Will taking evening UW certificate classes affect my ESD unemployment benefits?

You need to report ANY school attendance to ESD! I didn't report my online classes last year and ended up with a huge overpayment notice because they found out from the school directly. When you file your weekly claim, there's a question about attending school or training - always answer YES. Then ESD will evaluate if it impacts your availability for work.

i took evening classes at bellevue college last fall n kept my benefits. just make sure u tell them ur schedule n that ur available for fulltime work during normal hours. they might ask for proof that classes dont interfere w/ work schedule

You're facing something called the 'Commissioner Approved Training' issue. Here's how it works: If you're attending school/training while on unemployment, ESD requires you to either: 1. Prove your classes don't interfere with your ability to accept full-time work (which sounds like your case with evening classes) 2. Apply for Commissioner Approved Training status, which allows you to attend school without looking for work, but has very specific requirements Since you're taking evening classes and still job searching, you'll likely fall under the first category. You DO need to report it on your weekly claims. ESD will probably send you a questionnaire about your availability. As long as you can show you're available for work during standard business hours, it shouldn't affect your benefits. Also, they definitely do cross-check with educational institutions, so don't try to hide it.

Just went through this last month! I'm taking online classes through Seattle Central and I marked YES to the training question on my weekly claim. Got a questionnaire within a week asking for details about my class schedule and how it impacts my availability for work. I explained that classes were evenings/weekends and I was fully available during business hours. They approved within 3 days and my benefits continued without any gaps. Just be honest and report it right away. It's only a problem if you 1) don't report it or 2) your classes actually do make you unavailable during standard work hours.

My nephew tried taking day classes while on unemployment and they CANCELLED his benefits completely!! Be very careful!! They are very strict about this stuff!!

I tried calling ESD for three days to ask about this EXACT question and kept getting disconnected or waiting forever. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent in about 20 minutes - definitely worth it when you have specific questions like this that impact your benefits. There's a video on how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent told me that as long as I reported the training and could document that I was available for full-time work during business hours (8am-5pm), there would be no reduction in benefits. They sent me a questionnaire to complete, I sent it back with my class schedule, and everything was fine.

According to ESD regulations, you must report any educational activities while claiming benefits. For your situation, here's what matters: 1) Your availability during normal business hours (8am-5pm, M-F) 2) Your continued ability to conduct 3 job search activities per week 3) Your willingness to accept suitable full-time work if offered Evening certificate programs typically don't interfere with these requirements, so your benefits should continue uninterrupted as long as you properly report your educational activities on your weekly claim. When you report, ESD will likely send you a questionnaire (usually through your eServices account) asking for more details about your training. Be prepared to provide your class schedule and a statement about your continued availability for work.

One more important detail - if you're taking these classes to get into a new career field, you might want to look into the official Training Benefits program through ESD instead of just taking regular classes. The Training Benefits program can extend your unemployment while you complete approved training programs, but you have to apply and get approved. Deadline is usually within first 16 weeks of your claim.