Free checklist · For employees
Your first 72 hours after a layoff
A calm, day-by-day list of what to do first — so the deadlines that matter don't slip while you're taking in the news.
01
Day 1 — Get it in writing, then file
- Ask for the details in writing: your last day, final paycheck date, any severance offer, when your health coverage ends, and how unused PTO is handled.
- Don't sign a severance agreement on the spot. If you're 40 or over, the law gives you at least 21 days to consider it (45 if it's part of a group layoff) and 7 days to change your mind after signing. Whatever your age, ask how long you have.Source: EEOC — Waivers under the ADEA (29 CFR 1625.22)
- File for unemployment as soon as possible, in the state where you worked. The first payment usually arrives two to three weeks after you file.Source: U.S. Department of Labor — Unemployment insurance
- Find your state's filing page here.Source: CareerOneStop — Find your state's unemployment benefits
- Save your own records: recent pay stubs, your offer letter, reviews and colleagues' contact details. Personal files only — leave company data where it is.
Get days 2 and 3
Still to come:
- — Day 2 — Sort out health coverage
- — Day 3 — Make a money plan
Next time, have a cushion ready
CushionPay lets you set aside a little from each paycheck into an account in your name. If you're laid off, it pays out the same day the layoff is verified — and it comes with you if you change jobs.
General information, not legal, tax or benefits advice. Rules change and vary by state, plan and situation — check the linked sources and talk to a qualified adviser. Sources checked September 2026.