Will taking union training courses affect my ESD benefits or make me ineligible?
I've been collecting unemployment while on my union's Out of Work list for about 2 months now. Everything's been running smoothly - payments hit my account early each week without any issues. But I'm getting worried about something on the weekly claim form. Every week I have to answer NO to 'Have I begun any school or training?' question. Here's my situation: my local is offering some skill upgrade courses in November (just two 1-week classes). They're completely free, and I'm not getting any stipend or payment for attending. I'm still available for any dispatch calls and wouldn't turn down work. Will taking these courses mess up my unemployment benefits? Has anyone had experience with short training courses while on ESD benefits? The last thing I want is to lose my benefits or trigger some kind of investigation when I'm following all the rules. Are there specific ESD rules about taking classes while collecting?
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Kelsey Hawkins
happened to me last yr. took a 3day safety cert course. just keep saying NO on that question. ur not in a formal training program
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Harper Collins
•Seriously? That feels like lying on my claim... You didn't have any issues when you did that?
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Dylan Fisher
This is actually an important distinction in ESD's system. The "school or training" question is specifically asking if you've enrolled in full-time education or a formal training program (like approved vocational training). Short professional development courses don't typically count, especially if they don't affect your availability for work. Since you're still on the dispatch list and available for work calls, these one-week courses wouldn't make you ineligible. The key is that you remain able and available for suitable work, which it sounds like you are. If you were turning down dispatches because of the classes, that would be different.
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Harper Collins
•That makes sense, thank you for the clarification. So these short courses don't count as the type of "training" they're asking about on the form. I definitely wouldn't turn down work for these classes.
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Edwards Hugo
To add to what others have said, ESD is specifically concerned about Commissioner-Approved Training (CAT) programs, which are formal educational programs that can actually exempt you from job search requirements. Your union skill courses don't fall into this category. If you're worried, you can always call ESD to confirm, but be prepared for a long wait. The courses you described are considered professional development and don't affect your eligibility as long as you remain available for work during your regular work hours.
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Gianna Scott
•Good luck calling ESD lol! I tried for 3 weeks straight and never got through. Always "high call volume" then disconnect.
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Alfredo Lugo
I TRIED TO CALL ESD ABOUT THIS EXACT THING last year and wasted TWO WHOLE DAYS trying to get through!!! Complete nightmare. The phone system is broken and nobody ever answers. I eventually had to just make my best guess and hope I didn't get penalized later. The whole system is designed to make things impossible for working people. They want us to fail so they can deny benefits.
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Sydney Torres
•I had the same frustrating experience trying to reach them! After being hung up on about 20 times, I finally found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an ESD agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Their website (claimyr.com) explains everything. Totally saved my sanity when I needed to ask about some training courses I was taking while on standby status.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
Hi! I'm taking a night course at the community college right now while on unemployment and my adjudicator told me it's fine as long as it doesn't interfere with my availability to work during regular business hours. They specifically told me to mark "no" for that question since I'm not in an approved training program. Just continuing education. I think you're totally fine with those union courses. They sound similar to my situation.
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Kelsey Hawkins
•ya thats what i was saying. ESD doesnt care bout short courses. only full time school
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Caleb Bell
When I was getting unemployment my brother was getting married and I had to go to california for the wedding but I was worried about answering the able and available question that week and if I would get in trouble for being out of state briefly but my claim was fine and nothing bad happened. Sorry this isnt about training but similar worry I guess
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Dylan Fisher
•That's a different issue actually. For brief travel, you're supposed to indicate that on your weekly claim (there's a specific question about being out of your local area). Short trips are allowed as long as you're still conducting job search activities. For training, it's about whether you're in a full Commissioner-Approved Training program, not short professional development courses.
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Harper Collins
Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I feel much better about this now. I'll continue to mark "no" for that question since these are just short professional development courses and not a formal training program. I'll still be fully available for dispatches, which seems to be the key factor. Really appreciate all the advice!
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Edwards Hugo
•You're welcome! That's exactly right - availability for work is the critical factor. Keep documenting your job search activities (or union dispatch availability) each week and you'll be fine. The courses might even give you an edge when you do get your next dispatch.
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