, they typically pay the training provider directly\n\nAlso, make sure your training provider is on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) for California. You can search it here: https://www.caljobs.ca.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx (click on Education Services → Training Providers)\n\nRegarding your career change from recruiting to UI/UX, that's a smart pivot. There's significant skill overlap in understanding user needs and communication, which should help your case with the career counselor.

This is incredibly helpful! I just checked and the program I want is indeed on the ETPL list. That makes me much more optimistic about approval. I'm really excited about the potential career change - hoping the transferable skills will make the transition smoother.

wait do u still have to do the job search thing while ur in the training program? like entering all those job applications every week?

No, that's one of the big benefits of the CTB program. Once you're approved, you're exempt from the job search requirements while completing your training. You'll still need to certify every two weeks, but you'll answer \

nice thats way better than i thought!

I DID THIS PROGRAM LAST YEAR AND IT WAS A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME!!! The \

I'm sorry you had a negative experience. Which specific program did you take? The one I'm looking at has really good industry reviews and job placement rates, so I'm hoping it's better quality than what you experienced.

Some digital marketing certification thing through a community college. Maybe yours is better but just don't get your hopes up about EDD actually helping with job placement after.

The quality of training programs varies significantly. It's always worth researching the specific provider - check graduation rates, job placement statistics, and reviews from former students. Community college programs can be hit or miss, while programs specifically designed for career changers often have better outcomes.

Anyone know if we can do online training programs or does it have to be in-person? I'm in a rural area and don't have many local options.

Yes, online programs can qualify for CTB approval as long as they're on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL). In fact, for rural areas, they often more readily approve online training since local options are limited. Just make sure the program is self-paced or has scheduled classes - it needs to be structured training, not just casual learning.

Great, thanks for the info!