Training Benefits program

You may qualify for extra weeks of unemployment benefits while you train for a new career. Find out if you qualify and how to apply.

How Training Benefits work

Training Benefits (TB) provide financial help while you're training for a new career. You can apply for TB if you're receiving unemployment benefits or already used them up. Benefits stop when you complete training or run out of TB, whichever comes first.

If you are approved for training benefits, you:

  • Can get up to 26 extra weeks of unemployment benefits, in addition to the weeks on your regular claim (up to 52 weeks total).
  • Will get a letter from us that tells you how many weeks of benefits you get and how much per week.
  • Do not need to look for work, as long as you are making progress in training.

The program does not directly pay for books, tuition or other school-related fees, but you can choose to use unemployment benefits to pay for these needs.

How to qualify for TB

To qualify for TB, you need to:

  • Be one of 4 types of workers. Read more on this page.
  • Work in an occupation in decline (does not apply to workers who earn low wages or who have a disability).
  • Apply for the TB program and enroll in training by the deadlines.
  • Enroll in an approved training program.
  • Have a plan for how you will pay for training and living expenses after your Training Benefits run out.

4 types of qualified workers

To qualify for TB, you need to be one of the following:

Dislocated workers

You were permanently laid off by your employer and you are not likely to get the same type of work again because it is not in demand in your local labor market.

You may be a dislocated worker if you lost your job and are unlikely to return to the same occupation due to:

  • Plant closures.
  • Mass layoffs.
  • Lack of demand for your skills.

Workers who earn low wages

You earned less than an average of $21.16 per hour in the jobs you used to claim unemployment benefits. This wage applies to 2024.

People with a disability

You have an injury or disability that prevents you from returning to your type of work and you have medical documents that prove the injury or disability.

National Guard or military members

You are a current member of the Washington National Guard or you were honorably discharged from the military or the Washington National Guard within the last year.

Deadlines

In most cases, you need to both:

  • Apply for TB within 90 days of opening your unemployment claim.
  • Enroll in school within 120 days of opening your unemployment claim.

If you miss these deadlines, you might still qualify for TB. You need to show us that you had "good cause" to miss the deadline. If you have questions about good cause, call TB staff toll free at 877-600-7701.

These deadlines do not apply to dislocated workers. They need to apply and enroll in training before the end of their benefit year.

Acceptable programs

An acceptable training program is an educational course that:

  • Takes place at a school or training facility.
  • Has a start and end date.
  • Is on the ETP list and participates in the ETP program.
  • Teaches you the skills to get a job in a high-demand occupation in your labor market.
  • Increases your earning potential.
  • Is vocational. It is not intended to result in a high school diploma or GED. It could result in a higher education degree if it gives you a certification, license or specific skills needed for an in-demand job.

Part-time training is available for some people. Dislocated workers and certain people of different ability may qualify. We ask for proof of a person's different ability that requires them to attend part time.

Everyone else needs to take full-time training. Schools and training providers determine what programs are full time.

Before you apply

There are parts of the TB application that you cannot complete without signing up for a training program or school. Additionally, community or technical colleges sometimes have staff that can help you complete the TB application.

To find an acceptable training program, go to the Eligible Training Provider (ETP) list. Check the box for "ETP Only." Programs that do not have a check mark in the ETP column are not acceptable programs. Self-employment training is not eligible, even if marked ETP eligible.

You will also need to show if your job is in demand or decline. You can find this information by following these steps:

  1. Find the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code and choose the code that most closely matches your job in the past 3 years.
  2. Go to the Learn about an occupation page.
  3. Use the "Select Locations & Categories" filter.
  4. Choose "Location" to find the county or counties where you want to work.
  5. Use the SOC code to find out the demand for your occupation.

How to apply for TB

We encourage you to call TB staff toll free at 877-600-7701 to get help. Some staff at your local WorkSource center might also be able to help. Find your nearest office with the WorkSource locator on WorkSourceWA.com.

To apply online

Log in to your eServices account or create an account. Select your current claim, then choose "Apply for Training Benefits" under "I want to."

To apply with a paper application

Get a paper application packet in one of these ways:

Submit your paper application

Use the method that works best for you.

Mail

Employment Security Department
Attn: Training Benefits Unit
PO Box 19019
Olympia, WA 98507-0019

Fax

800-301-1796. You can fax it for free at a WorkSource location.

After you're approved for TB

Make sure you Read the Training Benefits Handbook (PDF, 2.9 MB) we send you. To request a handbook, call us at 877-600-7701.

Meet your training requirements

While you're receiving training benefits, you need to:

  • Be enrolled full time in an approved training program. If you are a dislocated worker or have a disability, you may qualify for part-time training.
  • Make satisfactory progress in the program. You and your training provider are responsible for showing us your progress. We will send you a form to complete when we need to track your progress.

Tell us about changes to your training

We approved your training plan based on what you told us in your application. If you want to make any changes to your training, you need to ask us first. The changes you intend to make could affect your eligibility for training benefits.

  1. Call or email the TB unit before you change anything about your training schedule. Also tell us before you change your field of study, your school or training program.
  2. Download and submit a Request to modify training plan. You also can get the form at your local WorkSource office. Find an office near you using the locator tool on WorkSourceWA.com.
  3. We will review your request to change your training. Then we will decide if you still qualify for Training Benefits.

If you do not follow these steps, you might need to look for work or pay back the benefits you received.

Financial aid for training

TB does not pay for training. But you may be able to get financial aid to help pay for your training. Some possible resources:

Training Benefits laws and rules