I Just Got Laid Off: Your Central Valley Survival Guide

If you just got laid off, I'm sorry. It sucks. Even if you saw it coming, even if the job wasn't great, losing your income is scary.

Take a breath. You're going to be okay. Here's exactly what to do, step by step.

The First 48 Hours

Before you do anything else:

1. Don't sign anything yet. If they're asking you to sign a severance agreement or release, you usually have time (often 21 days). Take it home and read it carefully. You might be signing away rights to unemployment or future claims.
2. Get your documents. Before you lose access: download pay stubs, get copies of any performance reviews, save contact info for coworkers who could be references.
3. Ask about COBRA. If you had health insurance through work, you can continue it (you pay the full premium). It's expensive, but it's an option while you figure things out.
4. File for unemployment immediately. Don't wait. There's a waiting period, and benefits are backdated to when you file, not when you lost your job.

Filing for Unemployment in California

California unemployment (EDD) can be frustrating, but the money helps. Here's what you need to know:

How to File

Go to edd.ca.gov/unemployment
You'll need: Social Security number, driver's license, last employer info, and work history for the past 18 months
File online — it's faster than phone or mail
Best time to file: Tuesday-Thursday (Monday and Friday are busiest)

What You'll Get

Weekly benefit: About 60-70% of your weekly earnings, up to $450/week max (as of 2024)
Duration: Usually 26 weeks
Waiting period: First week is unpaid
Certification: You must certify every two weeks that you're looking for work

Common EDD Issues

If your claim gets stuck or you need to talk to a person:

Call early: Lines open at 8am. Call at 8:01am on Tuesday-Thursday for best odds
Keep records: Write down confirmation numbers, dates, who you talked to
Be patient but persistent: If you're stuck in "pending," keep certifying and calling

Health Insurance Options

Losing job-based health insurance is stressful. Your options:

COBRA

Continue your employer's plan for up to 18 months. You pay the full premium (often $500-1500/month for a family). Expensive but keeps your same doctors and coverage.

Good for: Short job gaps, ongoing medical treatment, expensive prescriptions

Covered California

California's health insurance marketplace. Losing your job qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period. Subsidies available based on income.

Good for: Most people, especially if you qualify for subsidies

Medi-Cal

California's Medicaid program. Free or very low cost if your income qualifies (which it might while unemployed).

Good for: Low or no income during job search

Spouse's Plan

Losing your job is a qualifying event to join a spouse's or domestic partner's employer plan.

Good for: If your partner has good coverage

Budgeting for Unemployment

Real talk: unemployment checks don't replace your full income. You need to cut spending fast.

Priority Order:

1. Housing — Pay rent/mortgage first. If you can't, talk to your landlord NOW. Many prefer a payment plan over eviction.
2. Utilities — PG&E and water companies have hardship programs. Call them before you miss a payment.
3. Food — Apply for CalFresh (food stamps) immediately. No shame in it — that's what it's for.
4. Car/transportation — If your car is essential for job searching, keep it running. Otherwise, consider what you can cut.
5. Everything else — Subscriptions, dining out, extras — pause it all for now.

Local Resources in the 209

Food banks: Emergency Food Bank of Stockton, Modesto Gospel Mission, Second Harvest
Utility assistance: HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program), PG&E CARE program
Rent assistance: Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) for local programs
CalFresh: Apply at BenefitsCal.com — don't wait until you're desperate

The Job Search: Do This First

Before you start mass-applying to jobs, do these things:

1. Update Your Resume

Your resume probably needs work. Use our free AI Resume Review to get instant feedback on what to fix.

2. Figure Out What You Actually Want

Getting laid off is a chance to ask: Do I want another job like the one I just had? Or is this an opportunity to change direction?

Don't just panic-apply to everything. A focused job search is more effective than a scattered one.

3. Tell People You're Looking

Text your contacts. Post on LinkedIn (if you use it). Tell family, friends, former coworkers. Most jobs come through connections, not applications.

Something simple: "Hey, I was recently laid off from [Company] and I'm looking for [type of role]. If you hear of anything or know anyone I should talk to, I'd really appreciate it."

4. Join Our Talent Pool

Let verified 209 employers find you instead of the other way around. Upload your resume once, get matched to local opportunities.

Job Search Strategy

Here's a realistic approach to finding your next job:

Quality over quantity. 10 tailored applications beat 100 generic ones. Use our Job Fit Analyzer to focus on jobs where you actually have a shot.
Local is often faster. Small and medium businesses in the 209 hire quicker than big corporations. Check our local job board.
Follow up. If you apply and don't hear back in a week, a polite follow-up email can help.
Keep a spreadsheet. Track what you applied to, when, and any responses. It's easy to lose track.
Set a schedule. Treat job searching like a job. 3-4 hours of focused work is better than all-day stress.

Free Career Resources

Take advantage of these while you're job searching:

Free LinkedIn Learning — Your library card gets you free access to thousands of courses
San Joaquin County Employment Office — Free resume help, job fairs, training programs
America's Job Center (EDD) — Workshops, networking events, job leads
Our Resume Review Tool — Free AI-powered feedback on your resume

Jobs by City

Looking for work in a specific area? Check out our city guides:

Stockton Modesto Tracy Manteca Lodi Turlock Merced

Take Care of Yourself

This part is important. Job loss is one of life's most stressful events. It can mess with your head.

Keep a routine. Wake up at the same time, shower, get dressed. Structure helps.
Move your body. Walk, exercise, get outside. It helps with stress and mood.
Stay connected. Isolation makes everything worse. Talk to people.
Limit news/social media. Doom-scrolling doesn't help. Give yourself breaks.
It's okay to not be okay. This is hard. If you're struggling, reach out to a counselor or call 988 (mental health crisis line).

You're Going to Get Through This

I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but you will find another job. The Central Valley economy is growing. Employers are hiring. It just takes time.

Focus on what you can control: file for unemployment, cut expenses, update your resume, apply strategically. One step at a time.

Need to talk through your situation? Email us: hello@209.works