Job loss can be stressful, even in the best circumstances. Remember: careers aren't linear, and any setback is only temporary. You don't have to deal with it alone.

J K Rowling, John Steinbeck, Larry David, Walt Disney, Gillian Anderson, and millions of other successful people have taken advantage of unemployment benefits at some point in their careers. There's no shame in taking advantage of state or federal resources.

There are a number of resources for unemployment help. Eligibility for unemployment insurance, length of time, and benefit amounts differ from state to state. But in general, if you are laid off or furloughed, you should qualify.

Many states have also set up new guidelines for worker eligibility because of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Note that many state employment websites are overwhelmed with applications, so it's best to apply early or late in the day when the system is experiencing lower traffic.

If you need health insurance, there's a 60-day grace period after leaving your job for COBRA election (you can get coverage retroactively), but signing up for ACA coverage may be less expensive.

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