Massachusetts
Laid off in Massachusetts? Start here.
Who to call, what Massachusetts 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
Massachusetts'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
- MassHire Department of Career Services857-289-1096MassHire Rapid Response
- Unemployment
- Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance617-626-6338File a claimBefore you file, check how Massachusetts 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
The federal notice rule applies here.
Massachusetts treats advance notice as voluntary for most employers; the federal WARN Act applies.
Under the federal WARN Act, employers with 100 or more employees generally have to give 60 days' notice of a plant closing or mass layoff. Smaller layoffs often come with no notice at all.
M.G.L. c. 151A §§ 71A–71B · J. J. Keller, Plant closing: Massachusetts
See recent Massachusetts notices on PinkSlipped's Layoff Wire.
Only in Massachusetts
What's different here.
A Rapid Response contact for your region
MassHire publishes a Rapid Response contact for each region of the state, so you can reach the team that covers where you work.
Before the first call
Four free checks, in the order you'll need them.
They work for Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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?
- J. J. Keller, Plant closing: Massachusetts
- Mass.gov, MassHire Rapid Response regional contacts
- MassHire Rapid Response
Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Contacts and programs change; Massachusetts'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.