Which of the following pays a worker when he or she is laid off?

Unemployment benefits are designed specifically to provide financial assistance to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, such as layoffs. When an individual is laid off, they can file a claim for unemployment compensation, which offers temporary income support while they search for a new job.

These benefits typically vary by state but are generally funded through employer contributions to state unemployment insurance programs. Eligibility often requires that the worker be actively seeking new employment and that their previous job was lost under qualifying circumstances.

In contrast, worker's compensation focuses on providing benefits to employees who are injured on the job, while COBRA allows individuals to continue their health insurance after leaving employment, and HIPAA is a federal law that protects patient health information but does not address job or income loss. Therefore, unemployment benefits are the most relevant option for workers who are laid off.