Apply through the Redundancy Payments Service once the insolvency practitioner gives you a case reference number.
Quick facts
- Redundancy pay
- After 2 years' service
- Unpaid wages
- Up to 8 weeks
- Holiday pay
- Up to 6 weeks
- Weekly cap
- £751 a week
- Deadline
- 6 months from dismissal
What you can apply for
Depending on your situation, you can apply to the government for:
- a redundancy payment
- holiday pay
- outstanding payments like unpaid wages, overtime and commission
- money you would have earned working your notice period (‘statutory notice pay’)
Payments are capped.
Redundancy pay
You’re normally entitled to redundancy pay if you:
- have been made redundant
- were an employee
- were continuously employed by the insolvent business for 2 years or more
Redundancy payments are capped at £751 a week (£719 if you were made redundant before 6 April 2026).
You can get a payment for a maximum of 20 years that you were employed at the business.
Wages and holiday pay
You’re only entitled to money that’s in your employment contract.
You’ll get up to 8 weeks of money you’re owed. It counts as a week even if you’re only owed money for a few days.
You’ll only get payments for up to 6 weeks of holiday days.
When to apply
Apply for redundancy, unpaid wages and holiday within 6 months of being dismissed.
You may be eligible for unemployment benefits if you lose your job. If you do not apply for benefits after you lose your job, you might get less money in your statutory notice pay payment.
Common questions
Who pays if my employer goes bust?
You can apply to the government for redundancy pay, holiday pay, unpaid wages and statutory notice pay.
How much unpaid wages can I get?
Up to 8 weeks of money you’re owed, capped at £751 a week.
Is there a deadline?
Yes. Apply for redundancy, unpaid wages and holiday within 6 months of being dismissed.
Should I claim benefits too?
Yes. If you do not apply for benefits after you lose your job, you might get less money in your statutory notice pay payment.