Job loss has become an unfortunate reality for many people today as we encounter the worst recession in years.  It can be tough to survive without a job.  You wonder where money will come from, how your bills will get paid, what you’ll do for food, how to keep your credit score alive and avoid disastrous activity like bankruptcy.  Here are a few areas you’ll want to cover if you’re facing job loss or have just been let go.

• First item of business: don’t panic.  Clear your thoughts and try not to focus on any anger you may have; let it out and then let it go.  It’s time to direct your attention to the months ahead.

• File immediately for unemployment benefits.  This process can take a long time, so the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be.  Of course, your pay will not be anywhere near what you were making at your job, but it’s better than zero income at all when you’re simply trying to survive.
• Start looking for a new job right away.  The job market is tight.  Even if you’re a good fit, you may not get a job you’ve applied for because there are so many others in the same position as you.  One factory near my area has 3000 applicants for one open position.  You have to fight harder than ever to get hired right now, so your search may take longer than you might anticipate.
• If you’ve already lost your job, hopefully you have a savings account of some type to fall back on.  Go ahead and use that to determine how long you can survive before things get to a desperate stage—this will affect your job search time, and may help you stay motivated.  If you’re facing job loss and you don’t have a savings, start one right now.  Even a few dollars a week put away can add up and come in handy when you need extra cash.  Money is probably tight for you, but follow the rule “pay yourself first.”  You’ll see that you do have the ability to save up.
• Try to avoid using your credit card unless absolutely necessary.  You could put yourself in a worse position if you start incurring more debt that you cannot immediately pay back.  Your new motto is “Only use the credit card for emergencies.”
• Create a budget and stick to it.  Take a look at your savings and any unemployment (or even severance) benefits you may be getting and compare it to your bills and expenses.  Cut out anything unnecessary.  For example, if you can get by without satellite tv, do so.  You’re going to be spending a lot of time job-hunting anyway; you don’t have time for tv.
• Sell any junk around your home that you don’t need or want.  This will be a temporary fix for some quick cash, but it can help, especially if you have some items that will sell for a decent price either on ebay or at a garage sale.
• Consider picking up a part-time job in the meantime.  Be aware that this option may affect what you can receive in the way of unemployment benefits, but the decision is yours, and it’s particular to your personal situation.  You may even find a part-time job that offers benefits and keeps you going until you find full-time employment.
• Brush up your networking skills.  Keep in touch with your professional contacts if you can.  You may end up hearing about a job opening that isn’t publicized or gain an important and beneficial reference.
• Stay active!  A long job search can become discouraging, especially during a period of unemployment.  Keep in touch with family and friends, exercise on a regular basis, and keep up with your hobbies.  If you’re able, pick up a new book or take a class that can help you hone some existing skills and maybe even learn new ones that can make you more marketable.  Letting yourself become idle is one of the worst things you can do right now.

Your situation is going to be different from someone else’s, but remember that you’re not the only one having to survive without a job.  The recession has hit many businesses and forced them to cut back and lay off employees, even entire departments.  Use every bit of help you can find and every resource at your disposal to ensure you can get by until you find a new job.