Can you collect unemployment while going to school in Washington state?

That makes sense. So as long as I take evening or online classes I should be okay? And I still need to apply for jobs every week?

Exactly. Evening and online classes are usually fine. You still need to do your job search activities - I think it's 3 per week for most people unless you're in a training program.

That's a relief! I was planning on just taking 2 classes so that should be part-time. Do I need to report my school enrollment to Washington ESD?

Yes, you should definitely report it when you file your weekly claims. Be honest about your availability and make sure you can still accept work if offered.

Thanks! So like if I take evening classes that would probably be okay? I'm looking at community college programs that have flexible scheduling.

Evening or weekend classes are usually fine. Just make sure you can still accept a job if one is offered to you during normal business hours.

Good to know it's working for you! Did Washington ESD ask for any documentation about your class schedule when you started?

nope they never asked for anything. i just keep doing my job searches and filing every week like normal

How did you prove you were job searching? Did they ask for documentation?

I kept a detailed job search log and applied to positions that would work around my class schedule. Never had any issues with my weekly claims.

Oh wow, I hadn't heard of that! How do you apply for Commissioner Approved Training? Is it hard to get approved?

You have to work with your local WorkSource office to apply. They evaluate whether your training program meets the requirements. It's competitive but worth trying if you qualify.

I tried to get approved for that last year and got rejected. They said my program wasn't in high enough demand even though it was medical assistant training. The process took forever too.

Did you have any problems with Washington ESD questioning your availability?

They asked me about it once during a phone interview but since I could show I was still actively looking for work and available during business hours, it wasn't an issue.

How did you handle the job search requirement while in school? Was it hard to balance both?

That's scary! What exactly did they do wrong? I want to make sure I don't make the same mistake.

They were taking a full course load during daytime hours but still claiming they were available for full-time work Monday through Friday. When ESD investigated, they found out the person couldn't actually accept a job because of their class schedule.

This is why I used Claimyr to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD before I started school. I was getting conflicting information online and wanted to speak to an actual agent who could look at my specific situation. The service got me through to someone in like 10 minutes instead of spending hours trying to call. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.

That's why it's important to choose evening or online classes if possible. Gives you more flexibility for job interviews and work schedules.

Good point. I was looking at evening classes anyway since they fit better with my schedule.

That's exactly what I'm worried about! Did your friend appeal the decision?

Yeah they appealed but it took months to resolve. Honestly trying to get through to Washington ESD on the phone is a nightmare - I've heard about people using claimyr.com to help get through to an actual agent. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

So if I take all evening classes from 6-9pm, and I'm available for work during the day, that should be fine right?

That sounds like it would meet the availability requirement, yes. Just make sure your job search efforts are genuine and you're actually applying for jobs that fit your availability.

Oh interesting, I didn't know services like that existed. Is it legitimate?

Yeah it's legit. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked. Saved me hours of trying to call Washington ESD directly.

I might have to try that. I've been trying to reach someone at Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status.

I know it's frustrating. The rules are actually pretty clear once you understand them, but Washington ESD's website doesn't explain them in a user-friendly way.

Tell me about it. I spent 3 hours on hold yesterday trying to get through to ask about this exact question and never got to talk to anyone.

I've never heard of that! How do I find out if my program qualifies?

You can check on the Washington ESD website or call them. The program has specific requirements about the type of training and how it relates to your work history.

This is really helpful info. I'm in a similar situation and had no idea about the Training Benefits Program.

What counts as 'suitable work' though? Can they make you take any job even if it doesn't relate to your field or education goals?

Generally suitable work means jobs that pay at least 80% of your previous wage and match your skills/experience. They can't force you to take just anything, but you can't be too picky either.

That's really helpful to hear from someone who actually did it successfully. Did you end up finding a job in your field after finishing school?

Yes! The combination of having unemployment support while going to school really helped. I was able to focus on my studies without stressing about money, and I found a job in my new field about a month after graduating.

Same here! I sit on hold for hours and then get disconnected. It's so frustrating when you just need a simple answer.

I actually used a service called Claimyr recently that helped me get through to Washington ESD. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much time and frustration.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How does it work exactly?

It basically calls Washington ESD for you and navigates the phone system until it gets you connected to an actual person. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Have you had any issues with Washington ESD questioning your enrollment?

Nope, been doing it for 4 months now. As long as you're truthful and still actively job searching, they don't seem to care.

That might have been because she wasn't available for work due to her class schedule, or maybe she was getting financial aid that affected her eligibility. Being a student by itself doesn't disqualify you.

oh that makes sense. she was doing a nursing program which is pretty intensive during the day

How would they find out if you didn't tell them?

They have ways of cross-referencing information. Plus if you get audited later and they discover you were in school without reporting it, you could face overpayment penalties.

Online classes sound like a good option for maintaining availability. Are you doing them through a Washington state school?

Yeah, through one of the community colleges. They have a lot of options for working adults which works well with the unemployment requirements.

I was wondering about that. I might be eligible for some Pell grants. Do I need to report financial aid on my weekly claims?

You should report it if it's substantial. Small amounts usually don't matter but if you're getting enough to live on, that could affect your benefits.

Good point about reporting changes. I definitely don't want to get in trouble for not disclosing something.

Exactly. Honesty is always the best policy with Washington ESD claims. They can find out about unreported changes and that leads to overpayment issues.

Good point about online classes. That would give me the most flexibility for sure.

HVAC training would likely qualify for the Training Benefits Program I mentioned earlier. That type of vocational training is exactly what the program is designed for.

That's great to hear! I'll definitely look into that program.

Really? I hadn't heard of that. Do you know how to apply for it?

You'd have to contact Washington ESD directly to see if you qualify. It's for specific training programs that lead to in-demand jobs.

I think that program has limited funding and long waiting lists. Regular unemployment while in school might be easier.

That's a really good point I hadn't thought about. So I'd still need to apply for and accept retail jobs if they're offered, even while I'm studying for a different career?

Exactly. Until you complete your training and have experience in your new field, your 'suitable work' is still based on your previous work history.

I keep seeing people mention Claimyr. Is it legit? I'm always suspicious of services that claim to help with government stuff.

yeah it's totally legit. they don't ask for any personal info or anything sketchy. just helps you get through the phone queue faster. saved me so much frustration.

Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. I feel much more confident about moving forward with school now.

Good luck with your classes and job search! It's actually a great time to upgrade your skills while looking for work.

What happened exactly? Did Washington ESD question your availability?

yeah they said i wasnt available for full time work because of my class schedule. had to drop a class to keep getting benefits

How much does it cost though? I'm on unemployment so money is tight.

It's not free but honestly the time savings made it worth it for me. Better than wasting entire days trying to get through to Washington ESD.

That's a good point. I should probably focus my job search on part-time positions that would complement my studies.

Retail and food service are usually pretty flexible with student schedules. Plus you already have retail experience.

I'll definitely look into work-study options. That could be perfect - work and school in one place.

Work-study pays pretty well too, usually above minimum wage. And they're understanding about exam schedules and stuff.

I know it's frustrating but from what I've seen in this thread, the answer seems pretty clear - you can collect benefits while in school as long as you're still available for work.

But what does 'available for work' even mean exactly? It's all so vague and subjective.

Good advice! I'll make sure to be thorough when I fill out my weekly claims.

Yeah transparency is key with Washington ESD. They don't like surprises or finding out about stuff later.

I was considering online classes actually. Do you think Washington ESD would view those differently than in-person classes?

I don't think they care about the format as much as whether you're available for work. Online classes might actually be better since you can do coursework around job interviews.

That's excellent advice. I'll start a folder with all my documentation right away.

Screenshots of your online job applications, copies of your school schedule, everything. Better to have too much documentation than not enough.

Wow, that sounds scary. How did they find out you were in school?

Never found out exactly how, but during an audit they had records of my enrollment. Could have been a random cross-check with education databases or something.

Thanks for the recommendation! Several people have mentioned Claimyr now so it must be pretty good.

I'm definitely going to try it. I've been calling Washington ESD for days with no luck.

Glad it helped you too! I feel so much better about my situation now.

Same here. The key seems to be transparency and making sure school doesn't interfere with work availability.

Oh no, I was planning to take out some loans to help with expenses. How much would affect my benefits?

I'm not sure of the exact thresholds, but if the loan money is intended to cover your living expenses while you're not working, ESD might reduce your benefits. You'd need to ask them directly about your specific situation.

That's encouraging! What field are you studying? And have you had any close calls with availability issues?

Studying IT. I scheduled all my classes for evenings and weekends specifically to avoid availability conflicts. Haven't had any issues because I made sure my schedule works for both school and potential jobs.

Do you know how long the approval process took for your cousin?

I think it was about 6-8 weeks from when she applied to when she got approved. She had to provide a lot of documentation about the program and job prospects in the field.

Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I think I'm going to look into evening classes and maybe also apply for the Commissioner Approved Training program just in case.

Good plan! And if you need to talk to Washington ESD to clarify anything specific to your situation, definitely consider using Claimyr to get through faster. Talking to an actual agent can clear up a lot of confusion.

Oh wow, I didn't think about internships. My program might have a practicum requirement later on.

Yeah definitely check on that before you commit to anything. Washington ESD was pretty strict about it in my case.

That's an option but I'd rather start school sooner if possible. The sooner I get my degree the sooner I can get a better job.

I understand wanting to start right away. Just make sure you understand all the rules so you don't jeopardize your benefits.

The type of school doesn't matter as much as your availability for work and whether you're meeting the job search requirements. Trade schools might actually be more compatible since they often have flexible scheduling.

That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying!

That's reassuring to hear from someone who sees this regularly. Any other advice for students in this situation?

Just be upfront with Washington ESD about your school plans and make sure you understand what constitutes being 'available for work' in their eyes.

That's exactly what I did! Online certifications are great because they don't interfere with your availability and they can help you get better jobs.

Perfect! Were there any issues with Washington ESD about it?

None at all. As long as you're still doing your job search activities and available for work, they don't care what you do with your free time.

Good advice. I already keep track of my job search activities but I'll make sure to document my school schedule too.

Documentation is crucial. Keep your class schedules, transcripts, anything that shows you were balancing school with being available for work.

That's what happened to my friend I mentioned earlier. The appeal process is long and complicated but they eventually got their benefits restored.

How long did the appeal take?

About 4 months total. Really stressful time for them financially.

Yeah that seems to be the consensus. I think I'll start with just one or two evening classes and see how it goes.

That sounds like a smart approach. You can always add more classes later once you see how Washington ESD responds.

Right, I'm already registered with WorkSource. Just need to keep up with the job search requirements.

And make sure you're applying for jobs that you could actually accept given your school schedule. Washington ESD can check up on that.

A couple people have mentioned that service. Might be worth trying if I need to talk to someone at Washington ESD directly about my school plans.

I was skeptical about services like that but honestly anything is better than the regular Washington ESD phone system. It's basically impossible to get through.

Same here! I feel much more confident about pursuing school while on unemployment now.

Glad we could help. Just remember to always be honest with Washington ESD and keep good records of everything.

That's really helpful to hear from someone who actually spoke to Washington ESD directly about this! I've been worried about the evening class schedule but it sounds like they're pretty reasonable about it. Did they mention anything about how many hours per week of classes would be considered problematic? I'm looking at maybe 6-9 hours per week of evening classes and want to make sure that won't raise any red flags.

That's exactly the kind of direct information I was hoping to get! 6-9 hours per week in evening classes sounds very reasonable. I'm planning a similar schedule and was worried Washington ESD might see any school enrollment as problematic, but it sounds like they're focused on actual availability conflicts rather than just being enrolled. Did the agent mention anything about reporting the school enrollment on your weekly claims, or any specific documentation they might want to see about your class schedule?

This is really encouraging! I was getting stressed about potentially losing my benefits but it sounds like Washington ESD is pretty reasonable about evening classes. Did you have to provide them with your class schedule or any documentation when you called, or was it more of a general inquiry? I'm planning to enroll in a community college program next month and want to make sure I handle everything properly from the start.

This is exactly what I needed to hear! I was so nervous about potentially jeopardizing my benefits, but hearing that you spoke directly to Washington ESD and got confirmation makes me feel much better. I'm planning to take 2-3 evening classes starting next semester - probably around 6-8 hours per week total. It sounds like as long as I can still accept work during normal business hours and keep up with my job search requirements, I should be fine. Did the agent mention anything about needing to update your claim when you start classes, or do you just answer honestly on the weekly questions about availability?

This is super reassuring to hear! I've been going back and forth about whether to enroll in school while on unemployment, but getting confirmation directly from Washington ESD makes all the difference. The 8am-5pm availability requirement makes total sense - as long as you can work during normal business hours, evening classes shouldn't be an issue. I'm actually looking at a similar setup with evening classes at my local community college. Did the agent mention anything about online vs in-person classes, or does the format not matter as much as the timing? Thanks for sharing this info - it's exactly what I needed to hear!

This is really great information - thank you for actually calling and getting confirmation! I was getting so many mixed messages from different sources, but hearing directly from a Washington ESD agent that evening classes are fine really puts my mind at ease. I'm planning to start with just two evening classes (probably 6 hours per week) at my local community college for an associate degree program. It's good to know they focus on the 8am-5pm availability window rather than just blanket restrictions on any school enrollment. Did you have to wait long to get through to someone when you called, or did you use one of those callback services people have mentioned? I've been dreading trying to reach them directly but it sounds like it was worth the effort to get this clarification.

This is incredibly helpful - thank you so much for sharing your direct experience with Washington ESD! I've been reading through this whole thread trying to figure out if I could safely enroll in school while collecting benefits, and your firsthand account from actually speaking to an agent is exactly what I needed. The fact that they specifically said evening and weekend classes don't usually cause availability issues is such a relief. I was planning to take some business classes in the evenings to work toward my associate degree, and now I feel confident moving forward. Did the agent mention anything about how to handle the weekly claim questions when you're enrolled in school? I want to make sure I'm answering everything correctly from the start. Thanks again for taking the initiative to call them directly - it really helps the rest of us who are in similar situations!

This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been so stressed about potentially losing my benefits if I enroll in school, but getting direct confirmation from Washington ESD makes all the difference. I'm in the exact same situation as the original poster - got laid off from retail and want to get my associate degree. Hearing that evening classes are specifically okay as long as you maintain 8am-5pm availability is huge. I was already leaning toward evening classes since they fit better with job searching during the day anyway. Did the agent give you any specific advice about how to document your availability or class schedule in case they ever audit your claim? I want to make sure I'm keeping the right records from the start. Thanks so much for actually calling them - this kind of official guidance is so much more reliable than trying to guess from the website!

This is incredibly helpful information! I was actually just about to call Washington ESD myself about this exact situation, but now I have the confirmation I needed. The 8am-5pm availability window makes total sense - I've been planning my associate degree around evening classes anyway since most community colleges offer flexible schedules for working adults. It's such a relief to know that Washington ESD is reasonable about this and focuses on actual availability conflicts rather than just blanket restrictions on any education. Did the agent mention anything about how long you've been successfully collecting benefits while taking evening classes? I'm curious about whether there are any time limits or if this arrangement can continue throughout a full degree program. Thanks so much for sharing this direct experience - it's exactly the kind of official guidance those of us in similar situations desperately needed!

That's awesome that you're considering nursing prerequisites! That's such a great field to get into, especially with all the demand for healthcare workers right now. I'm actually looking at a similar path - considering some healthcare-adjacent classes while I figure out my next career move. The nursing prereq route is smart because even if you don't end up going all the way to nursing school, those science courses can open doors to other healthcare careers too. Since you mentioned customer service background, you probably already have great patient interaction skills which would be a huge asset in nursing. Are you looking at any specific community colleges? I've heard some have really good partnerships with local hospitals for clinical placements later on. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Nursing is such a rewarding field! I'm actually in a similar situation - laid off from my administrative job and considering healthcare programs. The prerequisites can definitely open up other opportunities too like medical assisting, radiology tech, or lab work if you decide nursing isn't the right fit. One thing to consider is that some nursing prereq courses might have lab components that could affect your daytime availability, so you'll want to check the schedules carefully. But most community colleges are pretty flexible with evening options for working adults. Have you looked into whether your state has any specific programs that help unemployed workers transition into healthcare? Some states have special funding for high-demand fields like nursing. Best of luck with your program research!

Nursing prerequisites are a great choice! I actually made a similar transition a few years ago from retail to healthcare and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. One tip - definitely look into whether your community college offers any accelerated or hybrid options for the prereqs. Some schools have weekend intensives or online components that can give you even more flexibility while maintaining your availability for work. Also, don't overlook that many hospitals and healthcare facilities are actively recruiting and sometimes hire people who are currently working on their prerequisites - they love candidates who are committed to the field. You might even find part-time work in healthcare while you're taking classes, which could be perfect for your unemployment situation. The fact that you have customer service experience is actually a huge plus in healthcare - patient interaction skills are so valuable. Good luck with your program search!

Nursing is such a smart career move, especially with the job security and growth opportunities! I'm actually considering a similar path myself after getting laid off from my office job. One thing I'd suggest is looking into whether your community college offers any evening clinical rotations or lab sessions - some schools are getting more flexible about scheduling for working students. Also, if you end up needing to take anatomy and physiology or chemistry, those courses sometimes have mandatory lab components that could affect your daytime availability, so you'll want to plan accordingly. But honestly, even if you have to adjust your unemployment situation later for clinical requirements, the long-term career prospects in nursing make it totally worth it. Healthcare is one of the few fields where there's almost guaranteed job placement after graduation. Have you looked into any prerequisite pathways that might qualify for that Commissioner Approved Training program people mentioned earlier? Nursing education often falls into their high-demand category.

Nursing prerequisites sound like a great plan! I'm in a similar situation after being laid off from my office job. One thing I'd definitely recommend is checking if your community college has evening lab sections for courses like anatomy, chemistry, or microbiology - those prerequisites often have required lab components that could potentially conflict with daytime job availability. Most schools are getting better about offering flexible schedules for working adults though. Also, with your customer service background, you already have valuable patient interaction skills that nursing programs really value. Have you looked into whether Washington state has any special workforce development funding for healthcare training? Sometimes there are grants or programs specifically for people transitioning into high-demand fields like nursing that could supplement your unemployment benefits. Good luck with your research!

Nursing prerequisites are such a smart choice! I'm actually in a similar situation - got laid off from my office job and have been considering healthcare programs too. Your customer service background will definitely be an asset since so much of nursing involves patient communication and care coordination. One thing I'd suggest is checking whether your community college offers any evening or hybrid options for the science courses - anatomy, chemistry, and microbiology can sometimes have lab requirements that might affect daytime availability. But most schools are pretty flexible these days with scheduling for working adults. Also, you might want to look into whether there are any healthcare facilities near you that hire students who are working on prerequisites - some hospitals and clinics love to bring in people who are already committed to the field. It could be a great way to get relevant experience while maintaining income. Best of luck with your program search - healthcare is such a stable field with great long-term prospects!

Nursing prerequisites are an excellent choice! I actually went through a similar transition a few years back from retail to healthcare and it completely changed my career trajectory. One thing I'd definitely recommend is checking if your community college offers any evening or weekend lab sessions for the science courses - anatomy, physiology, and chemistry labs can sometimes run during the day which might affect your availability requirements. But most schools are getting much better about accommodating working students. Also, with your customer service background, you're already ahead of the game when it comes to patient interaction skills. Many hospitals actually prefer hiring nursing students who have real customer service experience because you understand how to communicate with people who might be stressed or upset. Have you looked into any certified nursing assistant (CNA) programs? Sometimes those can be a good stepping stone while you're working on prerequisites, and the clinical experience looks great on nursing school applications. Best of luck with your program - healthcare really is one of the most stable career paths out there!