1. File A Claim with the EDD for Unemployment Benefits
If you lost your job, you should consider filing a claim for unemployment benefits.
2. Explore Your Health Insurance Options
If you participated in your employer’s health insurance plan, you may be entitled to continue your insurance coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”). COBRA allows employees to temporarily continue their employer health insurance plan at the employee’s expense.
However, before simply deciding to continue your employer group insurance plan, you should determine whether you are eligible for free health insurance under Medicare or MediCal. If you are not eligible for either Medicare or MediCal, you should also consider obtaining a private insurance plan either on or off the exchange before you decide whether or not to exercise your COBRA rights. Since employers often provide subsidies for health insurance premiums, the cost of your COBRA insurance might greatly exceed the cost of private insurance available to you.
3. Contact An Employment Attorney
If you recently lost your job, you should contact an attorney to discuss your rights, options, and whether you have additional claims that you may not have thought about. An employment attorney can also assist you in obtaining copies of your personnel file, pay records, and time records.