Can I get ESD Training Benefits after moving out of WA state?

Thanks for your quick response! That's a relief to hear. Did you have to do anything special in your application to address the out-of-state situation? Or did you just apply normally through the eServices portal?

This is extremely helpful information, thank you! Do you know if I need to select training programs specifically in Washington, or could I enroll in something local to me in Oregon? I'm looking at both online options and some in-person programs here.

You can enroll in a program in Oregon, but it must be on Washington's Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) or meet their criteria for approval. Many educational institutions in border states like Oregon are already on Washington's approved list. You can check the list on the WorkSource website. If your specific program isn't listed, you'll need to work with your career counselor to request approval for that program.

I had trouble reaching ESD too, but I used a service called Claimyr to get through to an agent quickly. It saved me hours of waiting on hold! Check out their video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 or go to claimyr.com. They connected me to an ESD agent in about 15 minutes when I needed to resolve an issue with my Training Benefits application. The agent confirmed that out-of-state residents can definitely receive TB as long as your claim is based on WA employment.

Once you're approved for Training Benefits, you're typically exempt from job search requirements as long as you're making satisfactory progress in your approved training program. However, until your TB application is approved, you must continue to conduct your 3 job search activities weekly and report them. After approval, you'll just need to certify your training participation instead of reporting job searches.

I appreciate the honest perspective. Were there specific issues with being out of state, or just general problems with the TB program? I'm still weighing my options.

The out-of-state part wasn't really the problem for me. It was more the constant verification of enrollment they required, and how slow they were to process everything. One time they missed a payment because they claimed they didn't receive my progress report, even though their system showed I uploaded it. Just lots of bureaucratic headaches.

I had the complete opposite experience! TB was amazing for me last year - covered my entire coding bootcamp and I got a job within 2 months of finishing. But I was in WA still so maybe the experience is different. For the record, you DO qualify if you're out of state but your claim is based on WA employment history. The key is getting a good career counselor at WorkSource who knows what they're doing with TB applications.

You're close! Regular UI benefits in Washington can last up to 26 weeks, while Training Benefits can extend that by up to an additional 26 weeks (for a potential total of 52 weeks), depending on your specific circumstances and training program length. This extension is one of the major advantages of the TB program for those pursuing longer educational programs.

Congrats! Let us know how it goes. I'm thinking about moving to Idaho next month but wasn't sure how it would affect my benefits.