Receving Unemployment?

When you are receiving Unemployment payments (UI), Employment Security (ES) is paying you while you do a job search. If you want to upgrade your skills, ES needs to approve your program for you to continue to receive your benefits. This is done through the CAT/TB application (see definition below). Worker Retraining provides a CAT/TB advisor and a weekly CAT/TB workshop to assist you through this process.

What is CAT/TB?

CAT - The Commissioner Approved Training application is a request to Employment Security to allow you to attend school and collect your unemployment insurance.

TB - An application for Training Benefits is a potential extension of unemployment benefits while attending full-time school (note: TB applications must be received by ES w/in 60 days of first applying for UI benefits).

Is CAT required?

Submitting an application is mandatory if you are receiving UI benefits and are attending or planning on attending school even if attendance is part-time and the courses(s) are online or in the evenings.

How do I apply?

Come to our

CAT/TB weekly orientation Every Thursday, 1:30pm at BCC - click to open flyer in PDF

or call 425-564-4054 for the current location.

What is a Progress Report?

If approved for CAT, Employment Security will ask for progress reports every 6 weeks to see how you are doing in school.

What do I do with my Progress Reports?

Ask one of your instructors to sign it, verifying attendance and satisfactory progress. Make a copy for your files, and fax and mail it to the address specified on the progress report before the date deadline. If in-between quarters, come to the Worker Retraining office, B131. We will check your grades and sign the form. You will then copy, fax and mail as above.

Does CAT/TB pay my tuition?

No. CAT is only approval to go to school and TB is only an extension of UI. Tuition is paid through other sources such as Worker Retraining, Financial Aid, WIA, Scholarships, etc. , depending upon eligibility.