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You do not have to solve everything today. Start with the next helpful step, protect the essentials, and keep a record as you go.
A clear boundary
This guide is general education, not legal, financial, benefits, tax, insurance, or employment advice. Eligibility and available options vary by location and individual circumstances.
What this is
Job loss can bring a lot of questions at once. This free guide helps you organize the immediate calls, documents, and questions that can help you respond without needing to know the system first.
Making early contact can give you more time to understand your choices. A simple record also keeps important details from getting lost when you are handling several things at once.
What to do next
Visit your state workforce agency through USA.gov to understand where to apply and what your state asks for. If applying may be right for you, begin as soon as you can; eligibility, timing, and available options vary.
Keep recent pay stubs, employer contact information, separation or layoff notices, benefit information, identification, direct-deposit details, and any notes about your last day of work in one place.
Call your landlord or mortgage servicer, auto lender, utilities, insurers, and other billing companies before a payment is due. Ask what hardship options, payment arrangements, or grace periods may be available.
For the next two to four weeks, list housing, food, medicine, transportation, utilities, insurance, and other immediate needs. This is not a perfect budget—just a clear picture of what needs attention first.
Write down the date, time, name, phone number, reference number, next step, and deadline from every call or application. Save copies of messages and documents where you can find them again.
When to get help
For complicated, urgent, or high-stakes situations, an appropriate agency, nonprofit, counselor, attorney, housing counselor, or other qualified professional may help you understand your specific situation.
Optional resource
If your next few weeks feel uncertain, a simple view of essentials, due dates, and available cash can make the next decision easier. Secured Budget is one optional place to organize that picture.
Explore Secured BudgetSecured Budget is an optional budgeting tool. CoCoMo LifeWorks does not provide financial advice, and using this tool does not guarantee any financial result.
Keep moving at your pace
There is no sales gate here. Use the parts that help today and return for the next step when you are ready.
Explore your Life NavigatorThese general resources can help you find the right public information for your location. They do not determine eligibility or outcomes.
Optional resource
If your next few weeks feel uncertain, a simple view of essentials, due dates, and available cash can make the next decision easier. Secured Budget is one optional place to organize that picture.
Explore Secured BudgetSecured Budget is an optional budgeting tool. CoCoMo LifeWorks does not provide financial advice, and using this tool does not guarantee any financial result.
Optional resource
If you decide you want access to a legal-services membership, LegalShield is one optional resource to review after you have considered your DIY and professional-help options.
Learn about LegalShieldLegalShield is optional and is not a substitute for individualized legal advice. CoCoMo LifeWorks may receive compensation if you enroll through this link.