ESD Training Benefits taking forever - applied in December, still waiting while attending school

Training Benefits typically take 4-6 weeks for approval, but lately I've been seeing longer timelines. The ESD specialist who handles TB applications has a significant backlog right now. A few things to know: 1. Make sure your Training Benefits application shows as "received" in your eServices account 2. Continue filing your weekly claims and answering "yes" to the school/training question 3. When you do this, also make sure to select the option that indicates you're approved for Commissioner Approved Training (even though you're still waiting) 4. You still need to be completing and documenting 3 job search activities each week unless you've been specifically told otherwise If it's been more than 8 weeks, you should definitely try to speak with someone at ESD. Unfortunately, their call center is overwhelmed these days.

i went thru this last summer. took 11 weeks to get approved!!! keep documenting everything. the restaurant industry is BRUTAL right now, i was a bartender for 8 yrs before COVID and couldn't find anything after my last place closed. thats why i applied for training too. hang in there!!

I completed Training Benefits last year for HVAC certification. The entire process was frustratingly slow. A couple tips: - Make sure your school submitted the proper verification forms. Some schools are slow with this paperwork, which delays everything. - Double-check that your training program qualifies as "in-demand" occupation according to ESD's criteria. Culinary management should qualify, but worth confirming. - The Training Benefits extend your regular UI by up to 26 additional weeks (assuming your benefit year hasn't expired). - Once approved, you'll be excused from job search requirements as long as you're meeting your class requirements. I'd recommend trying to get through to ESD directly given how long you've been waiting. Regular UI running out is a legitimate concern.

took 9 weeks for mine to get approved last oct. what program are u in? i did welding at renton tech. you HAVE to keep doin job searches each week until u get the actual approval letter!!!! even tho it seems pointless cuz ur in school. my friend messed up and stopped doing job searches while waiting and got DISQUALIFIED for 4 weeks and lost $$$$$$

Have you tried calling the ESD office directly? I know it's nearly impossible to get through, but I found an easier way. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes after trying for weeks on my own. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 When I finally spoke with someone, they were able to check the status of my Training Benefits application and actually escalated it to a specialist. Got approved the following week. Might be worth trying since you're getting close to your benefits running out.

Sometimes the ESD Training Benefits department gets completely backlogged. I'm a career counselor at WorkSource and we're seeing 8-12 week waits right now for TB approvals. It's terrible but unfortunately normal these days. MAKE SURE you keep doing all required job searches while waiting - that's the #1 reason TB applicants get disqualified. Also, if your regular benefits are about to run out, you might qualify for an extension under certain circumstances, even before your TB is approved.

I GOT DENIED for training benefits after waiting TEN WEEKS last year!!!!! Their reason? They said my field wasn't "in demand" enough even though it was LITERALLY on their approved list!!! The whole system is DESIGNED to deny people and make it impossible to get benefits that you're entitled to. I appealed and then waited ANOTHER 6 weeks just to get a hearing date. The entire thing is a JOKE. No way to contact anyone, no updates, nothing. Good luck but don't hold your breath.

One other piece of advice - while you're waiting, contact your state representative or senator. Their constituent services can sometimes help push ESD to review delayed applications. I did this when my TB application hit week 10 with no response, and magically got approved 3 days after my state rep's office inquired about my case. Just Google "[your district] state representative Washington" to find yours.

hey my wife works for ESD (not in training benefits tho) and she says theyre super backed up cuz they lost 2 staff members and haven't replaced them. also if u havent already done it make sure u upload ALL ur school documents into ur eServices account even if the school said they sent stuff directly to ESD. the more documentation the better