I lost my job

1
Step 1 of 5: Get your final paycheck
Your last check has a deadline.
- Final PaycheckYour job ended. Your last paycheck has a deadline, and California law sets it. Fired or laid off? Your pay is due that same day. Quit? It depends on how much notice you gave. Paid late? Your employer may owe you extra. Here is when your money is due and what to do if it does not come.Guide
- Letter asking for my final payPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
2
Step 2 of 5: Look for income help
Pick the one that fits you.
Do one of these:
- UnemploymentLost your job, or left it? You may still get unemployment, even if you were fired or you quit. What matters is why the job ended, and whether you had permission to work when you earned your wages. Here is how to tell if you qualify, how to apply, and what to do if your wages are missing from your claim.Guide
- Job Loss Help Without UnemploymentLosing a job is hard. Losing it when unemployment is not open to you is harder. But you are not out of options. You can still collect every dollar you earned, and your family may still get food, health care, cash aid for your children and tax refunds. Here is where to turn, one step at a time.Guide
3
Step 3 of 5: Keep your health coverage
Losing a job does not have to mean losing care.
- Health coverage after a job lossLosing a job does not have to mean losing your family's health care. You may be able to keep your work plan through COBRA or Cal-COBRA, switch to Covered California, or get Medi-Cal, and your children can get Medi-Cal whatever their status. The clock starts the day your coverage ends, so here is how to compare your choices and act in time.Guide
- Health coverage after a job loss checklistPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
4
Step 4 of 5: Before you sign anything
Read this if you were offered severance.
- Should I sign a severance agreement?A severance agreement is a trade. Your employer offers money or benefits, and you usually give up the right to sue. You do not have to sign the same day, and in California you get at least five business days to decide. Here is what to look for, what the law will not let your employer take, and how to ask for more.Guide
- Severance review checklistPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
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Step 5 of 5: Get help from a person
You do not have to do this alone. Ask about cost, languages and current openings before you share documents.
- California EDDOfficial unemployment information, job services, and guidance for navigating an existing claim.Organization
- Legal Aid at WorkFree legal information and advice for low-income California workers about pay, discrimination, leave and retaliation, with help in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese and other languages. Call 415-864-8848 or start online.Organization

This page puts DNLH guides in a useful order. It is general information, not legal advice. Each guide shows its sources and the date its facts were checked.

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Step 1 of 5: Get your final paycheck

Step 2 of 5: Look for income help

Step 3 of 5: Keep your health coverage

Step 4 of 5: Before you sign anything

Step 5 of 5: Get help from a person

Not quite your situation?

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