After a US layoff — UI, pay stub, next job
File unemployment with your state (CareerOneStop / DOL), keep the last stub, then compare offers after tax. Company names in the news do not create a special federal check.
Updated 3 Sep 2026 Official sites linked Free · no account
Checklist
- 1
Save the last pay stub and dates
PDF or photo of the final check. Last day worked starts UI, COBRA and some severance clocks.
- 2
File unemployment in your state
Use CareerOneStop or DOL to reach the state UI site — not a Facebook form. Weekly amounts and waiting weeks are state law.
- 3
Health coverage
Ask HR in writing: COBRA vs marketplace vs a spouse plan. Election windows are short.
- 4
Retirement account
Leave the 401(k), roll to an IRA, or cash out. A cash-out is usually taxed and penalized if you are under 59½ — confirm with a tax pro.
- 5
Next offer is gross until you model it
Run the US paycheck calculator for that state before you accept a lower hourly rate.
Unemployment is a state claim
DOL funds and sets federal floors; states run the weekly certification. Identity, last employer and reason for separation will be asked. Keep the WARN letter or HR email if you have one — it helps, it is not a substitute for the UI form.
Model the next offer by state
Each link opens the paycheck calculator with that state’s 2026 wage-tax model.
- Alabama AL
- Alaska AK
- Arizona AZ
- Arkansas AR
- California CA
- Colorado CO
- Connecticut CT
- Delaware DE
- Florida FL
- Georgia GA
- Hawaii HI
- Idaho ID
- Illinois IL
- Indiana IN
- Iowa IA
- Kansas KS
- Kentucky KY
- Louisiana LA
- Maine ME
- Maryland MD
- Massachusetts MA
- Michigan MI
- Minnesota MN
- Mississippi MS
- Missouri MO
- Montana MT
- Nebraska NE
- Nevada NV
- New Hampshire NH
- New Jersey NJ
- New Mexico NM
- New York NY
- North Carolina NC
- North Dakota ND
- Ohio OH
- Oklahoma OK
- Oregon OR
- Pennsylvania PA
- Rhode Island RI
- South Carolina SC
- South Dakota SD
- Tennessee TN
- Texas TX
- Utah UT
- Vermont VT
- Virginia VA
- Washington WA
- West Virginia WV
- Wisconsin WI
- Wyoming WY
FAQs
Do company headlines mean extra federal UI?
No automatic extra federal top-up just because a brand is in the news. File your state UI claim.
Should I take the first hourly job?
Suitable-work rules vary by state. Compare after-tax pay with the paycheck tool so you are not surprised by FICA and state tax.
Where do I apply for jobs?
WhatJobs strip below and /us/corpjobs. Apply on the employer site — we are not the employer.
Is severance counted as wages for UI?
Often yes, in whole or in part — it is a state question. Read your state UI handbook.
WARN Act notices?
Federal WARN covers certain mass layoffs at larger employers. It is not unemployment insurance. DOL has the fact sheet.
Can you file UI for me?
No. Only your state labour agency can take the claim.
Official sources
Use these sites for the legal answer. We summarise; they decide.
Not a law firm, tax advisor or state agency. UI, COBRA and 401(k) rules are personal. File claims only on official state / federal sites.