Will ESD pay unemployment while Training Benefits application is pending?

Yes, absolutely file your weekly claims! I went through this last year. You get regular UI benefits during the review process as long as you're otherwise eligible. The training benefits approval just extends how long you can collect while in training. Make sure you're doing your 3 job searches each week until you're officially approved for training benefits - then the job search requirement gets waived.

my cousin did this and didnt get paid for like 3 weeks cause they had to review something but then got backpay. depends i guess

The ESD system is such a JOKE!!! I applied for training benefits in 2024 and they took EIGHT WEEKS to approve it while giving me different information every time I called. One agent told me I shouldn't file weekly claims during review (WRONG) and another said I needed to keep doing job searches even after approval (ALSO WRONG). Don't trust anything they say!

Here's the actual policy: During the Training Benefits application review period, you MUST continue filing weekly claims AND conducting job searches (3 per week) to receive regular unemployment benefits. Once your Training Benefits are approved, you'll continue receiving benefits but the job search requirement is waived. If your application is denied, you'll need to continue job searches to remain eligible for regular UI. Make sure you're uploading your job search logs correctly - that's the #1 reason people get disqualified during this process.

I'm going through this exact process right now. Been waiting 3 weeks for my Training Benefits approval. I couldn't get through to ESD by phone at all - kept getting the "high call volume" message and disconnecting. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. They confirmed I should keep filing weekly claims and doing job searches until approved. Here's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Totally worth it to get answers directly instead of guessing.

When I did training benefits last year the most important thing was making sure the school submitted all the proper verification forms. My application sat for weeks because the school admin hadn't uploaded some required document. Check with your school contact person to make sure they did their part too!

so wait do we still get paid during the training or only during the application process? i'm confused

One more thing I remembered - while your Training Benefits application is pending, make sure you answer "No" to the question "Were you in school or training?" on your weekly claim until you're officially approved. Sounds counterintuitive but that's what ESD told me to do. After approval, you'll answer "Yes" to that question.