California
Laid off in California? Start here.
Who to call, what California law says about your notice, and the free state programs most people never hear about. Everything here is free, and every fact has its source at the bottom.
Who to call
California's free help, in one place.
Rapid Response is the state team that steps in around a layoff. The job center is where you sign up for career help and training. Unemployment is its own office.
- Rapid Response
- California Employment Development Department916-654-6206EDD layoff services
- Unemployment
- California Employment Development Department1-800-300-5616File a claimBefore you file, check how California treats severance with the Unemployment Check.
- Job center near you
- Find an American Job Center (search by ZIP code)
The Rapid Response team works with employers too, so say up front that you're a worker who was laid off and ask where to start. You don't need your employer's permission.
Your notice
California has its own layoff-notice law.
Cal-WARN covers workplaces with 75 or more employees. A layoff of 50 or more people within 30 days, a relocation or a closing needs 60 days' notice, whatever share of the workplace that is.
Cal. Labor Code §§ 1400–1408 · California EDD, Layoff Services – WARN
See recent California notices on PinkSlipped's Layoff Wire.
Only in California
What's different here.
Your notice now points you to help
Since January 1, 2026, a Cal-WARN notice has to say whether your employer will set up Rapid Response through the local workforce board within 30 days, describe those services, list board contacts, and include CalFresh food-assistance information.
California EDD, Workforce Services Information Notice WSIN25-14
Rapid Response runs locally
California has 45 local workforce boards, and each runs its own Rapid Response. Your WARN notice should name yours. If it doesn't, the state line below can route you.
Before the first call
Four free checks, in the order you'll need them.
They work for California and every other state, and none of them asks for your name.
- 1Unemployment CheckWhen to file, and the weeks severance may offset
- 2Runway CheckKnow your runway in ten minutes
- 3Insurance CheckCOBRA or the Marketplace: what coverage actually costs
- 4401(k) CheckWhat touching the 401(k) really costs
Your Plan puts the California calls in the right week, next to your unemployment claim and your severance deadlines. Build my free Plan
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, State Rapid Response Coordinators
- U.S. Department of Labor, How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance?
- California EDD, Layoff Services – WARN
- California EDD, Workforce Services Information Notice WSIN25-14
- California Workforce Association, Local Boards
Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Contacts and programs change; California's job center has the final word.
General education, not legal advice. PinkSlipped isn't affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor or any state agency.