I can't tell you what Cal Nev does but I'm sure all of the Outside Apprenticeship programs a pretty much the same. I my area, NEAT and the Local Unions do NOT pay expenses! And The Contractors are not required to pay either! For example, NY is a good size State. Local 1249's jurisdiction is all of NY except NY City and Long Island. When you get a call to tell you to report to a job, you go and don't complain! No expenses per diem etc! That is what you knew when you applied to the JATC program.
So, if you want to be a LIneman, suck it up for 3 1/2 years. Or go find another line of work. I am so sick of hearing all these Apps and wanna be Apps cry about not getting expenses and per diem!! Go to work for McDonalds, I hear they are hiring so you can stay home.