I was laid off this week after 3.5 years working for the local county government in Washington State. I started this job in 2023 following some significant life changes, and it felt like a blessing at the time. Despite being placed in the wrong role due to my supervisor's incompetence, I managed to survive my probation period and eventually transitioned into an entry-level position. Earlier this year, my boss warned us about potential layoffs, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. In our office of about 20 people, 4 of us non-management staff were informed that we would be laid off. I have until the end of August to decide whether to accept a severance package, which includes two months' pay and a cashout for my PTO. If I decline the package, I’ll likely be laid off without severance. My last working day will be at the end of August, and I’ll lose my healthcare coverage then too. My wife earns about $65,000 working for the state, and we have a mortgage of $2,600. I’m planning to apply for state positions primarily, but I just had a tough meeting with HR yesterday. At 33 years old, I’m feeling anxious about the job market and would appreciate any advice or insights.