California

California Layoff Resources

If you have been laid off in California, these resources can help you apply for unemployment, understand California’s layoff-notice protections, find health coverage, seek financial assistance, locate workforce services, and get reliable information about possible workplace problems.

Eligibility requirements vary by program. Use the links below to check current rules and apply through the responsible agency.

Unemployment Benefits and Filing

Apply for unemployment through myEDD as soon as possible. Most claimants certify every two weeks and must report any work and wages. If EDD sends you a Notice of Requirement to Register for Work, you generally have 21 days from the notice date to post or update your résumé in CalJOBS.

California Layoff-Notice Protections

California has its own WARN law in addition to federal WARN. California WARN generally covers an establishment that employs or has employed 75 or more full- and part-time workers who have been employed for at least 6 of the preceding 12 months, subject to the law’s counting rules. It generally requires 60 days’ notice for a layoff of 50 or more employees in 30 days, a covered termination, or a relocation of operations by at least 100 miles. California and federal WARN are not identical.

Health-Insurance Coverage

Losing job-based insurance usually creates a special enrollment opportunity through Covered California. Depending on income and circumstances, you may qualify for Medi-Cal instead. Federal COBRA or California continuation coverage may also apply. Compare total premiums, deductibles, provider networks, prescriptions, and deadlines before choosing.

Food, Cash, Childcare, Utility, and Local Assistance

BenefitsCal is California’s main portal for CalFresh food benefits, CalWORKs cash assistance, Medi-Cal, and General Assistance/General Relief in participating counties. Most programs are administered locally, so procedures can vary by county.

Housing and local help

Workforce and Reemployment Services

America’s Job Center of California locations provide free job-search and training services, including résumé help, career guidance, job referrals, computer access, veteran services, and information about training funding. CalJOBS is the state’s online job and career system.

Final Pay, Wage Claims, and Retaliation

California generally requires final wages to be paid immediately when an employee is discharged. Earned, unused vacation is generally treated as wages and must be paid out. Severance is not automatically required unless an agreement, policy, plan, or other enforceable obligation provides for it.

The Labor Commissioner handles many wage claims and retaliation complaints. Retaliation complaints under most laws enforced by the Labor Commissioner generally must be filed within one year, although some laws use different deadlines.

Employment Discrimination and Legal Help

The California Civil Rights Department handles employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation covered by state civil-rights law. In general, an employment complaint must be filed with CRD within three years of the alleged discriminatory act. Federal claims may also fall under the EEOC, which uses different deadlines.

Civil legal help

Last reviewed: August 2026