I was terminated last month but

I was terminated from my job on 10/23/09 I was told by HR they would pay me to the end of the month and by benefits would last to the end of the month. I did receive a pay check via direct deposit and received the stub in the mail. However I have yet to receive any information on cobra yet. I am intersted in taking cobra depending on the cost.

Can someone tell if me I should have received that information by now or do I need to give it some more time?

Also when I was in the meeting with Hr and my Mgr, my mgr said he would not put his reputation on the line by giving me a reference for another job. However the HR person said they can call him if they have any questions. Once we left HR before I was walked out the door, my manger told me he wont take food off anyones tables and would give a reference if needed. He only had to say that b/c he was in front of HR. Would it be a good idea to use them as a reference? I read online that regardless of reason most employers will only give out dates of employment. They rarley go into detial b/c of liability,

italnstallion99:

Can someone tell if me I should have received that information by now or do I need to give it some more time?

A quick googling brought up the following link to notice requirements:

http://www.cobrahealth...

I don't know how current or accurate that is, but you can poke around the DOL website on your on to confirm it.

Nothing to stop you from calling up the group medical plan and asking for the paperwork.

italnstallion99:

Also when I was in the meeting with Hr and my Mgr, my mgr said he would not put his reputation on the line by giving me a reference for another job. However the HR person said they can call him if they have any questions. Once we left HR before I was walked out the door, my manger told me he wont take food off anyones tables and would give a reference if needed. He only had to say that b/c he was in front of HR. Would it be a good idea to use them as a reference?

See if you can get a letter of reference from each individual.

Otherwise, whatever anybody "told" you isn't likely to come to pass.

"Can someone tell if me I should have received that information by now or do I need to give it some more time?"

They have 44 days to get you the COBRA information and then you have 30 days to elect to take the coverage or not.  The coverage is retro-active once you make the payments.  Any expenses you incur out of pocket in the mean time can be submitted for reimbursement to you once you sign up and make the payments. 

"I read online that regardless of reason most employers will only give out dates of employment."

Typically most employers will give dates of employment and eligibility for re-hire.  They are not restricted to that though.  Some states have more restrictive laws.  Federal employment law does not address it.  Yes, most employers have a policy restricting what information is released so as not to get involved in lawsuits over potential slander or defamation.  Others just don't want the hassle.  Some won't release any information even if you sign a release.  It's their perogative.  The bottom line is they can say ANYTHING that is true.  So if someone was terminated because they BELIEVED they were stealing they could say that.  They could not say "we fired Bob because he WAS stealing" if they had no proof.  That would be slander. 

As Jack said get the letter of reference.  The odds on them giving it once you are gone aren't good.

They have 44 days to get you the COBRA information and then you have 30 days to elect to take the coverage or not

Minor correction - you have 60 days to elect to take the coverage or not, and from the day you make the election (whether it's day 1 or day 60) you have 45 days to make the first payment.

I agree with the rest of the post.