Iowa Admin. Code r. 871-24.31 - Department-approved training

Department-approved training allows claimants to return to the labor market after attending vocational training while being paid unemployment insurance benefits. Vocational training is nonacademic, skill-oriented training that provides the student with job tools and skills that can be used in the workplace. It includes technical, skill-based, or job readiness training intended for pursuing a career. Upon departmental approval, the claimant is exempt from the work search requirement for continued benefit eligibility benefits. To be eligible for department-approved training programs and to maintain continuing participation therein, the individual must meet the following requirements:

(1) The claimant applies to the department demonstrating:

a. The educational establishment at which the claimant would receive training;

b. The estimated time required for such training;

c. The date the training will be complete or the degree obtained;

d. The occupation the training is allowing the claimant to maintain or pursue; and

e. The training plan, indicating the requirements needed to complete the certification or degree.

(2) A claimant may receive unemployment insurance while attending a training course approved by the department if:

a. The educational establishment is a college, university or technical training institution;

b. The training is completed 104 weeks or less from the start date; and

c. The individual is enrolled and attending as a full-time student, as defined by the institution.

While attending the approved training course, the claimant need not be available for work or actively seeking work, except if the hours of the training are outside the regular hours worked in the base period employment. After completion of department-approved training, to continue eligibility for unemployment insurance, the claimant may place no restriction on employability. The claimant must be able to work, available for work, and actively searching for work. The claimant may be subject to disqualification for any refusal of work without good cause after completing training.

(3) The claimant must show satisfactory attendance and progress in the training course to be considered for a subsequent approval.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 96.4.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 871-24.31

Amended by IAB August 2, 2017/Volume XL, Number 3, effective 9/6/2017 Adopted by IAB January 8, 2025/Volume XLVII, Number 14, effective 2/12/2025