Do ESD Training Benefits automatically start after regular UI expires? Only 1 week left!
I finally got approved for Training Benefits (TB) through ESD after submitting all my paperwork for the nursing program I'm starting next month. My regular unemployment benefits are almost gone - just 1 week left according to my eServices account. Does anyone know if the Training Benefits automatically kick in after my regular UI runs out? Or do I need to make a specific call to ESD to activate them? The approval letter doesn't say anything about this. I've been trying to reach someone but you know how that goes... Just wondering if I should expect a gap in payments or if it's a seamless transition. Getting anxious since rent is due soon and I can't afford a delay in benefits.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
Training Benefits don't automatically start after regular UI ends. You need to call ESD to have them activate your TB claim once your regular benefits exhaust. Make sure to keep filing your weekly claims without interruption during the transition. They'll need to manually switch your claim type in the system, and if you don't call, you could experience a gap in payments.
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Andre Laurent
•Oh no, really?? The approval letter made it sound like it would just continue. I've been trying to call for 3 days now but keep getting disconnected. Do you know if there's a specific department or option I should select when calling?
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Jamal Washington
i went thru this last year. u DEF need to call them!! took me 2 weeks of trying b4 i got thru & my payments stopped during that time. super stressful
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Mei Wong
•Same here! And then they made me resubmit all my training paperwork AGAIN even though they'd already approved it. The ESD system is such a nightmare - they tell you one thing in the approval letter and then do something completely different. I ended up missing rent because of the gap between benefits. Keep calling!!!
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Liam Fitzgerald
Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to ESD? I was in a similar situation with training benefits last month and spent days trying to reach someone with no luck. A friend recommended Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Totally worth it to avoid the gap in payments since the transition does require speaking with an agent.
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Andre Laurent
•I've never heard of this before. Is it legitimate? I'm desperate at this point so I'll try anything that actually works.
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PixelWarrior
just wondering what kind of training program did u get approved for? ive been thinking about going back to school but wasnt sure if ESD would cover my program
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Andre Laurent
•I got approved for a 12-month nursing program at the community college. ESD seems to favor healthcare training from what my WorkSource advisor told me. But honestly that's not helping me figure out how to activate these benefits right now...
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Amara Adebayo
Make sure you continue filing your weekly claims WITHOUT INTERRUPTION even during the transition period. This is critically important. When you do reach ESD, ask them specifically to activate your Training Benefits and confirm the effective date. They should backdate it to start immediately after your regular UI ends, but only if you've been consistently filing your weekly claims. Also, Training Benefits have different job search requirements than regular UI. Once TB is activated, you should be exempt from job search activities as long as you're meeting your training requirements and providing verification when requested. Document everything and keep copies of all correspondence with ESD just in case.
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Andre Laurent
•Thank you! This is really helpful. I definitely won't miss filing my weekly claims. Do you know if I need to upload any additional documentation during this transition period?
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Giovanni Rossi
My sister had training benefits in 2024 and she said there was no gap but she did have to call them to activate it after her regular benefits ended. I think it depends on who processed your initial approval maybe?
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Amara Adebayo
•It's not supposed to depend on who processes your claim, but unfortunately, ESD's inconsistent handling of Training Benefits is a common issue. The official procedure requires claimants to contact ESD to initiate the transition, though some representatives may set it up to transition automatically during the approval process. Since the stakes are high (potential gap in benefits), it's always better to be proactive and call rather than assume it will happen automatically.
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Liam Fitzgerald
Just to update you - I managed to get through to ESD using the Claimyr service I mentioned. The agent confirmed that Training Benefits don't automatically activate after regular UI. They need to manually switch your claim type in their system once your regular benefits exhaust. The good news is that as long as you keep filing weekly claims, they can backdate the TB activation to ensure no gap in payments. The job search requirements also change - you don't need to look for work while in approved training, but you do need to submit training attendance verification when requested.
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Andre Laurent
•I finally got through to ESD this morning! You're right - they said exactly what you mentioned. The agent activated my Training Benefits to start immediately after my regular UI ends next week. She also made a note in my file about the transition so there shouldn't be any payment delays. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help!
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