Who do I ask for a reference after a layoff? (update)

My manager was laid off too and I am unsure who to use as a reference. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. HR only confirms titles and dates. How do you ask politely?

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.

Ask former colleagues and supervisors in a short message and give them a summary of the job you are applying for.