Companies close, it’s a hard and sad truth. My friend Sarah's mother devoted 15 YEARS of her life to working for the same dental office. Then one day it was bought out by another company and she suddenly found herself without a job. No matter what the case is don’t hit that panic button! Take some deep breaths and check out these tips on what to do next.

1- Take care of YOU Your health is important so don’t go without health coverage! Speak to your former employer about extending your health insurance benefit for up to 18 months under COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) if it's available. You have 60 days after your coverage lapses to opt-in or start shopping for your own policy on https://www.healthcare.gov/ Your new employment status allows for you to actively enroll even if it's not open enrollment time.

2- Apply for unemployment benefits To receive unemployment benefits, you need to file a claim with the unemployment program in the state where you worked as soon as possible. Don't delay because this process can take awhile! The government-sponsored site, [CareerOneStop] (https://www.careeronestop.org/), has details on unemployment benefits in each state. You also can do a quick Google search to find your local Department of Labor and unemployment office and apply there.

3- Revisit your budget There’s no way of knowing how long you will be unemployed and because your income is now significantly less it's important to plan for the future. Revisit your accounts and see where you stand. Cut down on your expenses to only what is necessary for the time being. Put together a list of all the bills you currently pay such as car payments, student loans, rent, mortgage, groceries, etc. that are non-negotiable. Anything that isn’t essential cancel it for now and focus on the more important bills.

4- Stay in touch Don’t be afraid to connect NOW with your coworkers/managers! Ask them for their contact information and if they would consider being a reference. Stick to anyone you worked closely with who can attest to your skills on the job. If they ask you, offer them the same courtesy.

5- Be positive Right now is a difficult time but remaining positive will help see you through this! Surround yourself with loved ones who will support and guide you. Stay strong and look to the future. As the saying goes, "This too shall pass."

6- Apply It goes without saying that once you lose a job you need to replace it with another. So revamp that resume! Be sure to add any new skills and experiences you gained over your employment. Then when you are ready, search and apply to jobs in your area [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/jobs/search).

Wishing you the best during this difficult time, stay strong!