Lost a job
What to do first
- Apply for unemployment benefits with your state right away.
- Check your health coverage. You may be able to keep your job's plan, or you can pick a new one.
- If money for food or rent is short, apply for food benefits and ask about rent help.
- Get free help looking for work at an American Job Center.
Talk it through
Tell us more about what happened. We answer first, then show the programs that fit, then ask a few questions to narrow it down.
Dates that matter
These windows are set by federal rules. Your state may have its own dates too, so ask the agency.
60 days
Health coverage
Losing your job's health plan lets you sign up for a Marketplace plan. You have 60 days after the plan ends.
Source: HealthCare.govAt least 60 days
Keeping your job's health plan (COBRA)
If your old job's plan offers COBRA, you have at least 60 days to choose it. The time starts when you get the notice or when your coverage ends, whichever is later. COBRA covers most employers with 20 or more workers.
Source: DOL.gov
Help from Illinois
Illinois programs that fit what happened. Each agency decides who qualifies.
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Insurance provides temporary benefits to eligible workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Illinois Department of Human Services
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP helps eligible households pay for food using an Illinois Link card.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Medical Assistance Program
Illinois Medicaid pays for health care for eligible residents.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Illinois Department of Insurance
Get Covered Illinois
In Illinois, the health insurance marketplace is called Get Covered Illinois.
Get Covered Illinois lets residents compare and enroll in ACA health insurance plans.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
All Kids
In Illinois, CHIP is called All Kids.
All Kids provides health coverage to eligible children in Illinois.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Illinois Housing Development Authority
Rental Housing Support Program
The program funds local partners that provide rental assistance to eligible households.
Ways to apply:PhoneIn person
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP helps eligible households pay energy bills and avoid utility shutoffs.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person
Illinois Department of Human Services
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
TANF provides cash help to eligible families with children and pregnant people.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help
These work the same in every state. Each agency decides who qualifies.
CareerOneStop.org
Help finding work
American Job Centers help with job search, resumes and training, for free. Find the one near you on CareerOneStop, from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Federal Communications Commission
Lifeline phone and internet discount
A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Check if you qualify and apply on the National Verifier, then pick a phone or internet company that offers Lifeline.
Checked on October 9, 2026
Help near you
Find county and state offices near you, or call 211 to talk to someone about help in your area.
Talk to a person
- 211 Illinois
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988