There is another explanation..
As you said:"laid off right before interview", you will not have problems with paystubs. You can request a job letter before your laid-off and after your interview notice (the notice will come to you weeks earlier than your interview appointment). But if your \'right before\' means a period more than your pay cycle + extended payments time and you have been too bad with your \'x\'-employer to get a letter, you need to find job before interview. Otherwise, you will be starting over again.