To directly address your questions: 1. Your husband must report the orientation day as work. Training is considered employment. 2. He must report based on when work is performed, not when payment is received. Here's how to handle the reporting properly: - For the week with just orientation, report the exact hours worked that day and expected earnings (even if estimated) - For subsequent weeks, report all hours worked each day, even before receiving his first paycheck - If his gross earnings for any week exceed his weekly benefit amount, he won't receive benefits for that week - Continue filing claims until he's consistently working full-time - After 4 consecutive weeks of full-time work (or 2 weeks of no benefits due to earnings), his claim will become inactive This is the safest approach to avoid overpayment issues. The ESD system tracks by work performed, not by pay received.

This happened to me last year and I was so confused about whether to report the training week!!! I reported the training and then kept claiming for 2 more weeks until my first paycheck came through. ESD actually adjusted my benefits automatically - I got partial unemployment for the week with training (just a few hours) and then no benefits for the full-time weeks. The system works pretty well when you report everything correctly!

If you're still waiting, try calling ESD early in the morning right when they open (usually 8am). I've had the best luck getting through around 8:05-8:15am. Later in the day it's almost impossible. Sometimes an adjudicator can look at your case while you're on the phone if you get the right person. Worth a shot!

Thanks for the tip! I'll try calling right at 8am tomorrow. Did you just call the main ESD number or is there a specific line for adjudication issues?

when i was on unemployment last year i had this same question! i ended up just downloading the payment history and making my own spreadsheet to keep track of everything because the esd website is so confusing. helped me catch when they underpaid me one week too!

my sister just went thru this. she thought she was gettin $844 but was only gettin like $720 something. she called and they said its bcuz she owes child support LOL she was so mad

Not to change the subject but you mentioned applying for 12 jobs last week - make sure you're documenting those correctly in your job search log! I got approved after governor intervention but then had payment held again because my job search activities weren't properly documented. ESD is really picky about the details you include for each application.

Just checking in - any updates on your claim? Has the status changed yet?

When I was getting unemployment my brother was getting married and I had to go to california for the wedding but I was worried about answering the able and available question that week and if I would get in trouble for being out of state briefly but my claim was fine and nothing bad happened. Sorry this isnt about training but similar worry I guess

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I feel much better about this now. I'll continue to mark "no" for that question since these are just short professional development courses and not a formal training program. I'll still be fully available for dispatches, which seems to be the key factor. Really appreciate all the advice!