# Just lost my job. Any advice welcome **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 17, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100 "2022-11-17T20:03:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/1 "2022-11-17T20:03:07Z")
Worked at this company for nearly 12 years. Was told less than an hour ago that the job is over. Now I’m thrust into the unfamiliar world of unemployment and trying to find health insurance. Any advice? I’m in Texas, for whatever it may matter. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/2 "2022-11-17T20:05:59Z")
Sorry to hear that. What do you do? If you told me I wasn’t paying attention. Yes, use COBRA. I did and it worked. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/3 "2022-11-17T20:06:48Z")
Every time that I’ve left a company, the Federal government has sent me a thing about COBRA and extended health care. Basically (as I understand it), you should still have coverage for 18 months after termination, so long as the company had more than 20 employees. Obviously, everyone should correct me if that’s not correct. I don’t want to hand out false hope. > **[Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 | Provisions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_Omnibus_Budget_Reconciliation_Act_of_1985#Provisions)** > > As originally enacted, Title X of the Act provided that a qualifying employer will not be permitted to take a tax deduction for its health insurance costs unless its health insurance plan allows employees of the employer and the employee's immediate family members who had been covered by a health care plan to maintain their coverage if a "qualifying event" causes them to lose coverage. However, the legislation was subsequently amended to instead impose an excise tax upon an employer whose health ... [https://ers.texas.gov/former-employees/cobra-continuation-coverage](https://ers.texas.gov/former-employees/cobra-continuation-coverage) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/4 "2022-11-17T20:10:56Z")
I can help a bit on the health insurance side. As it turns out, we’re currently in the “Open Enrollment Period” for individual coverage for 2023, though any policy you buy through that would go into effect on January 1st. However, losing your job also opens up a “Special Enrollment Period” for you, and you may be able to buy a policy that goes into effect more-or-less immediately, and would take you through the end of the year. You can shop for plans from the individual insurance companies’ websites, or you can go to [healthcare.gov](http://healthcare.gov) to shop in the “Marketplace,” where they show you the details on the various plans and companies that offer Individual coverage in your area. In addition, depending on your income level, there are tax credits available that can reduce the premium cost of buying your own coverage (you can learn about those on [healthcare.gov](http://healthcare.gov), too). There are, in most areas, a range of plans offered, at different “metal levels” (bronze, silver, gold) – all ACA policies have to cover a range of services (doctor bills, hospital bills, preventive care, etc.), but some companies will have better networks of providers than others, and the less expensive (“bronze”) plans will likely have higher deductibles/out-of-pocket costs, and may provide fewer side benefits. If you were getting health coverage from your now-former employer, you should be able to continue with that coverage under the COBRA law, though you’ll have to pay 100% of the monthly premiums for it going forward; that may or may not be more expensive than coverage you could buy on your own. Details on how to use COBRA, and elect to continue that coverage, should be provided to you by your former employer as part of the severance paperwork. I wish you well on finding a new gig, as well! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/5 "2022-11-17T20:11:30Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Basically (as I understand it), you should still have coverage for 18 months after termination, so long as the company had more than 20 employees. But the employee has to pay 100% of the premium under COBRA. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/6 "2022-11-17T20:12:08Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Basically (as I understand it), you should still have coverage for 18 months after termination, so long as the company had more than 20 employees. True, though, as I note, the company will no longer pay anything towards your health insurance premiums (and most companies pay the lion’s share of the insurance premiums for their employees); you can keep the same policy you had, but you have to pay 100% of the premium. _Edit: ninja’d by Procrustus._ ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/7 "2022-11-17T20:22:49Z")
> **[Insurance Premium Defined, How It's Calculated, and Types](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/insurance-premium.asp)** > > An insurance premium is the amount of money an individual or business pays for an insurance policy. For reference. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/8 "2022-11-17T20:24:16Z")
I see. My company definitely has well over 20 employees. They had told me my health insurance was going to end at the end of this month - November 2022. So they’re technically wrong and it will extend through May 2024? (but that I have to pay all the premiums myself?) ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/9 "2022-11-17T20:24:49Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Sorry to hear that. What do you do? Academic administrator at an online for-profit university. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/10 "2022-11-17T20:29:14Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Yes, use COBRA. I did and it worked. I used COBRA for years after an unexpected divorce (which isn’t that dissimilar to getting fired). It worked well, even though I had to pay 100% of the premiums. Cut yourself a little slack, take some days to get used to it, breathe deep. First and foremost, don’t personalize it. If the company offers job-finding resources, take full advantage of them. They’re motivated to get you re-employed quickly so they don’t take the hit in unemployment. Wishing you the best and a quick turnaround. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/11 "2022-11-17T20:29:15Z")
They gave you no notice at all? That’s immoral, it truly is. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/12 "2022-11-17T20:31:51Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > They had told me my health insurance was going to end at the end of this month - November 2022. So they’re technically wrong and it will extend through May 2024? (but that I have to pay all the premiums myself?) They aren’t technically wrong; they are going to keep covering you until the end of this month. Through COBRA, you _ **may** _ elect to continue that coverage past the end of November, but you must opt into it, and you must agree to pay the monthly premiums (when I used COBRA to keep coverage from a job from which I had been laid off, I had to write a check to my old employer by the first of each month). It’s not automatic. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/13 "2022-11-17T20:31:54Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > They gave you no notice at all? That’s immoral, it truly is. It may be immoral, but it’s standard operating procedure in most places I’ve worked. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/14 "2022-11-17T20:33:47Z")
You are also eligible to enroll in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan for 60 days after losing your job-based insurance. Check out [healthcare.gov](http://healthcare.gov). [Edit] I see that @kenobi_65 posted this information sooner and better. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/15 "2022-11-17T20:40:41Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > I see that @kenobi_65 posted this information sooner and better. To be fair, I work on “individual” health insurance plans as a major part of my job, so it’s knowledge I have rattling around in my head. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/16 "2022-11-17T21:24:40Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > They gave you no notice at all? That’s immoral, it truly is As a small business owner who has had an employee quit without notice, I totally agree. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/17 "2022-11-17T21:25:48Z")
Ok, let’s see… First, process this. Emotionally, intellectually, etc. Think of the five stages of grief and go through them as fast as possible: shock, denial, anger, etc. Losing a job is akin to a death for it is the death of a future which now will never be. So if you have to rage, rage today. If you have to assert “well, without ME they can never flarber the gabenit!” or whatever, do that today. Tomorrow is Friday. You should spend much of the day with your family, friends. Be productive- get your resume updated, contact contacts to see if they can be used as referrals, stuff like that- but only enough to make you feel like you didn’t waste the day. Maybe a couple of hours, say between 7am-10am. (I’m an early person, sue me.) But for most of tomorrow: take the family to the movies. To lunch. To the game room. Concert. Whatever you and your family (or friends group or whatever) like to do, do it. The goal here, V, is to connect with your social group to help remind YOU that you have value outside your employment. Also, if you have a spouse/lover, make sure to get laid no later than tomorrow night. _Trust_ me on this. Saturday- more job hunt work, maybe you want to activate and update that Monster/Indeed account, get some job alerts set up. Maybe you want to contact friends/family, let them know you’re looking. Review insurance coverages, whatever. But you know what else you can do? You have any projects that you put off, low cost projects? Items on the honey-do list? Well, guess who now (a) has the time and (b) has a new-found need to feel productive? Sunday: You know what I would do and have done? Write a short letter to your boss, your bosses boss, and your bosses bosses boss. Thank them for the wonderful 12 years, remind them of your skillset and your responsibilities, and let them know you are available to assist in a temporary or consulting capacity in smoothing out any bumps in the corporations transition. Don’t worry about going over your bosses head: they fired you, you’re not an employee, and your #1 goal right now is to bring revenue in for **Velocity SP**. And yes, I said _letters_. Follow up with emails, but do a letter first. Not knowing your finances or anything, you may wish to look at what I call ‘maintenance income’ while you are job searching. Uber driving, working in a restaurant/bar, remote @ home call center positions, even… _gasp!_ … sales. Even if you are sitting on a nice nest egg, having a 20-hour a week job at Home Depot will help financially and emotionally. All right, lol, I’ve blathered enough. You’ll be OK, V, I guarantee it. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/18 "2022-11-17T21:31:39Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Also, if you have a spouse/lover, make sure to get laid no later than tomorrow night. _Trust_ me on this. I have yet to find a foolproof way to “make sure” I have sex in any particular 48 hour period. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/19 "2022-11-17T21:32:33Z")
Lol, same planet, different worlds, I guess. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100/20 "2022-11-17T21:32:43Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@Velocity](#): > > > > They had told me my health insurance was going to end at the end of this month - November 2022. So they’re technically wrong and it will extend through May 2024? (but that I have to pay all the premiums myself?) > > They aren’t technically wrong; they are going to keep covering you until the end of this month. > > Through COBRA, you _ **may** _ elect to continue that coverage past the end of November, but you must opt into it, and you must agree to pay the monthly premiums (when I used COBRA to keep coverage from a job from which I had been laid off, I had to write a check to my old employer by the first of each month). It’s not automatic. IIRC the last time I dealt with this, after your employer-paid coverage ends (end of Nov in @Velocity’s case) they have 60 days in which to apply for COBRA coverage. If they wait to the 61st day before getting the app done to the insurance company’s satisfaction they are screwed: no COBRA for them. But if they do get it done by day 60 they can keep the coverage for 18 months from when the employer-paid coverage ends. So end of May 2024 in the OP’s case. That 60-day window leads to an opportunity for gamesmanship: If the OP is generally healthy and administratively capable, they can fill out the application but hold onto it. And sit tight until, say, late Jan paying no premiums and having no coverage. Then in late Jan submit the application, get coverage, and start paying for Feb and beyond. Which saves 2 months of premiums = 18% of the first year’s total costs. And if during Dec or Jan something bad happens, say a car crash and they are in need of costly medical care, they can submit the app, pay for the month they’re in the middle of and get coverage retro to the start of that month. It’s one of the very, very few situations in US health care coverage where an alert person can have his cake and eat it too. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-lost-my-job-any-advice-welcome/975100.md?page=2)