Is COBRA worth it after a layoff? (update)

The COBRA quote for my family is $850 a month and I do not know how to afford it. There are 8 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. My old employer will not help with the premium. How did you decide?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 11 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.