UPDATE:(I'm republishing this diary because it may be needed by Kossacks or their friends and relatives nearing the end of Unemployment benefits.)
My friend Keri was coming to the end of her unemployment insurance, but discovered that you may be able to get an ADDITIONAL UI extension (after the 99 weeks, or whenever your claim runs out), and a government grant for job training -- however, you have to apply for that training some specific time BEFORE your claim runs out.
My brother followed the below advice (more or less) and even after his claim runs out, it looks as tho he's going to get a government grant for two years of job training in a field he's always wanted to work in WHILE COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR THAT ADDITIONAL TWO YEARS.
Keri's now enrolled in a job training program, and not only is she collecting UI during, but that extension will go on another month or so after the training ends to enable her to job hunt in the new field.
If your unemployment insurance is running out the clock, with no work in sight, this may be the life-line you need.
I'm by no means an expert on this topic, this is second-hand, one-woman's (Keri's) hard-won advice on getting into the job training additional UI extension, although the hoops you jump through, and the acronyms, may vary in your state.
First and foremost, you need to get someone on the phone at the Unemployment office to document that you want job training, and that's important even BEFORE you go down to the office.
As soon as possible (TOMORROW!) call and get on record that you want training (and if they ask, you have an idea of what you want to do for retraining, even if you don’t.) Put your phone on REDIAL, until you get someone live.
(Keri put two hours into this early one the morning, and advises that if you don’t get the answer you want from the first live human, to try to get another person on the phone who will help you -- that's worked for her.
Although another time of the week the line may be less busy than Monday or Friday. She recommends Tuesday for that, and also for going down to the office.)
Give them your Social Security number so they can look at your whole claim, while talking on the phone.
IF THEY SAY THEY SENT YOU A PAMPHLET ON JOB TRAINING, CLAIM YOU DIDN'T GET IT. (That may start the clock again on your time to apply for job training.)
Also ask about WIA and ROP (although those may be specific California acronyms.)
There may be one retraining program thru state unemployment, and another one through federal -- so ask everybody about all the options, too.
At the unemployment office there may be an EDD counselor because you need to get a counselor to arrange for whatever training is available. (If no EDD counselor there and then, find out where and when you can get to a job training counselor.)
Retraining information also may be in a pamphlet at unemployment office, or there may be WIA or ROP retraining money. The office may also send job counselors to a job fair, ask about that, too. Also ask about retraining money for junior college and colleges.
IT’S THE END OF THE YEAR, THERE MAY NOT BE TRAINING AVAILABLE IN SPECIFICALLY WHAT YOU WANT, SO YOU MIGHT NEED TO TAKE WHATEVER YOU CAN GET INTO. (After training, you may be required to work for may be required to work in that field, but the training programs have supposedly have been chosen because these particular jobs areas are hiring.)
My brother also checked out several local unemployment offices, and chose to look for answers and a counselor at the less hectic office in a "better" neighborhood. And then chose the better of two counselors available.
It's possible, you too may qualify for a job training extension for unemployment insurance. Go for it, and good luck.
UPDATE: Two Kossacks have supplied specific info on government support for both job search and training:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Also: Taking job training during your original claim (rather than at the end), may not add additional weeks to your claim.