Who do I ask for a reference after a layoff? - any advice?

My manager was laid off too and I am unsure who to use as a reference. I am in Buffalo, in case local advice matters. I have one former client who liked my work. How do you ask politely?

A client reference worked well for me. It shows you deliver outside the company too.

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