Fired or Laid Off? Here’s Exactly What to Do

Losing your job is stressful, and the clock starts immediately: unemployment claims, health-insurance deadlines, and severance windows all move fast. Find your situation below for a clear, step-by-step plan.

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Find your situation

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First 24 hours: the universal checklist

No matter how your job ended, these moves apply to almost everyone:

  1. Don’t sign anything — severance and release forms can wait until you’ve read them.
  2. Ask HR for the reason and your last day in writing.
  3. File for unemployment the same week — benefits usually start when you file, not your last day.
  4. Compare COBRA against an ACA marketplace plan before your coverage lapses.
  5. Forward reviews, praise, and key emails to a personal account before IT cuts access.
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This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws vary by state and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed employment attorney in your state.