Laid off this week, where do I start? - 9 months and counting

They called a meeting on Monday and 11 of us were let go. I had been there 11 years. It has been a long 14 weeks. I have not told my family yet. Which steps were urgent?

File for unemployment right away. Do not wait for severance decisions. The date you file can matter.

I made a short list: benefits, bills, documents, and then my résumé. One thing each day kept me steady.