What to do after a layoff
Start with the bills coming up and the details you need from your employer. You can work through the rest a step at a time.
Save the details before access ends
Save your separation notice, recent pay stubs, benefit details and pay agreement. Ask how to reach payroll and benefits after your last day. Keep only your own records, not employer or customer files.
Check final pay and your unemployment claim
Texas final-pay timing depends on how the job ended and the employer’s regular schedule. Written commission, bonus and leave terms can also matter. The date helper walks through those details.
Check TWC’s claim instructions promptly. A WARN listing doesn’t decide whether you qualify for unemployment benefits. If you work while claiming, follow TWC’s instructions for reporting work and earnings.
Make a short spending plan
List the bills due before your next likely income: housing, food, transport, insurance and debt payments. Separate money you can use now from home equity and accounts you can’t readily access.
Try a longer work gap and no investment growth in the savings calculator. Its fixed return won’t capture every turn in a job search or the markets.
Plan your job search
Compare duties, hours and benefits alongside pay. Local wage data helps you assess an offer. It doesn’t set what an employer must pay.
Follow the work-search requirements on your own TWC notice. Workforce Solutions offices offer help with job search and training; services vary by location.