EDD eligibility while in CTB nursing program - confused about application process

u can apply for CTB but u need to b approved first. not automatic. u have to already qualify for regular UI benefits before CTB even comes into play. were u working before nursing school?

The California Training Benefits (CTB) program allows people to attend school or training while receiving unemployment benefits, but there's a specific process to follow: 1. First, you must qualify for regular UI benefits (meaning you were laid off or had hours reduced through no fault of your own) 2. Apply for regular unemployment through UI Online 3. During your application or after approval, submit the CTB training enrollment information 4. Your nursing program must be on the approved training list (most accredited nursing programs are) 5. If approved for CTB, you'll be exempt from having to look for work while you complete your training The biggest misconception is that CTB is a separate benefit - it's not. It's a special status that allows you to collect regular UI while in approved training without having to look for work.

I wasted TWO MONTHS thinking I could get benefits when I started my vocational program!!! If you QUIT your job to go to school you are NOT ELIGIBLE for regular UI in most cases!!! You have to be laid off or have your hours reduced involuntarily. The EDD website is SO MISLEADING about this. I had to appeal and went through a whole eligibility interview just to be denied. Just warning you before you waste time filling out all those forms.

Based on what you've shared, I'm concerned you might have a problem with eligibility. Since you voluntarily quit your job to attend school, that typically disqualifies you from regular UI benefits, which means CTB wouldn't apply either. However, there are exceptions: 1. If your employer reduced your hours to a point where you couldn't maintain both work and school 2. If you can prove you had no reasonable alternative but to quit 3. If your employer was unwilling to accommodate your school schedule despite reasonable requests Do any of these situations apply to you? If so, you should still apply, but be prepared to provide documentation during the eligibility interview that will likely follow.

I was in almost the EXACT same situation last year with my LVN program! I was working at a doctor's office and they wouldn't adjust my schedule for clinical rotations. I applied for UI and got denied initially, but I appealed and explained that I had tried to keep working but my employer refused reasonable accommodation for my education. After a phone interview with EDD, they reversed the decision and approved me! Then I applied for CTB status after that. Honestly though, dealing with EDD was a nightmare. I called for WEEKS trying to get someone on the phone for my appeal and kept getting the "too many callers" message. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that shows how it works. It was super helpful for getting my appeal processed and my CTB status approved.

@user6 Yes, they did! I provided emails between me and my supervisor where I requested the schedule change and was denied. I also had my program director write a letter explaining that clinical rotations were mandatory and the hours couldn't be changed. The EDD agent told me that documentation was what made the difference in my appeal.

lol good luck getting any money from edd while in school. theyve been cracking down on claims lately. better to just focus on finishing ur program fast and getting back to work imo

To summarize what everyone has shared: 1. Apply for regular UI first (through UI Online) 2. Be prepared to explain why your job separation should qualify (employer's unwillingness to accommodate your school schedule) 3. Gather documentation proving you tried to keep working (emails, texts requesting schedule changes) 4. If approved for regular UI, then apply for CTB status 5. Be ready for an eligibility interview about your job separation I'd suggest applying soon, as there's a limited timeframe after job separation to file for benefits. Even if you're initially denied, you can appeal the decision like the other nursing student mentioned.