Will taking online classes affect my ESD unemployment benefits?

Ur fine as long as u can still look 4 work and be available to accept a job. I was taking online classes when on unemployment last year and it didnt effect anything. Just make sure ur still doing the required job search activities

You need to report any training to ESD, even self-paced online courses. Log into your eServices account, go to your weekly claim questions, and you'll be asked if you're in school or training. Answer 'yes' and provide details. However, since your training is self-paced and won't interfere with your availability for full-time work, it shouldn't disqualify you from benefits. ESD might contact you to verify that your classes won't affect your ability to accept work. Keep in mind that if you're in approved training through the Training Benefits program, different rules apply, but that doesn't sound like your situation.

BE CAREFUL!!!! I did online classes last year and didn't know I had to report it and got hit with a $4,900 overpayment!!! ESD claimed I wasn't available for work even though the classes were flexible. Had to go through a whole appeal process and it was TERRIBLE!!!

This is a common question! Per ESD regulations, you need to disclose any educational activities, but self-paced online courses usually don't affect eligibility as long as they don't interfere with your availability for work. When you file your weekly claim, answer "Yes" to the training question, and be prepared to explain how your training is flexible and won't prevent you from accepting suitable work. Document everything - take screenshots of your class schedule showing the self-paced nature, and keep records of all your job search activities. If ESD has questions, they may place your claim in adjudication temporarily while they review your situation. This is normal but can delay payments.

If you need to talk to ESD about this, good luck getting through on the phone. I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone about my training situation. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to ESD in less than an hour. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Totally worth it because the ESD agent explained exactly how to report my classes and document my availability. My payments weren't interrupted at all.

I'm in almost the exact same boat! Got laid off from my marketing job and started some online digital marketing courses. I reported it on my weekly claim and got a letter saying they needed more info. I had to upload my course schedule and write a statement explaining how I could still work full time. My claim was in adjudication for like 10 days but then got approved and I've been getting benefits with no problem since then. Just be honest about everything!

One more important point - if you're thinking of applying for Training Benefits (TB) program with ESD, that's a completely different process from just taking some classes while on regular unemployment. The TB program actually allows you to attend school full-time without job searching, but you need formal approval first. Since you mentioned these are just self-paced classes you're taking while continuing to look for work, you're on the right track with regular UI benefits - just report the training accurately on your weekly claims.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this recently. I took online coding bootcamp classes while on unemployment and reported it every week. The key thing is being crystal clear about your availability - I wrote in the details section that my classes were 100% flexible and I could start work immediately if offered a position. ESD called me once to verify, and the rep was actually really helpful. She explained that as long as you're genuinely available for full-time work and continuing your job search requirements, self-paced online training usually isn't an issue. The problems arise when people don't report it or when the training conflicts with work availability. My advice: Report it, document everything, and don't stress too much if your claim goes into review - it's pretty routine for training situations. Better to be transparent from the start than deal with overpayment issues later!