Recently lost your job? A calm first-week guide for California
If your job just ended — whether from a layoff, company closure, or automation — you do not have to figure out your whole career today. Focus on three things this week: stabilizing your income and health coverage, protecting your paperwork, and choosing one calm next step.
Days 1–2: Gather your employment records & check your final pay
- Save copies of your recent pay stubs, W-2 or 1099 forms, and any written layoff or termination notice while you still have access to employee portals.
- Write down your employer’s legal name, payroll address (from your pay stub), and the exact dates you worked over the past 18 months.
- In California, if you are laid off or discharged, final wages (including accrued vacation) are generally due immediately at the time of termination under California Labor Code §§ 201–203. If your employer did not pay final wages, check the California Labor Commissioner’s Office (DIR) below.
- If your layoff affected 50 or more employees at a covered California facility (or 75+ employees under Cal-WARN), check whether 60-day advance notice or back pay applies under the California WARN Act.
Days 2–3: Apply for California Unemployment Insurance (EDD) as soon as possible
- File your Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim with the California Employment Development Department (EDD) during the first week you are unemployed or working reduced hours. Your claim starts the week you file, not the week you lost your job.
- Apply only on the official myEDD portal (edd.ca.gov). Filing is always 100% free — never pay a website or service to submit an unemployment claim.
- When you file, EDD will ask you to register on CalJOBS (caljobs.ca.gov) within 21 days unless exempt. Completing your CalJOBS registration early prevents benefit delays.
Days 4–5: Protect your health coverage and household budget
- Losing job-based health insurance qualifies you for a 60-day Special Enrollment Period on Covered California (coveredca.com), and Medi-Cal is open year-round based on current monthly income.
- Compare Covered California / Medi-Cal against COBRA continuation coverage before paying a high COBRA bill.
- If money is tight while waiting for EDD processing, check CalFresh food benefits (getcalfresh.org) and dial 211 (or visit 211ca.org) for utility bill discounts (CARE/FERA) and local county assistance.
Days 6–7: Ask about free retraining (WIOA & California Training Benefits)
- Contact your nearest America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) and ask to speak with a Dislocated Worker specialist about WIOA training grants.
- Ask EDD and your local AJCC about the California Training Benefits (CTB) program, which allows eligible claimants to attend approved training while continuing to receive unemployment benefits.
- When you feel ready, use JOBUS Guided Start to review the skills you already have and compare realistic next directions at your own pace.
Support & Benefits Directory
California EDD — File for Unemployment Insurance (UI) ↗
File an unemployment claim online via myEDD or by phone if you lost your job or had your hours reduced through no fault of your own.
Phone: 1-800-300-5616
California Training Benefits (CTB) ↗
Allows eligible California unemployment recipients to attend approved job training or school while continuing to receive unemployment benefits.
Phone: 1-800-300-5616
America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) Finder ↗
Free local career centers in every California county offering one-on-one career advising, resume help, computers, and WIOA training grants.
Phone: 1-877-872-5627
CalJOBS — California’s Official Workforce System ↗
Register your resume for California UI requirements, browse approved training providers, and connect with AJCC career specialists.
Phone: 1-800-758-0398
CareerOneStop — U.S. Department of Labor ↗
National directory of American Job Centers, laid-off worker guides, scholarship finders, and occupation skill comparisons.
Phone: 1-877-872-5627
Covered California & Medi-Cal Enrollment ↗
Losing employer health insurance qualifies you for Special Enrollment. One application checks both Medi-Cal (free/no-cost) and subsidized health plans.
Phone: 1-800-300-1506
When you are ready for your next work step
Information only: eligibility rules and benefit amounts are decided solely by the official agency (such as California EDD, DHCS, or DIR). Always apply directly on official .gov websites and never pay a third party to file unemployment or benefit claims.