Quick answer: If you were laid off from a tech job anywhere in the U.S., file for unemployment in your state right away, protect your health coverage, then get free help from your local American Job Center, which can connect laid-off workers to retraining. The Ayangbah Foundation's classes are live online nationwide, so you can retrain from San Francisco, Seattle, Austin or anywhere else, in evening and Saturday classes.
You're not alone: where layoffs are hitting hardest in 2026
Mass-layoff (WARN) notices filed with state labor agencies show more than 348,000 U.S. workers affected so far in 2026. The states with the most affected workers are:
California: 70,047 workers
Washington: 31,497
Texas: 20,381
Florida: 19,809
Illinois: 17,985
Tech is a big part of it. Bay Area tech employers filed layoff notices covering more than 14,500 workers in the 12 months ending June 2026, almost double the year before, with the largest planned cuts at Meta, Amazon, Cisco, Oracle and LinkedIn. San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Seattle tech workers have been among the hardest hit.
Step 1: File for unemployment the first day
Every state runs its own unemployment program. File online with your state's unemployment agency as soon as you're laid off, because claims usually start when you file, not when you lost your job. In California, that's EDD (edd.ca.gov). In Washington, it's the Employment Security Department. Ask about severance, too: some states treat severance differently when calculating benefits.
Step 2: Protect your health coverage
Ask HR whether you can continue your employer plan and what it costs. Compare that with a plan through HealthCare.gov or your state's marketplace, such as Covered California. Losing job-based coverage usually opens a special enrollment period.
Step 3: Get free help from an American Job Center
American Job Centers in every state offer free career services. Laid-off workers may qualify for WIOA Dislocated Worker services, which can include training support. Find your nearest center through CareerOneStop or by calling 1-877-US-2JOBS.
Step 4: Retrain or pivot, online from anywhere
Many laid-off tech workers move into roles that use what they already know, or start their own business. The Ayangbah Foundation offers live online classes nationwide:
Government Contracting Academy: turn your tech skills into a consulting business that sells to government. $1,497 or 3 payments of $499. Next cohort Monday, November 23.
Career Readiness & Entrepreneurship Certificate: 40 hours over 4 weeks, $1,200. Resumes, LinkedIn, interviews, digital marketing and business development.
AI at Work (ChatGPT and Copilot): 6 hours, $295.
Project Management Fundamentals: 16 hours, $595.
Conversational Mandarin Chinese: 8 weeks, $297, a real edge for roles with Chinese-speaking clients or suppliers.
Read more: your first 7 days after a layoff (California) and help for dislocated tech workers.
Frequently asked questions
I was laid off from tech. What should I do first?
File for unemployment in your state the same day, sort out health coverage, and contact an American Job Center about free help and retraining.
Can I take classes online if I don't live in California?
Yes. Every Ayangbah Foundation class is offered live online to students anywhere in the U.S.
What careers do laid-off tech workers move into?
Common paths include project management, consulting, government contracting, training and starting a business. Pick a path that builds on skills you already have.
Where can I get help planning my next step?
Call or text The Ayangbah Foundation at (909) 454-7076, join a free online info session any Monday at 5 PM Pacific, or apply online.
Layoff figures are from WARN notices compiled by LayoffTracker (2026, year to date) and a Bloomberg analysis of California EDD data reported in September 2026. Figures may be revised.