Fired or laid off: your first week

What to know

1. Get the facts in writing before you leave, if you can: your last day, the reason, when you'll get your final paycheck and any unused vacation, and what happens to your health insurance.
2. Final paycheck: federal law doesn't require it right away, but some states do. If your regular payday for the last pay period passes and you haven't been paid, contact the DOL's Wage and Hour Division or your state labor department. Source: DOL³
3. Unused vacation: federal law doesn't require paying it out. It depends on your employer's policy and state law. Source: DOL⁴
4. File for unemployment right away. It pays if you lose your job through no fault of your own, and each state runs its own program and sets its own rules. In most cases, file in the state where you worked. Source: USAGov¹ Find your state's office through CareerOneStop.
5. Expect requirements. Many states require that you earned a certain amount or worked consistently over the last 12 to 24 months, and that you look for a new job. Source: USAGov¹
6. Health insurance: COBRA may let you keep your job's plan for a limited time. Source: DOL⁵ Under 26, a parent's plan may be cheaper. Losing coverage also lets you enroll in a Marketplace plan within 60 days. Source: HealthCare.gov⁷ Compare them in Health insurance options.
7. Make a bare-bones budget: rent, food, utilities, phone, transportation, minimum debt payments. See Your first budget in 20 minutes.

An email to HR to get it in writing

Subject: Final pay and benefits, [your name]

Hi [name],

To make sure I have everything right: my last day was [date]. Could you confirm in writing
• the reason for my separation,
• when and how I'll receive my final paycheck and any unused vacation,
• when my health insurance ends, and how to get COBRA information?

Thank you,
[name] · [phone]

A text to a friend

Hey, I lost my job today. I'm OK, just processing. Could we grab food this week? I could use the company.

This week's checklist

• Day 1: email HR (above) and file for unemployment
• Day 2: decide on health insurance
• Day 3: bare-bones budget; pause what you can
• Day 4: update your resume while it's fresh
• Day 5: tell five people you're looking

If it doesn't work

• Unemployment denied? Read the letter for the appeal deadline and appeal in writing before it passes. Your state sets the rules. Source: USAGov¹
• Think you were fired for discrimination or for reporting a problem? That's different from an ordinary firing. Source: DOL⁵ See Discrimination and harassment at work.
• Feeling flattened? That's normal. See Bouncing back after a setback.