What is Laid Off in America?
You just lost your job. HR handed you papers full of words like severance, COBRA, release of claims, WARN, at-will. You have a deadline to sign something. You need to understand what's in front of you before you decide.
We're not lawyers. We're a plain-English guide that tells you:
- What each document actually means
- What questions to ask HR before you sign anything
- What to do in the first 24 hours, first week, first month
- When you need a real lawyer (and what to ask them)
No uploads. No account. Designed for the days when reading legal language feels impossible.
New here? Start with the 24-hour checklist, compare your options in the best layoff help services guide, and look up unfamiliar terms in the U.S. layoff dictionary.
A careful first step
A respectful conversation does not explain every consequence.
The layoff may have been delivered respectfully. That does not tell you whether the dates are clear, what the documents mean, or what needs review before you respond.
Start by protecting your options.
Free · 5 questions · ~60 seconds
Not sure where to start? Take the First 30 Minutes Check.
Answer 5 questions and get a plain-English next step before you sign, file, or miss something important.
A calm path through a stressful time
Stabilize
Know what to do first, what to save, and what to ask before signing anything.
Understand
Translate layoff terms like COBRA, severance, release of claims, unemployment, PTO, and benefits end date.
Protect your options
Prepare questions for HR, benefits, employment counsel, and immigration counsel if relevant.
Plan your next move
Estimate your runway, communicate clearly, and explore job, freelance, or consulting paths.
Simple, one-time pricing
Free 24-Hour Checklist
$0
A calm first-step checklist for what to do immediately after a layoff.
Layoff Document Self-Check
$19 one-time
Check the paperwork HR sent you without uploading sensitive documents. Mark what you see and get HR questions, lawyer-prep questions, dates, and next steps.
Full Layoff Triage Report
$39 one-time
Your complete personalized action plan for HR, severance prep, COBRA, unemployment, money runway, communication, and next income options.
One-time purchases. No subscription.
What's inside the Triage Report
- Situation snapshot & top priorities
- First 24 hours & first 7 days plan
- HR questions & email template
- Severance prep + topics to review
- A review of what to verify before you sign, respond to HR, or assume the timing is clear
- COBRA & benefits navigator
- Unemployment prep checklist
- Work authorization checklist (if relevant)
- Money runway estimate
- Communication scripts
- Experience-to-income options
Get the Free 24-Hour Checklist
Plain-English first steps. Instant download after email capture.
Privacy-first by design
No uploads. No sensitive document text required. The Layoff Document Self-Check works from the selections you make. We collect only the lead form information needed to deliver the checklist and improve the product. We do not ask for SSNs, passport numbers, I-94 numbers, bank details, or addresses. We do not sell your personal information or use lead form submissions to train AI models.
On a work visa?
FAQ
Is this legal advice?
No. We are an educational planning tool. We help you prepare for conversations with qualified professionals.
Do you help with immigration?
We provide a documents checklist and questions to bring to an immigration attorney. We do not provide immigration advice.
Will you tell me whether to sign?
No. We help you understand what to ask and what to review before you decide.
Is this a subscription?
No. The Layoff Document Self-Check and Full Layoff Triage Report are one-time purchases.