Will taking a medical billing online course disqualify me from ESD benefits?

u can take online courses while on unempoyment. i did a excel certification last yr while getting benefits. you just need to keep doing ur job search activities and be available if someone offers u work

Thanks! Do I need to report the coursework anywhere on my weekly claim or just keep doing my job searches?

You can absolutely take online courses while receiving unemployment benefits. ESD actually encourages claimants to improve their skills! The key requirements are:\n\n1. You must remain able and available for work\n2. You must continue completing your 3 job search activities each week\n3. If you get a job offer, you can't turn it down just because of your coursework\n\nI took online courses during my unemployment period and it was never an issue. In fact, I mentioned it to an ESD agent once and they were supportive since it improved my employment prospects.

THIS IS NOT ENTIRELY TRUE!! If you're enrolled in full-time training you need to apply for Training Benefits (TB) program through ESD!!!! Otherwise you could end up with an overpayment situation when they find out you're in school!! I know because this HAPPENED TO ME and I had to pay back $4200!!!

That's a good clarification - you're right that full-time training requires approval through the Training Benefits program. However, OP is asking about an online course, which is typically part-time and doesn't usually require TB approval. But you make an excellent point about being transparent with ESD!

The medical billing field is actually growing pretty fast right now - smart choice! For your unemployment question, I was in a similar situation in January. I took an online coding bootcamp while on UI benefits with no problems. \n\nHere's what matters:\n- If the course is part-time and flexible (sounds like yours is), you're fine\n- You must still be able to accept work if offered\n- Keep doing your required job search activities each week\n- If the program is full-time (over 20-25 hours/week), you might need to apply for the Commissioner Approved Training program\n\nI actually found a job faster because of my training! Best of luck with your course.

Thank you for the detailed response! The course is definitely part-time, probably 10-15 hours a week and completely flexible timing. I'll keep doing my job searches for sure.

I tried taking online classes during my claim last year but my weekly claims got all messed up because the ESD website kept asking if I was in school and when I said yes it put my account into review for three weeks!!! Then I had to call them and explain everything and it was such a headache. Maybe things are different now but I'd be careful about how you answer the weekly claim questions.

This is actually important to note. The weekly claim asks if you're attending school or training. If you answer

That's really good to know about the weekly claim question. I'll probably answer yes and include a note that it's part-time and flexible. I'm just worried about getting stuck in adjudication forever if I answer wrong.

Having trouble reaching ESD to ask about this? I was in the same boat and was trying for days to get through to ask about my training situation. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an ESD agent in about 25 minutes. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3\n\nThe agent I spoke with confirmed that part-time, flexible online courses are fine as long as you remain able and available for work. They also helped me understand exactly how to answer the weekly claim questions so I wouldn't trigger unnecessary reviews.

Thanks for the tip! I've been trying to call them but always get the busy signal. I'll check this out if I keep having trouble getting through.

DONT LISTEN TO PPL SAYING ITS ALWAYS OK!!!! It depends on how many hours the course is and if it interferes with your ability to work full time!! My friend lost all her benefits because she didn't tell ESD about her online courses until they found out during an audit!!!

You're right to be cautious, but there's an important distinction here. Your friend's situation was likely different from what OP is describing. A part-time, flexible online course (10-15 hours/week) where you can still work full-time is generally acceptable. What gets people in trouble is:\n\n1. Not disclosing the training (always be honest on claims)\n2. Taking inflexible courses that limit work availability\n3. Full-time educational programs without proper approval\n\nThe key is transparency with ESD and making sure the training doesn't prevent you from accepting suitable work.

i guess ur right but better safe than sorry!!! always tell esd everything!!

i took a online class for excel and quickbooks last yr while on benefits and i just made sure to answer yes to the school/training question on weekly claim. nothing bad happened and i still got paid every week. just keep doing ur job searches and you'll be fine

Something important that hasn't been mentioned yet: taking this medical billing course might actually help your job search requirements. If you correctly document your course participation, it could potentially count as one of your job search activities in certain weeks. \n\nAccording to ESD guidelines, \

Wow, I didn't know the course could potentially count as a job search activity! That's really helpful. I'll definitely keep detailed documentation of everything. Thanks for the tip!