Can I collect ESD unemployment benefits while attending college classes? Need advice ASAP

be carefull with this. i tried going to school last year during my claim and got disqualified for 3 weeks because they said i wasnt 'able and available' for work. had to appeal and everything. total nightmare

You need to apply for the Training Benefits (TB) program through ESD. If approved, you can attend school full-time while receiving unemployment. However, there are specific criteria you must meet: 1. Your occupation must be "in decline" according to ESD's determination 2. You must be training for a "high-demand" occupation 3. You must apply for Training Benefits within the first 52 weeks of your claim 4. The educational program must be on their approved list If you don't qualify for TB, you can still attend part-time as long as you remain able and available for full-time work and continue your job search activities (3 per week). You'll need to be willing to adjust your class schedule or quit school if you receive a job offer.

I went through this exact process in 2025! Got laid off from my customer service job and applied for Training Benefits to get my nursing certificate. The key is documenting EVERYTHING and being very specific about why your current career has limited prospects. When you log into your eServices account, look for the "Training Benefits" section - that's where you submit the application. I'd also recommend reaching out to the school's financial aid office, as they often have experience helping students navigate the ESD process.

Just wanted to add that if you choose the Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) route instead of Training Benefits, you don't have to do the job search activities while in school. That's what I did because my industry wasn't technically "in decline" enough for TB. The downside is you only get your regular claim weeks, no extension.

I've been trying to get through to ESD for WEEKS to ask about this exact situation, and it's impossible!!! Every time I call, it's either "high call volume" or I get disconnected after waiting for an hour. So frustrating when you need actual answers about something important like education benefits!

DO NOT listen to anyone telling you that you can just go to school without telling ESD!!! My sister did that and now she owes $7,800 in overpayments because they found out she wasn't actually available for work while attending classes. ALWAYS disclose everything!!!

I work with a workforce development program that helps people navigate training while on unemployment. Here are some additional facts that might help: 1. You must apply for Training Benefits within the first 52 weeks of your claim 2. If approved for TB, you can get up to 26 additional weeks of benefits beyond your regular UI claim 3. Part-time training doesn't require special approval as long as you maintain your job search requirements 4. For IT specifically, many programs qualify as "high-demand" in Washington state I'd recommend contacting your local WorkSource office too - they have specialists who can help you determine if your training plan will be approved before you invest time applying.

hey what happened with this? did u end up going to school? i'm thinking about it too