Plant closing and notice period questions - any advice?

I received a formal notice about a mass layoff at my workplace. This is my first time dealing with any of this. They offered a retention bonus for people who stay. Should I stay for the bonus?

Start your search early. I wish I had begun the day of the notice.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 9 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.