Laid Off? What to Do Next (Step-by-Step for 2025)

Losing your job can feel like the floor just fell out from under you. One minute you're planning dinner or checking your schedule—and the next, you're staring at a layoff notice, wondering how you're going to pay rent, buy groceries, or keep your phone connected.

Take a deep breath. This guide will walk you through exactly what to do after a layoff in 2025—step by step. No fluff, no jargon—just clear instructions for what to do right now, and how to protect your income, your mental health, and your next move.

You’re not alone. You’re not a failure. And you have options.

🛑 Step 1: Don’t Panic—Get Grounded

This is a shock. Give yourself a minute to feel it.

It’s normal to be scared, angry, or numb. You don’t need to solve everything today. You just need to start. One small action at a time will move you forward.

📌 Your goal right now: Cover your basic needs while securing short-term income and benefits.

🧾 Step 2: Review What You’ve Been Given (And What You Haven’t)

Whether you were laid off in person, by email, or with no warning at all—get clarity on what you're entitled to.

Check for:

• Severance pay (sometimes called “termination pay”)

• Unpaid vacation days or final paycheck

• Health insurance continuation options (like COBRA in the U.S. or provincial extensions in Canada)

• Company-provided job placement help or references

• Your final pay stub or ROE (Record of Employment) if in Canada

📌 Tip: Keep all emails, documents, and communication about your layoff. Take screenshots if needed.

💰 Step 3: Apply for Unemployment Benefits Immediately

Don’t wait. The sooner you apply, the sooner you get money in your hands.

U.S. Residents:

• Apply through your state’s unemployment website

• You’ll need your Social Security number, past job info, and reason for job loss

• You may need to verify your identity online (e.g., through ID.me)

🖱️ Find your state’s site here: CareerOneStop.org

Canadian Residents:

• Apply through Service Canada for Employment Insurance (EI)

• You'll need your SIN, direct deposit info, and ROE

• Even if you don’t have your Record of Employment yet, you can still apply now

🖱️ Start here: Canada.ca – EI Regular Benefits

📌 Benefits often take 1–3 weeks to process, so apply immediately even if you’re unsure about eligibility.

🧮 Step 4: Make a Bare-Bones Budget

Now that your income is uncertain, you need a survival plan. That means stripping your budget down to the essentials.

Focus on:

• Rent/mortgage

• Utilities (heat, electricity, water)

• Groceries

• Phone/internet (if needed for job search)

• Transportation

📌 Pause or cancel everything else: subscriptions, memberships, dining out, non-essential shopping.

🏠 Step 5: Protect Your Essentials (And Ask for Help If Needed)

You don’t need to face this alone. If you're struggling to cover basic needs, use every resource available.

Housing:

• Talk to your landlord—ask about partial payments, grace periods, or rent relief

• Look into local renter assistance programs

• In some cities, nonprofits offer legal help for tenants

Utilities:

• Ask your provider about payment plans or low-income discounts

• Apply for energy assistance programs (like LIHEAP in the U.S. or LEAP in Canada)

Food:

• Visit 211.org or 211.ca for food banks near you

• Apply for SNAP (U.S.) or check provincial food programs (Canada)

📌 This is not weakness. This is survival. Use the system—it’s there for a reason.

📱 Step 6: Update Your Resume and Online Profiles

When you’re ready, it’s time to get back out there.

Start here:

• Update your resume with your most recent job

• Add any freelance work, caregiving, or side gigs if applicable

• Polish your LinkedIn profile (or create one)

• Ask for recommendations or endorsements from former coworkers

📌 Keep it honest, simple, and focused on what you actually did and achieved.

💼 Step 7: Start Job Hunting (Strategically)

Apply early—but don’t apply blindly.

Good places to start:

• Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn (set up alerts)

• Your city or province’s job board

• Local Facebook job groups

• Ask former coworkers if they’ve heard of openings

• Check for gig work if you need quick cash: Instacart, Uber Eats, dog walking, tutoring

📌 Apply to at least 3–5 jobs per day, but prioritize quality over quantity. Tailor your resume and cover letter when possible.

🛠️ Step 8: Consider Short-Term Income (While You Search)

You don’t need a perfect new job—you just need a way to get through this month.

Ideas for quick income:

• Deliver food or groceries (DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, Instacart)

• Babysit, pet sit, mow lawns, or shovel snow

• Clean houses, offer handyman services, or organize closets

• Sell stuff you don’t use on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist

• Apply for temp jobs or part-time hours while you search full-time

Even $100 a week can be a lifeline.

🧠 Step 9: Take Care of Your Mental Health

Losing a job isn’t just a financial hit—it’s emotional too.

You might feel:

• Embarrassed

• Depressed

• Stuck

• Anxious about the future

All of that is normal.

Mental health tips:

• Stick to a routine (wake up, get dressed, move your body)

• Journal or talk to a friend

• Take breaks—don’t spend 8 hours a day refreshing job boards

• Use free mental health resources (text, chat, or call support lines)

📌 U.S.: Try MentalHealth.gov or call/text 988
📌 Canada: Try WellnessTogether.ca

🧩 Bonus: Know Your Rights and Watch Out for Scams

When you're unemployed, you're vulnerable—and scammers know it.

Be cautious of:

• Job postings that require you to pay up front

• Recruiters who want personal info too early

• Promises of “guaranteed income” for a fee

Also:

• Check if your employer followed proper layoff laws

• If you were laid off unfairly, contact a free legal aid clinic in your area

📌 U.S.: Try LawHelp.org
📌 Canada: Try your provincial legal aid website (e.g., Legal Aid Ontario)

✅ Final Thoughts: You Will Get Through This

A layoff can feel like the end of the road—but it’s not. It’s a rough detour. You’re still in control of your next steps, even if it doesn’t feel like it today.

This is hard. But you are not powerless. You are doing the brave thing: starting over.

Take it one step at a time.
One resume at a time.
One bill at a time.
One breath at a time.

You will figure it out. You are not alone.

📌 Quick Recap: What to Do After a Layoff in 2025

1. Take a breath and accept the shock—then start moving

2. Review your severance, final pay, and benefits

3. Apply for unemployment benefits immediately

4. Create a bare-bones survival budget

5. Protect your essentials—rent, food, bills

6. Update your resume and online profiles

7. Start your job search (with intention)

8. Use temp jobs, gigs, or selling items to stay afloat

9. Prioritize your mental health

10. Watch for scams and know your rights