Product Designer Launches Free AI-Powered Layoff Support Tool RIF Surfer

Amanda Snyder Cathey, a senior product designer based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has created a free layoff support tool called RIF Surfer. The website is intended to help individuals understand and access resources after losing their jobs.

Cathey's inspiration for RIF Surfer stemmed from her own experiences. She was laid off from a senior product design role at a real estate tech company in February, shortly after finalizing her divorce and then facing an unexpected need to move from her rented home. These events, coupled with the process of reapplying for financial aid for her college-bound daughter, underscored the challenges and complexities of post-layoff navigation.

She discovered she qualified for certain benefits, such as unemployment even after receiving a severance package, and Medicaid, which she was previously unaware of. This experience motivated her to consolidate such information for others who might be in a similar "fog" after job loss.

RIF Surfer functions as a centralized resource where users can search by state for information on unemployment benefits, health insurance, health coverage, food assistance, and other critical resources. It also includes mental health resources and a checklist of steps to follow after a layoff, aiming to demystify complex processes.

Cathey, primarily a designer, built RIF Surfer in one week using an AI assistant, Claude, a process she described as "vibe coding." The development costs were limited to her Claude subscription and some additional usage fees, amounting to approximately $50. Cathey intends to keep RIF Surfer free for users, although she sees potential for future monetization through partnerships with outplacement firms or enterprise clients who might white-label the tool.

According to Business Insider, Cathey views RIF Surfer as a free community resource, providing a "soft landing" for those seeking to rebound after a layoff.