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Washington Employment Security Department · CAT review through the Training Benefits packet

Commissioner-Approved Training

Keep receiving regular unemployment benefits during approved full-time training without looking for work. CAT does not extend your benefits or pay for school.

Taking applicationsChecked October 11, 2026

A job-search waiver while receiving regular unemployment benefits during approved training. CAT does not increase the claim amount, add weeks, or pay books, tuition or fees.

Apply for me

We use your saved answers and ask only what is missing. You review and sign before anything is sent.

Apply for me

Who can apply

  • You have a Washington unemployment claim, approved full-time training and a plan to finish it. Worker status must meet CAT rules.
  • ESD considers CAT through this packet if you are denied Training Benefits. This is not a separate CAT submission.

Documents to gather

  • Main occupation demand evidence

    • Printout of the local Workforce Development Council demand or decline page for your main occupation. For an out-of-state area, use CareerOneStop.
  • Training occupation demand evidence

    • Printout for the new occupation in your home area or the area where you will relocate.
  • School and program ETP evidence

    • Printout showing both the school and training program on the Washington Career Bridge ETP list or another state WIOA-approved ETP list.
  • Advisor-signed educational plan

    • Educational plan signed by your school advisor. Complete the training provider certification in the packet.
  • Current school registration · optional

    • Current school registration if available.
  • Medical evidence · if it applies

    • Medical documents verifying the disability, illness or injury that prevents work in your main occupation.
  • Job search logs

    • Copies of your job search logs for all weeks you have claimed benefits so far.
  • Main occupation commute-area demand evidence · if it applies

    • Printouts showing occupation demand or decline in each county where you will commute.
  • Main occupation relocation-area demand evidence · if it applies

    • Printouts showing occupation demand or decline in each county where you will move.
  • New occupation commute-area demand evidence · if it applies

    • Printouts showing new occupation demand or decline in each county where you will commute.
  • New occupation relocation-area demand evidence · if it applies

    • Printouts showing new occupation demand or decline in each county where you will move.
The questions on the application (113)
  • Name: Social Security number:

  • Name: Social Security number:

  • Mailing address, including city, state and ZIP code:

  • Mailing address, including city, state and ZIP code:

  • Mailing address, including city, state and ZIP code:

  • Mailing address, including city, state and ZIP code:

  • Physical address (if different than mailing address): · if it applies

  • Physical address (if different than mailing address): · if it applies

  • Physical address (if different than mailing address): · if it applies

  • Physical address (if different than mailing address): · if it applies

  • Primary daytime phone number:

  • Email address (optional): · optional

  • Have you received Training Benefits in the last five years? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • Were you honorably discharged from the military or Washington State National Guard in the last 12 months? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • Are you currently in the Washington State National Guard? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • Do you have a disability, illness or injury that prevents you from working in your previous occupation? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • If yes, please explain and include medical documents: · if it applies

  • In the past three years, what has been your main occupation?

  • What is your standard occupational classification code (SOC), or best match for your main occupation based on your employment in the past three years?

  • a.

    In decline · Balanced · In demand

  • c. If your main occupation is in demand or balanced, provide written information explaining why you need training to find suitable employment. · if it applies

  • Are you willing to commute for your main occupation? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • b. List the county or counties where you would be willing to commute for your main occupation: · if it applies

  • Are you willing to move for your main occupation? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • b. List the county or counties beyond where you live that you would be willing to move for your main occupation: · if it applies

  • c. If you are not willing to move, please explain why: · if it applies

  • What is your highest level of education?

  • Do you have a degree or certificate? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • Name of school: · if it applies

  • Name of training program or major: · if it applies

  • Type of degree or certificate earned: · if it applies

  • Date degree or certificate was earned: · if it applies

  • Did you receive a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice (WARN)? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • Name of employer that issued the WARN: · if it applies

  • Date notice was issued: · if it applies

  • What is the exact name of your training program:

  • a. List the school name and city where the campus is located:

  • a. List the school name and city where the campus is located:

  • b.

    Yes · No

  • What date does your training start (mm/dd/yy): / /

  • What date does your training end (mm/dd/yy): / /

  • Does your school consider your training to be full time? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • This training will lead to a (choose one): Certificate Two-year degree Two-year transfer degree Four-year degree Higher than four-year degree Other:

    Certificate · Two-year degree · Two-year transfer degree · Four-year degree · Higher than four-year degree · Other:

  • Four-year degree Higher than four-year degree Other: · if it applies

  • Are the jobs you listed above in demand where you live, according to the Workforce Development Council list at esd.wa.gov/labormarketinfo/learn-about-an-occupation or to careeronestop.org/JobSearch/Plan/whats-in-demand.aspx if you live outside Washington state?

    Yes · No

  • For the new occupation, are you willing to commute outside of the county where you now live? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • a. If yes, list the county or counties where you are willing to commute: · if it applies

  • For the new occupation, are you willing to move outside of the county where you now live? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • a. If yes, list the counties where you are willing to move: · if it applies

  • Have you been approved for a special grant or program, such as Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Dislocated Worker or Trade Adjustment Assistance?

    Yes · No

  • Name of grant/program: · if it applies

  • Counselor/advisor name: · if it applies

  • Counselor/advisor phone number: · if it applies

  • Counselor/advisor email address: · if it applies

  • a. Training?

  • b. Living expenses?

  • If you are turning in this application past any of the deadlines, explain why it is late: · if it applies

  • What are your job search and employment plans if you are not approved for Training Benefits or Commissioner Approved training?

  • a. Attending training? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • b. Registered for training? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • How many credits are you or will you be taking?

  • How much have you spent on tuition, books, fees and expenses for this training?

  • Online

  • In person

  • Correspondence

  • a. If you attend online, are you required to be available for class at a specific time? Yes No · if it applies

    Yes · No

  • b. If yes, what days and times? · if it applies

  • How many hours do you or will you spend studying, both during and outside of class each week?

  • Have you been and are you now looking for full time work? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • a. If no, when did you stop looking for full time work? · if it applies

  • Have you limited your job search in any way, such as the hours you are available for work, working only until training starts, or the type of work you are willing to do?

    Yes · No

  • a. If yes, please explain: · if it applies

  • Days

  • Swing

  • Graveyard

  • How many hours per day and days per week can you work? hours per day

  • days per week

  • Sun

  • Mon

  • Tue

  • Wed

  • Thu

  • Fri

  • Sat

  • Are your classes available other hours? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • If we do not approve Training Benefits or allow Commissioner Approved Training and you are offered work that conflicts with your class schedule, will you drop classes to accept it?

    Yes · No

  • a. If yes, will you still drop out of training if the school will not give you a refund? Yes No · if it applies

    Yes · No

  • b. If no, explain: · if it applies

  • If we do not give you a job search waiver, what would you do if you were offered employment that requires you to work at the same time that you normally go to your classes?

  • In the past, have you worked full time while attending school? Yes No

    Yes · No

  • How did you manage working full time while attending school? · if it applies

  • What will you tell employers about your availability for work when you apply for or are offered a job?

  • Signature: Date:

  • Signature: Date:

  • Phone:

  • Is the applicant’s training full time? Yes No · if it applies

    Yes · No

  • Progress reports will be issued to the student every six weeks while in training. · if it applies

    Yes · No

  • Is the applicant taking English as a Second Language or English Language Learner courses? Yes No · if it applies

    Yes · No

  • Is the applicant taking basic education classes? Yes No · if it applies

    Yes · No

  • What date did the applicant enroll or get on a waiting list to start training? (mm/dd/yy) / / · if it applies

  • What date is the applicant’s first day of training? (mm/dd/yy) / / · if it applies

  • What date will the applicant complete their program? (mm/dd/yy) / / · if it applies

  • I have reviewed Section 2 (Training program information) and I certify the information I provided is true to the best of my knowledge. · if it applies

  • Name: Title/Position: · if it applies

  • Name: Title/Position: · if it applies

  • Phone: Email: · if it applies

  • Phone: Email: · if it applies

  • Signature: Date: · if it applies

  • Signature: Date: · if it applies

  • Print Name: Date received: · optional · if it applies

  • Print Name: Date received: · optional · if it applies

  • Signature: Email: · optional · if it applies

  • Signature: Email: · optional · if it applies

Job(s) you will qualify for when you finish training:: answered for each person (• Job title and SOC Code:, • Job title and SOC Code:).

Record your work history for the past three years, starting with your most recent employer.: answered for each person (Last employer: Job title:, Last employer: Job title:, Mailing address:, City: State: ZIP:, City: State: ZIP:, City: State: ZIP:, Dates worked in this position: Job location:, Dates worked in this position: Job location:, Dates worked in this position: Job location:, Description of tasks and responsibilities).

What is your class schedule this quarter or term?: answered for each person (Class name Course number Credit hours Class times Class days, Class name Course number Credit hours Class times Class days, Class name Course number Credit hours Class times Class days, Class name Course number Credit hours Class times Class days, Class name Course number Credit hours Class times Class days).

What you agree to

• I have read and understand my rights. I am submitting this application to get Training Benefits, Commissioner Approved Training or regular unemployment benefits. The information I provided is true to the best of my knowledge. • I understand that the facts I give on my application may be verified, and I must immediately report any changes in my training plan to the Training Benefits Unit at 877-600-7701. • If I am approved for benefits, I understand that if I later change my training program without prior approval from the Employment Security Department, I may be denied benefits and have to pay back any benefits I was not entitled to receive. • I authorize my school counselor or advisor to give the Employment Security Department information about my enrollment, attendance, grades, and training-program progress.

I have reviewed Section 2 (Training program information) and I certify the information I provided is true to the best of my knowledge.

After you apply
  • WorkSource can help research occupations and review the application for completion.
  • After approval, stay enrolled full time, make satisfactory progress and submit the progress reports ESD sends.
  • Tell ESD if you stop training, take a break, change the program or provider, or reduce attendance below full time.
  • You may request a telephone or in-person interview before ESD decides. You may have someone assist you and present evidence or witnesses.
  • The Training Benefits packet may take up to 12 weeks for ESD to decide. CAT is considered from this packet if Training Benefits is denied.
  • ESD decides whether you qualify for CAT. Approval waives job search during training.
  • If training requirements are not met, you may need to look for work or repay benefits.
  • ESD sends its decision letter through eServices or by mail.
  • ESD will contact you if it needs additional information.
Before you send it
  • Keep searching for work and filing weekly claims until ESD approves a training waiver.
  • The packet also lets ESD consider Commissioner-Approved Training if you do not qualify for Training Benefits. CAT does not add benefit weeks.
  • For changes to an approved plan, use the separate Request to modify training plan form. A finished plan followed by a new plan needs a new application.
  • Do not use the claim-opening date as a substitute for an ESD notice without checking your deadline. The page and current statute use different starting dates.
What we could not check
  • Public applications are offered. Personal claim deadlines still apply. No calendar-wide closing date is stated.
  • Some details here could not be confirmed. Check with Washington State Employment Security Department before you apply.

Read from Washington State Employment Security Department's own pages. Sources

Front Door is an independent service. The program operator decides who qualifies.

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