How to apply for ESD Training Benefits Program to attend CDL school?
I'm trying to figure out how to apply for training benefits through ESD so I can attend CDL school. Been unemployed for about 2 months now and not having much luck finding work in my old field (warehouse management). I think getting my commercial driver's license would really open up more job opportunities, but I need income while I'm in school. I've heard ESD has some kind of retraining program but the website is confusing me. Has anyone gone through this process for CDL training specifically? What are the steps to apply and how long does approval take? Really appreciate any help!
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Natasha Petrova
You're looking for the Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) or Training Benefits (TB) programs through ESD. Here's what you need to do: 1. First, make sure you have an active unemployment claim 2. Complete the Training Benefits application in your eServices account (under "UI Training Program" section) 3. Find a CDL school that's on the approved training provider list at CareerBridge.wa.gov 4. Submit a training plan that includes the CDL program details 5. Continue filing your weekly claims while waiting for approval The approval process usually takes 2-3 weeks. Make sure you mention in your application how the CDL training is different from your previous work and how it will help you become employable in a high-demand field.
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Oliver Fischer
•Thanks so much for the detailed information! I didn't realize I had to find a school that's specifically on an approved list. Do you know if I need to be officially enrolled in the CDL program before applying for the training benefits? Or can I apply first and then enroll once I'm approved?
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Javier Morales
I went thru this last yr for CDL training and it was a NIGHTMARE!!! nobody at ESD could tell me the same thing twice and i kept getting different answers. ended up waiting for like 7 weeks before getting approved and almost ran out of money. When u call they just say "its processing" but they never explain whats taking so long. And then they might ask for more paperwork at the last minute. just be prepared for delays!! the CDL training was worth it tho, got a job right away.
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Oliver Fischer
•Oh no, that sounds stressful! 7 weeks is a long time to wait without knowing if you'll be approved. Was there anything you wish you'd done differently to speed up the process?
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Javier Morales
•yeah i shoulda just gone into the WorkSource office IN PERSON from the beginning instead of trying to do everything online and over the phone. The people face to face actually helped way better than the phone agents who seem like they dont know the rules
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Emma Davis
You need to talk to a Worker Retraining Coordinator at your local community college first. Even if you're not planning to attend there, they can help you with the paperwork and understand if you qualify. Thats what I did and it made the whole thing easier. They know all the right boxes to check. Some CDL schools might not be approved for benefits so check that first!!!
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GalaxyGlider
•I tried calling the Worker Retraining office at my community college, and they told me I needed to attend an online orientation first. Seems like every college has different processes. But this is definitely good advice - I got way more info from them than from ESD directly.
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Malik Robinson
One important thing nobody mentioned yet - when you apply for Training Benefits, you have to show that there aren't any suitable jobs available in your current field. For warehouse management, that might be tricky since there are usually openings in that field. You'll need to explain why those jobs aren't suitable for you specifically. Also, make sure your CDL program can be completed in less than 52 weeks, as that's the maximum time frame for Training Benefits. And keep filing your weekly claims during training, but you'll need to answer "yes" to the question about being in school and "no" to looking for work once approved.
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Oliver Fischer
•That's really helpful info! I didn't realize I'd need to prove there aren't suitable jobs in warehouse management. There are some openings but they're all paying way less than I was making before and most are part-time. Would that be enough justification, do you think? And good point about the 52-week limit - the CDL program I'm looking at is only 6 weeks full-time.
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Malik Robinson
•Lower wages and part-time work might be enough justification, but it depends on the claims specialist who reviews your case. Make sure to document specific job listings you've applied to and why they weren't suitable (pay too low to support yourself, part-time only, etc). The 6-week CDL program is perfect for Training Benefits! Much better than longer programs that risk hitting the time limit.
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Isabella Silva
whats the name of the cdl school youre looking at? i went to northwest truck driving school and they helped me fill out all the ESD paperwork, made it super simple
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Oliver Fischer
•I was looking at Pacific Truck School, but I'll check out Northwest too! That's great to hear they helped with the paperwork. I'll call a few schools tomorrow and ask if they have experience with ESD training benefits applications.
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Ravi Choudhury
If you've been trying to reach ESD by phone to ask questions about the Training Benefits program and can't get through, I used a service called Claimyr to connect with ESD. It worked great - got through to an agent in about 15 minutes after spending days trying on my own. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 I found that talking directly to an ESD specialist about my training plan was really helpful since my situation was a bit unique. The agent walked me through exactly what documents I needed for my application.
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Javier Morales
•does that claimyr thing actually work??? i tried calling esd like 50 times when i was applying for training benefits
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Oliver Fischer
•Thanks for the tip! I've been trying to call for two days with no luck. I'll check out that service if I can't get through tomorrow. At this point, I just need clear answers about the application process.
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GalaxyGlider
Make sure to ask how Training Benefits affects your regular UI benefits! I didn't realize that TB doesn't extend your benefits - you're still using your regular UI balance while in training. So if your CDL program is 6 weeks, make sure you have at least 6 weeks of benefits left when you start. Also, once you're approved for training, you don't have to do job searches while in school, which is nice.
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Oliver Fischer
•That's a really important point I hadn't considered! I think I have about 18 weeks of benefits left, so I should be okay for a 6-week program. And not having to do job searches during training would be a huge relief.
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Natasha Petrova
One last piece of advice - gather all these documents before applying for Training Benefits: 1. Program information including start/end dates, cost, and curriculum 2. Labor market information showing CDL jobs are in demand (your WorkSource office can help with this) 3. A statement explaining why your current skills aren't marketable or why you can't return to your previous occupation 4. Documentation of any barriers to employment in your previous field Having all this ready will speed up your application process significantly. And definitely work with your local WorkSource office - they have Training Benefits specialists who can review your application before you submit it.
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Oliver Fischer
•This is exactly the kind of checklist I needed! I'll start gathering all these documents right away. I'll also make an appointment with WorkSource tomorrow to get help with the labor market information and review my application. Thank you so much for all the help everyone!
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