Attend School or Training While Collecting UI Benefits
The Employment Development Department (EDD) California Training Benefits Program (CTB) allows eligible Unemployment Insurance (UI) customers to further their education, upgrade their skills, and/or learn a new trade to be more competitive in today’s labor market while receiving UI benefits.
If approved for CTB, you will be exempt from the requirements to be available for work, actively seek work, and accept work, while you complete your training. You may also be eligible for additional weeks of benefits while completing training or school. The EDD does not cover any educational or training-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, or transportation
In order to qualify you must be have a valid / unexpired Unemployment Insurance Claim. It is important to let EDD know you are interested in attending school or training before your 16th week of benefit payments. You can notify EDD by calling 1-800-300-5616 and asking that a notation be placed in your UI file, or by logging into your UI online account at www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Contact_UI.htm. Once you log into your account, click on "Contact Us" on the top right corner of your screen.
For more information please visit the EDD website California Training Benefits.