ESD Training Benefits Program confusion - anyone approved while attending school?
I'm currently receiving unemployment and considering going back to school for a nursing certification. Has anyone successfully applied for ESD's Training Benefits Program? I keep hearing mixed things about it. Someone at WorkSource mentioned that the Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) program could actually mess up my existing claim and make things worse instead of helping. I'm worried about losing my regular benefits if I apply and get denied for the training program. Does anyone have actual experience with this in 2025? How did the application process work for you? Did it affect your weekly claims?
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Amy Fleming
i did CAT program last year, it was fine but took FOREVER to get approved. like 8 weeks waiting while they "reviewed" my application. make sure u have $$$ saved up cuz they might pause ur benefits during review. good luck
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Juan Moreno
•8 weeks? That's concerning. Did they backpay you for the weeks that were on hold during the review period?
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Alice Pierce
There's a lot of confusion between the Training Benefits Program and Commissioner Approved Training (CAT). They're actually two different things, though related. Training Benefits gives you additional WEEKS of benefits beyond your regular claim (up to 26 extra weeks as of 2025). CAT allows you to attend school while on unemployment without having to look for work, but doesn't extend your benefit period. Both require approval, but the application processes and eligibility criteria are different. For nursing programs, you'll likely need to demonstrate it's an in-demand occupation in your labor market (which it probably is). Make sure you have all your school documentation ready when you apply - acceptance letter, program details, start/end dates, etc.
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Juan Moreno
•Thank you for explaining the difference! So if I understand correctly, I should apply for both? First CAT to be excused from job search while in school, and then Training Benefits to potentially extend my claim period?
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Esteban Tate
My cousin tried this and it DID mess everything up!!! They denied her training approval and then said she wasn't available for work because she was in school full time. Then they wanted all the money back from like 6 weeks!!! BE CAREFUL!!!
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Alice Pierce
•This can happen if you start attending school before getting approval. You should never begin training until your CAT application is approved. Otherwise, ESD can determine you're not available for full-time work (which is a basic eligibility requirement for regular UI benefits).
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Ivanna St. Pierre
I successfully completed the Training Benefits Program for medical coding certification in 2024. Here's my experience: 1. Applied for Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) first 2. Continued filing weekly claims and doing job searches until approval came through 3. Once approved for CAT, I was excused from job search requirements 4. Then I applied for Training Benefits to extend my claim beyond the regular UI period 5. Had to prove the training was for an in-demand occupation 6. The whole process took about 5 weeks (3 for CAT approval, 2 more for Training Benefits) Very important: DO NOT stop doing your job searches until you receive WRITTEN confirmation of CAT approval. And keep filing your weekly claims during the entire process.
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Juan Moreno
•Thanks for sharing your experience! This is really helpful. Did you have to do anything special to prove the medical coding was an in-demand occupation? I'm hoping nursing is obviously in-demand, but not sure what documentation they'll want.
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Ivanna St. Pierre
For proving it was in-demand, I used the ESD's own list of in-demand occupations (they publish this on their website). I also got a letter from my school showing job placement rates for graduates. Nursing is definitely in-demand in most areas, so that should be straightforward. One thing I forgot to mention - you'll also need to maintain satisfactory progress in your program. ESD randomly asked for progress reports and grades during my training period.
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Elin Robinson
Tried calling ESD about the training benefits THREE TIMES this month and couldn't get through to anyone!!! I need to apply soon but have questions about my specific situation. Has anyone found a way to actually reach a human being at ESD these days? The automated system is useless for specific questions.
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Atticus Domingo
•I was in the same boat trying to get CAT approval questions answered. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual ESD agent. They have this service that helps you get past the hold queues. They have a video demo of how it works here: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Totally worth it for me because I had specific questions about my training program that weren't covered in any of the online materials. The agent I spoke with was actually really helpful and walked me through which forms I needed for my specific situation.
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Beth Ford
AVOID THE TRAINING BENEFITS PROGRAM!!! It's a TRAP! They make it sound great but then they scrutinize every little thing about your school schedule. If you have ANY class during normal business hours they can say you're not "available for work" and BOOM - disqualified and overpayment notice! The ESD website conveniently leaves out all these little "gotchas" that they use to deny people.
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Alice Pierce
•This isn't entirely accurate. The key is getting Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) status BEFORE your class schedule would interfere with work availability. Once you have CAT approval, your school schedule won't disqualify you. The problems usually happen when people start classes before getting approval, or when they don't disclose their full schedule in their application.
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Amy Fleming
to answer ur question from before - yes they did backpay me for those 8 weeks but it came all at once and took like 2 weeks after approval. just be prepared to wait. i was lucky i had savings
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Juan Moreno
•Thank you! That's really good to know. I have some savings but not enough for 2+ months without income. I might need to delay starting school until my application is fully processed.
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Esteban Tate
Does anyone know if online classes are better for Training Benefits? My program has both online and in-person options. Would one make it easier to get approved?
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Ivanna St. Pierre
•In my experience, ESD doesn't care whether classes are online or in-person for approval purposes. What matters is: 1. Is it an approved training provider? 2. Is the occupation in-demand in your labor market? 3. Will the training improve your employability? 4. Can you complete the training within your benefit period (or the extended period if approved for Training Benefits)? That said, online classes can sometimes be easier to schedule around potential part-time work, which might be a consideration for you personally.
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Juan Moreno
Thank you everyone for all the information! Based on all your advice, I'm going to: 1. Apply for CAT first and continue job searches until I get written approval 2. Make sure I have documentation showing nursing is in-demand 3. Wait until I have CAT approval before starting any classes 4. Then apply for the Training Benefits extension 5. Keep detailed records of all communication with ESD I'll update this thread when I have news about my application process in case it helps others.
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Ivanna St. Pierre
•Sounds like a solid plan! The most important thing is to keep filing your weekly claims throughout the entire process, even during the waiting periods. Good luck with your nursing program!
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