# You lost your job: the first 30 days

Research notes for a free public help page. Checked November 14, 2026. Each fact: (source, URL, date checked) [primary/secondary]. "Not confirmed" means I could not open a primary source for it.

## (a) Unemployment insurance

Apply right away, the first day you are out of work if you can. Each state runs its own program.
- Find your state's site: "To apply for unemployment benefits, select the state where you worked." (CareerOneStop Unemployment Benefits Finder, https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/find-unemployment-benefits.aspx, linked from DOL; opened via its mirror https://cloudfront.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/Find-Unemployment-Benefits.aspx, Nov 14, 2026) [primary: DOL-sponsored per DOL's link]
- File with the state where you worked. If you worked in more than one state, or live in a different state, your home state's agency can explain how to file. "You should contact your state's unemployment insurance program as soon as possible after becoming unemployed." The first payment generally takes two to three weeks after filing. (DOL, Unemployment Insurance topic page, no date shown, https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Why right away: in many states your claim starts the week you apply, not the day you lost your job. Washington, for example, tells people to apply "so that it starts the Sunday of the first week you want to claim benefits." (Washington ESD, When to apply or restart your claim, released Aug 27, 2025, https://esd.wa.gov/node/1060, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] A national rule on backdating does not exist; some states allow it for good cause (not confirmed state by state). Do not publish "benefits never backdate"; say "usually start from the week you apply."
- Waiting week: some states have an unpaid one-week waiting period, so the second week you claim is the first paid week. (DOL ETA, State Unemployment Insurance Benefits fact sheet, updated Sept 11, 2026, https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/uifactsheet.asp, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Washington has one. (Washington ESD, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Eligibility basics: you must have earned enough in a "base period" (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters) and be "unemployed through no fault of your own," as decided under state law. (DOL ETA fact sheet, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
  - Laid off (lack of work): usually the clearest case. (DOL ETA fact sheet, "no fault of your own," Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
  - Quit or fired: you may still qualify. California: "Even if you quit, were fired, or were incorrectly classified by your employer as an independent contractor, you may still qualify," and "There is no penalty for applying even if we determine you are not eligible." (California EDD, Filing an Unemployment Claim, https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing_a_Claim.htm, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] In general, quitting without good cause or being fired for misconduct can disqualify you; the definitions are state law (not confirmed state by state). Advice: apply anyway and let the state decide.
- How long and how much: benefits are a percentage of recent earnings up to a state maximum, usually for up to "26 weeks in most States," with extra weeks sometimes available when unemployment is high. (DOL ETA fact sheet, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Several states pay fewer weeks (not confirmed which, as of today). [Flag: varies by state.]
- Severance and vacation pay: effect varies by state. New York example: severance paid within 30 days of your last day can delay benefits if the weekly amount (or a lump sum prorated by week) is more than the maximum weekly benefit rate; if the first payment comes more than 30 days after your last day, you can get benefits if otherwise eligible. (NY DOL, Dismissal or Severance Pay and Your UI Benefit, P825 rev. 3/22, https://dol.ny.gov/dismissal-or-severance-pay-and-your-ui-benefit-p825-english, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Other states treat it differently. Report all severance and vacation pay on your claim.
- Weekly or biweekly certification: after each week you must file a claim, answer eligibility questions and report any earnings, job offers or refusals of work. (DOL ETA fact sheet, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Keep filing every week until you go back to work, even while a decision is pending. (Washington ESD: "You need to file a weekly claim for each week you want to receive unemployment benefits," Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Work search: most states require it and require a record. New York: "Be actively seeking work" and "Keep a written record of your work search activities for each week you claim benefits." (NY DOL, Am I eligible for UI benefits?, https://dol.ny.gov/am-i-eligible-ui-benefits, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Rules on how many contacts per week vary by state (not confirmed).
- If denied: you have the right to appeal within a set time frame; the state will explain how. (DOL ETA fact sheet, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Appeal deadlines can be short (often weeks); check your notice.
- Taxes: benefits are subject to federal income tax and you can choose to have tax withheld. (DOL ETA fact sheet, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] See section (g).

## (b) Health coverage

Deadlines here are short and hard to fix later. Decide within 60 days.

**Marketplace (healthcare.gov or your state's marketplace)**
- Losing job-based coverage gives you a Special Enrollment Period: "You'll have 60 days to enroll in a Marketplace plan from the time your coverage ends," and you "can also pick a Marketplace plan up to 60 days before your coverage ends." (CMS, Losing job-based coverage, Product No. 11799, Sept 2025, https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/outreach-and-education/losing-job-based-coverage.pdf, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Leaving a job "for any reason (even if you quit or get fired)" qualifies. A Marketplace plan can start "the first day of the month after you lose your job-based coverage." (HealthCare.gov, If you lose job-based coverage, no date shown, https://www.healthcare.gov/have-job-based-coverage/if-you-lose-job-based-coverage/, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Voluntarily dropping coverage generally does not create a Special Enrollment Period. (CMS Product No. 11799, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Practical meaning: if you choose COBRA and later drop it mid-year just to save money, you may have to wait for Open Enrollment. Whether quitting COBRA voluntarily opens an SEP is not addressed on the pages I opened (not confirmed); COBRA running out at the end of its term does let you switch. (CMS Product No. 11799, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage began November 1, 2026 and runs to December 15, 2026 in most states. (KFF, 9 Things to Watch for the 2027 ACA Open Enrollment Period, Nov 6, 2026, https://kff.org/affordable-care-act/9-things-to-watch-for-the-2027-aca-open-enrollment-period/, Nov 14, 2026; dates also in Health Insurance Network guide, Sept 2026, https://healthinsurancenetwork.org/guide/will-aca-subsidies-come-back, Nov 14, 2026) [secondary] HealthCare.gov's own dates page was not opened (not confirmed at primary level). State marketplaces can set longer windows.

**Premium tax credits in 2026: what Congress did**
- The enhanced premium tax credits (from 2021 and extended through 2025) ended on December 31, 2025, and the 400 percent of poverty income cap returned on January 1, 2026. (Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, FAQs about Premium Tax Credits and 2026 Coverage, no date shown, https://healthcare.oregon.gov/marketplace/blog/Pages/FAQs-about-Premium-Tax-Credits-and-2026-Coverage.aspx, Nov 14, 2026) [primary: state agency, written before the expiration]
- Congress has not restored them. The House passed a three-year extension on January 8, 2026 (230 to 196); the Senate had not voted as of late September 2026 and nothing was law. (Health Insurance Network guide, updated Sept 2026, Nov 14, 2026) [secondary] (CNBC, Jan 8, 2026, https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/08/obamacare-subsidies-extension-congress.html, listed in search, not opened) KFF on Nov 6, 2026 describes the enhanced credits as expired and analyzes 2027 assuming they stay lapsed; people above 400 percent of the poverty level do not qualify for premium tax credits. (KFF, Nov 6, 2026, Nov 14, 2026) [secondary] I did not find a Congress.gov record of an enacted extension (not confirmed at primary level; most likely to change).
- Also from KFF (secondary): starting with tax year 2026, the caps on paying back excess premium tax credits were removed, so estimate your income carefully when you apply, especially if you might get a new job later in the year. (KFF, Nov 6, 2026, Nov 14, 2026) [secondary] IRS confirmation not opened (not confirmed at primary level).
- Why it matters after a job loss: Marketplace help is based on expected income for the whole year, so a lower income after a layoff can mean a large credit, or Medicaid. (General explanation; HealthCare.gov notes Marketplace plans "may offer premium tax credits ... based on income," Nov 14, 2026) [primary]

**Medicaid**
- "You can apply for and enroll in Medicaid or CHIP any time," with no special enrollment period needed. (CMS Product No. 11799, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Eligibility is based on current monthly income and varies a lot by state (expansion vs non-expansion). [Flag: big state differences.]
- Starting in 2027, states must apply Medicaid work requirements; people who lose or are denied Medicaid only for that reason will not get Marketplace premium tax credits in those states. (KFF, Nov 6, 2026, Nov 14, 2026) [secondary]

**COBRA**
- Applies to private employers and unions with 20 or more employees, and state and local governments (not the federal government or church plans). Job loss for any reason except gross misconduct is a qualifying event. (DOL EBSA, FAQs on COBRA Continuation Health Coverage for Workers, no date shown, https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/cobra-continuation-health-coverage-workers, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- You have 60 days to elect, counted from the later of when coverage ends or when the election notice is given. The plan must send the election notice within 44 days after the qualifying event. (DOL EBSA FAQs, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Coverage is retroactive to the day job coverage ended once you elect and pay. You have 45 days after electing to make the first payment. Later payments have a 30-day grace period. (DOL EBSA FAQs, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Plain meaning: you can wait to see if you need care, but miss the deadlines and you lose it.
- Cost: up to 102 percent of the total premium (your old share plus the employer's share plus 2 percent); up to 150 percent during a disability extension. An employer may pay some or all of it as part of severance. (DOL EBSA FAQs, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Length: 18 months after job loss; extensions of up to 29 months for disability and 36 months after a second qualifying event. (DOL EBSA FAQs, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Choosing COBRA does not stop you from enrolling in a Marketplace plan later if you qualify for a new special enrollment period. You must pick a Marketplace plan within 60 days of losing job coverage. (DOL EBSA FAQs, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]

**State mini-COBRA**
- Some states have "mini-COBRA" laws that cover smaller employers; check with your state insurance commissioner. (DOL EBSA FAQs, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] No official all-state table found (not confirmed). [Flag: varies by state.]

## (c) Your final paycheck and unused vacation

[Flag: this varies a lot by state.]
- Federal law does not require an employer to give your final paycheck immediately; "Some states, however, may require immediate payment." If the regular payday for your last pay period has passed and you have not been paid, contact the DOL Wage and Hour Division or your state labor department. (DOL, Last Paycheck, no date shown, https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/lastpaycheck, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] State labor department contacts: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/contacts (linked from that page, Nov 14, 2026) [primary; list itself not opened]
- Unused vacation: the federal Fair Labor Standards Act "does not require payment for time not worked, such as vacations"; these benefits "are matters of agreement between an employer and an employee." (DOL, Vacation Leave, https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/benefits-leave/vacation_leave, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] So whether accrued vacation is paid out depends on state law and your employer's written policy.
- Official state table: I found no DOL table of final-pay deadlines or vacation payout by state. The tables online are from payroll companies (secondary, not used). Point readers to their state labor department.
- Example of how strict a state can be, California: an employee who is fired or laid off "must be paid all wages due at the time of termination"; earned, unused vacation counts as wages and must be paid; an employer that willfully pays late can owe up to 30 days of wages as a penalty. California does not require payout of unused sick leave. (California Labor Commissioner, Final Pay fact sheet, rev. Jan 2011, https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/finalpay.pdf, Nov 14, 2026) [primary, but an older document; Labor Code sections 201, 203, 227.3 cited in it]
- Many other states only require payment by the next regular payday, and some do not require vacation payout at all if the policy says so (general; not confirmed state by state).

## (d) Severance agreements

- What a release is: a contract term where you give up the right to sue your employer over claims connected to your job, including discrimination claims, usually in exchange for severance pay or benefits beyond what you are already owed. (EEOC, Q&A: Understanding Waivers of Discrimination Claims in Employee Severance Agreements, July 15, 2009, https://www.eeoc.gov/node/130190, Nov 14, 2026) [primary; older document, still on EEOC site]
- Severance itself is generally not required by federal law (DOL page not opened this session: not confirmed). Pay you have already earned (final wages, and accrued vacation where state law or policy requires it) should not depend on signing. (General; see section (c).)
- If you are 40 or older (Older Workers Benefit Protection Act), for a release of age discrimination claims to be valid it must (EEOC Q&A, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]:
  - be written in plain language;
  - specifically name the Age Discrimination in Employment Act;
  - advise you in writing to consult a lawyer;
  - give you at least 21 days to consider it, or 45 days if you are part of a group layoff or exit incentive program;
  - give you 7 days after signing to revoke, which cannot be shortened or waived;
  - not waive claims that arise after you sign;
  - give you something beyond what you are already entitled to.
  - In a group layoff the employer must also disclose who was covered, the eligibility factors, and the job titles and ages of those selected and not selected.
- Rights you keep: no agreement can stop you from filing a charge with the EEOC or taking part in an EEOC proceeding. (EEOC Q&A, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Ask for time and negotiate: if rushed, ask for more time, preferably in writing; consider having a lawyer review it, including whether to ask for changes. Group exit program terms are typically non-negotiable. (EEOC Q&A, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Common asks (general, not from a cited source): more weeks of pay, employer-paid COBRA (the DOL notes an employer may pay COBRA as severance, see section (b)), a neutral reference, keeping your laptop or phone number, and not contesting unemployment.
- Check how severance affects unemployment in your state before signing (see section (a), New York example).

## (e) The WARN Act

- Employers with 100 or more employees (not counting most part-time workers) must give at least 60 calendar days' written notice of a plant closing or a mass layoff affecting 50 or more employees at a single site. Exceptions: unforeseeable business circumstances, faltering companies, natural disasters. (DOL, Plant Closings and Layoffs, no date shown, https://www.dol.gov/node/21784, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Definitions: plant closing means a shutdown at a single site causing job loss for at least 50 full-time workers; mass layoff means 500 or more full-time workers, or 50 to 499 if that is at least 33 percent of the site's full-time workforce. Pay in place of notice does not satisfy the notice rule. (DOL ETA, Worker's Guide to WARN, about 2003, https://dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/layoff/pdfs/WorkerWARN2003.pdf, Nov 14, 2026) [primary, old document; core rules are statutory (29 U.S.C. 2101 and following, statute not opened)]
- Remedy: if the employer breaks the rule, each affected worker can get back pay and benefits for up to 60 days. Workers sue in federal district court, alone or as a class. The DOL "has no enforcement role in seeking damages for workers." (DOL Plant Closings page and Worker's Guide, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- State mini-WARN laws: "Some states also have their own plant closure laws," which can cover smaller employers or require longer notice; ask your state dislocated worker unit. (DOL Plant Closings page, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] No official all-state list found (not confirmed). [Flag: varies by state.]
- Practical use: WARN notices are public in many states (state labor department pages), and a WARN layoff usually triggers state "Rapid Response" help with job search and training. (Connecticut DOL Rapid Response WARN page listed in search: https://portal.ct.gov/dol/divisions/rapid-response/warn, not opened: not confirmed)

## (f) Retirement accounts

Do nothing fast. Leaving the money where it is, for now, is usually allowed and costs nothing.
- Options for a 401(k) after you leave: leave it in the plan (if allowed), roll it into an IRA or a new employer's plan, or cash out. (General; IRS Topic 413 below describes rollovers.)
- Direct rollover is safest: the plan sends the money straight to the new plan or IRA. If the plan pays you instead, it must generally withhold 20 percent for taxes, and you have "60 days from the date you receive it to roll it over"; to avoid tax on the full amount you must make up the withheld 20 percent from other money. (IRS, Topic no. 413 Rollovers from retirement plans, last reviewed Oct 8, 2026, https://www.irs.gov/node/68111, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] A missed 60-day deadline can sometimes be fixed through a waiver. (same) [primary]
- Cashing out: money not rolled over is taxable income that year, and if you are under 59 and a half it may also be hit with a 10 percent additional tax unless an exception applies. (IRS Topic 413, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- "Rule of 55": distributions after you separate from service with your employer in or after the year you turn 55 are exempt from the 10 percent additional tax, for employer plans like a 401(k), not IRAs. Age 50 for certain public safety workers. (IRS, Topic no. 558, last reviewed Nov 9, 2026, https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc558, Nov 14, 2026; IRS, Retirement topics: Exceptions to tax on early distributions, last reviewed Nov 13, 2026, https://www.irs.gov/node/4008, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Plain warning: rolling the 401(k) into an IRA loses the rule-of-55 exception for that money.
- Other exceptions worth knowing: one emergency personal expense distribution per year, up to $1,000, is exempt from the 10 percent tax (distributions after 2023); from an IRA, health insurance premiums paid while unemployed (after 12 weeks of unemployment compensation) are exempt. (IRS node/4008, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Note: the version of node/4008 I opened displayed a "historical, no longer updated" label; Topic 558 (reviewed Nov 9, 2026) confirms the age 55 rule.
- 401(k) loans can come due: if you leave with an unpaid plan loan, the plan may offset it (treat the balance as a distribution). For a qualified plan loan offset "you have until the due date (including extensions) for the tax year in which the offset occurs" to roll over that amount and avoid tax. (IRS Topic 413, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Ask your plan how long you have to repay before the offset.

## (g) Taxes

- "Unemployment compensation is taxable income" for federal tax. You will get Form 1099-G showing benefits paid (Box 1) and tax withheld (Box 4). (IRS, Unemployment compensation, last reviewed Aug 13, 2026, https://www.irs.gov/uc, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- To have federal tax withheld, give Form W-4V to the agency paying your benefits (not to the IRS); the rate is a flat 10 percent. Or make quarterly estimated tax payments instead. (IRS /uc page, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] (IRS news release IR-2020-185, Aug 18, 2020, marked historical, for the 10 percent rate: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-unemployment-compensation-is-taxable-have-tax-withheld-now-and-avoid-a-tax-time-surprise, Nov 14, 2026) [primary but historical; the 10 percent rate is also printed on Form W-4V itself, not opened: confirm before publishing]
- State income tax on unemployment differs by state; the IRS page does not cover it. (IRS /uc, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] [Flag: varies by state.]
- If you get a 1099-G for benefits you never received, someone may have filed in your name: contact your state agency and follow the DOL's unemployment identity theft steps. (IRS /uc, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Severance is taxed as wages; a retirement cash-out is taxable (section (f)). Health premium tax credits are reconciled at tax time and, from tax year 2026, without repayment caps (KFF, section (b)) [secondary].

## (h) Other help

**Food: SNAP**
- Apply through your state SNAP agency (state agency directory on the USDA site; directory itself not opened: not confirmed URL). Income after a layoff can make you eligible quickly, and some states offer expedited benefits within days (general; not confirmed state by state).
- Work rules: general work requirements apply to ages 16 to 59 who can work; able-bodied adults without dependents ("ABAWDs") can get SNAP for only three months in three years unless they work or train 80 hours a month. (USDA FNS, SNAP Work Requirements, updated Nov 3, 2026, https://www.fna.usda.gov/snap/work-requirements, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Changed in 2025: the July 4, 2025 federal law (the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which USDA pages now call the Working Families Tax Cut Act) raised the ABAWD time-limit age to 64, narrowed the dependent-child exception to households with a child under 14, and removed the exceptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness and former foster youth, effective on enactment. (USDA FNS memo, Oct 3, 2025, https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/guidance-documents/fns.snap-obbb-abawd-exceptions-implementation.pdf, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- CONFLICT: the USDA SNAP Work Requirements page (updated Nov 3, 2026) still lists the ABAWD age range as 18 to 54 and still lists veterans, homelessness and foster youth as exemptions, and says USDA is "preparing guidance" on the new law's changes. (same page, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] I could not resolve which is current. For the public page, do not print specific ages; say "work rules changed in 2025; ask your state SNAP office."

**211**
- Dial 211 (or text or web chat) to reach trained local specialists, 24/7, who connect people with local help for housing, food, health care and utility bills; calls are confidential and can be anonymous. Find your local 211 at 211.org. (211.org About Us, https://www.211.org/about-us, Nov 14, 2026) [secondary: run by United Way and local partners, not a government agency] The page does not say the service is free (not confirmed; it is generally described as free).

**Energy bills: LIHEAP**
- LIHEAP is federally funded help with heating and cooling bills, shutoff prevention, weatherization and heating repairs. Apply through your state or local agency; find it at energyhelp.us or call the National Energy Assistance Referral line, 1-866-674-6327, weekdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. LIHEAP never charges a fee or gives grants directly to individuals; report anyone who asks for payment to the HHS fraud hotline, 1-800-447-8477. (HHS ACF, LIHEAP program page, no date shown, https://acf.gov/ocs/programs/liheap, Nov 14, 2026) [primary] Funding and staffing status for the 2026 to 2027 winter: not confirmed.
- Also ask your utility directly about hardship payment plans and state shutoff protections in winter (general; varies by state).

**Mortgage**
- Contact your mortgage servicer right away; "the worst thing you can do is nothing." Ask about forbearance (payments paused or reduced for a limited time, not forgiven) and loan modification. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency can help at low or no cost: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor. (CFPB, Avoid foreclosure, modified Sept 30, 2026, https://www.consumerfinance.gov/housing/housing-insecurity/help-for-homeowners/avoid-foreclosure/, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Watch for foreclosure rescue scams: anyone charging upfront fees to "save" your home (general advice; no source opened this session).

**Rent**
- Talk to your landlord early and in writing; ask 211 about local emergency rental help. Federal pandemic rental aid programs have ended in most places (not confirmed). Eviction rules and timelines are state and local law. [Flag: varies by state and city.] No primary source opened for rent this session.

**Federal student loans (as of today)**
- The SAVE plan ended by court order in March 2026; borrowers get 90 days from their servicer's notice to pick a new plan, and all SAVE borrowers should be notified by end of 2026. For loans disbursed before July 1, 2026, the options include Standard, Graduated and Extended plans and the income-driven plans IBR, ICR, PAYE and the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP); ICR and PAYE end no later than July 1, 2028. Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026 have the Tiered Standard Plan as the only fixed option. (Federal Student Aid, SAVE Plan Borrowers FAQs, Oct 2026, https://studentaid.gov/articles/save/, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Income-driven plans base the payment on income, so after a job loss, recertifying income may lower the payment, possibly to $0 under some plans (general; exact rules per plan not confirmed this session).
- Unemployment deferment: you may qualify if you are unemployed or working under 30 hours a week; interest does not accrue on subsidized loans during deferment but does on others, and unpaid interest may be capitalized; forbearance can be granted up to 12 months at a time, with interest on all loans. (MOHELA, a federal loan servicer, Postpone Payments page, 2026, https://mohela.studentaid.gov/PostponePayments, Nov 14, 2026) [primary: federal servicer]
- Unemployment deferment generally lasts up to 3 years total, reapplied every 6 months; for new federal loans made on or after July 1, 2027, unemployment and economic hardship deferments will not be available (forbearance limited to 9 months in 24). (NerdWallet, updated Oct 27, 2026, https://www.nerdwallet.com/student-loans/learn/unemployment-deferment-student-loans, Nov 14, 2026) [secondary; not confirmed on studentaid.gov]
- Deferment and forbearance can affect progress toward PSLF and income-driven forgiveness. (studentaid.gov SAVE FAQs, Nov 14, 2026) [primary]
- Contact your servicer (find it at studentaid.gov). Private student loans follow the lender's rules.

## (i) Checklist: day 1, week 1, month 1

**Day 1 (or the first day you can)**
- [ ] Apply for unemployment in the state where you worked (find it at careeronestop.org, Unemployment Benefits Finder). Apply even if you quit or were fired; let the state decide. Benefits usually count from the week you apply. (Section a)
- [ ] Get in writing: your last day, the reason for separation, when your health coverage ends, your final paycheck date, and any severance offer.
- [ ] Do not sign a severance agreement on the spot. If you are 40 or older you get at least 21 days (45 in a group layoff) and 7 days to revoke after signing. Anyone can ask for more time. (Section d)
- [ ] Do not cash out your 401(k). (Section f)
- [ ] If you have a 401(k) loan, ask the plan how long you have before it is treated as a distribution. (Section f)

**Week 1**
- [ ] File your first weekly (or biweekly) certification on time and start a written work search log. (Section a)
- [ ] Health coverage: compare a Marketplace plan (60 days after coverage ends; can start the first of next month), Medicaid (any time), and COBRA (60 days to elect, retroactive, up to 102 percent of the premium). Remember the enhanced 2026 subsidies were not extended, so get a real quote. (Section b)
- [ ] Check your final paycheck and vacation payout against your state's rules; contact your state labor department if it is late. (Section c)
- [ ] Decide on federal tax withholding from unemployment (Form W-4V, 10 percent) or plan to make estimated payments. (Section g)
- [ ] Make a bare-bones budget. Call your mortgage servicer, landlord, utility and student loan servicer before you miss a payment. (Section h)
- [ ] If the layoff was big (50 or more at your site) and you got no notice, note it: WARN may apply. (Section e)

**Month 1**
- [ ] Health coverage chosen and paid (Marketplace plan picked, or COBRA elected within 60 days and first payment within 45 days after electing). (Section b)
- [ ] Severance: reviewed, ideally by a lawyer or legal aid; counteroffer sent if appropriate; signed or declined before the deadline. Report severance to the unemployment agency. (Sections a, d)
- [ ] Apply for SNAP and LIHEAP if your income now qualifies; call 211 for local help. (Section h)
- [ ] Student loans: recertify income for an income-driven plan, or ask about unemployment deferment. (Section h)
- [ ] If your unemployment claim is denied, file the appeal before the deadline on the notice. (Section a)
- [ ] Roll over your 401(k) by direct rollover only if you have a reason to; leaving it is fine for now. If you are 55 or older this year, think twice before moving it to an IRA. (Section f)

## What I could not confirm

- A national rule on backdating unemployment claims (varies by state; only Washington's "starts the Sunday of the week you apply" rule confirmed).
- Which states pay fewer than 26 weeks of unemployment as of today; work search contact counts per state.
- A primary (Congress.gov or IRS/CMS) record that the enhanced premium tax credits were not extended. Confirmed only from a state agency page written before expiry (primary), a broker guide dated Sept 2026 and KFF Nov 6, 2026 (secondary). Removal of repayment caps for tax year 2026: KFF only.
- HealthCare.gov's own Open Enrollment dates for 2027 coverage (Nov 1 to Dec 15, 2026 from secondary sources).
- Whether voluntarily dropping COBRA opens a Marketplace special enrollment period.
- An official all-state table for final pay deadlines, vacation payout, mini-COBRA or mini-WARN (none found; only payroll-company tables exist).
- SNAP ABAWD age range today: USDA's Oct 2025 memo (18 to 64) conflicts with USDA's SNAP work requirements page updated Nov 3, 2026 (18 to 54).
- Federal student loan unemployment deferment maximum (3 years) and its end for loans made on or after July 1, 2027: secondary source only.
- The 10 percent W-4V rate from a current IRS page (current /uc page names W-4V but not the rate; the rate comes from a 2020 IRS release marked historical).
- That federal law does not require severance (not opened on a DOL page).
- LIHEAP funding status for winter 2026 to 2027; 211 being free.

## What is most likely to go stale

1. Enhanced premium tax credits: Congress could still act (House passed a 3-year extension in Jan 2026; Senate compromise talk). Recheck before publishing and every month.
2. SNAP work rules under the 2025 law, and the conflicting USDA pages.
3. Federal student loan plans (SAVE wind-down deadlines through end of 2026, RAP, deferment changes in July 2027, autopay deadline Dec 31, 2026).
4. Medicaid work requirements starting 2027 and their effect on Marketplace credits.
5. 2027 Open Enrollment dates (ends Dec 15, 2026 in most states).
6. State unemployment rules (weeks of benefits, severance treatment).
7. COBRA and WARN numbers are statutory and stable; least likely to change.