Even though the furlough scheme has ended, there’s still support available to you if your job is at risk, you’re sick, or if you have caring responsibilities.
If you’re worried about losing your job
Facing job loss can be a very stressful time, but there are some things you can do to prepare.
To be entitled to redundancy pay, you will usually need to have been with a company for at least two years. However, if you’re entitled to redundancy pay, this can be a good coushion until you’re back on your feet.
Find out more in our section on Losing your job
Learn more in our guide on Redundancy pay
If you’re facing redundancy during your apprenticeship, the government has launched a new service which offers free advice and can help you find new opportunities.
Find out more about redundancy support for apprenticeships at GOV.UK.
Lay-offs, furlough and reduced hours
If you’ve been asked to take unpaid leave, and your contract allows you to be unpaid during this period, you might be able to claim Guarantee Pay.
You might also be able to claim new-style Jobseekers Allowance and, if you need help with other costs, Universal Credit.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, or furlough scheme, allowed employees who couldn’t work due to the pandemic to continue receiving up to 80% of their salary. The furlough scheme ended in September 2021.
Find out more about lay-offs and short-time working at GOV.UK.
Find out more in our guide Working reduced hours as an alternative to redundancy
Join our Cost of Living Facebook group
Join our private Cost of Living Facebook groupOpens in a new window to discuss all things family finance, from the rising cost of living, benefits, debt or talking to your children about money.
If you’re entitled to sick pay
Your rights to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) depend on your employment status and earnings.
If you’re an employee and earn more than £123 a week
If you’re an employee and earn at least £123 a week, you will be able to get £99.35 a week for up to 28 weeks. If this is coronavirus related or any other illness, it will be paid from the fourth day you’re off sick.
If you’ve been paid SSP in the last eight weeks and it started on the fourth day of sickness, then you will be paid from the first day of sickness.
Some employers have more generous contractual sick pay schemes. It's worth checking your contract, staff handbook or with your employer.
Got a question?
Contact us for free and impartial money guidance.
If your employer refuses to pay you SSP
The government has said that it will pay the costs of SSP for smaller employers, so claiming it shouldn't be a problem. If you do have a problem;
Contact the HMRC statutory payment dispute team:
Telephone: 0300 322 9422
Textphone: 0300 200 3212
Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.
If you’re an employee and earn less than £123 a week
If you’re employed but your earnings are too low to claim SSP, you might be able to claim Universal Credit if you have a low household income and you and your partner have savings of less than £16,000. You can do this online.
Don’t delay making a claim for benefits, even if you think you might have been affected by coronavirus.
However, if you're already getting any of the following benefits, which are being replaced by Universal Credit, and need to make a claim for Universal Credit because of coronavirus, check with the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service as soon as possible.
- Housing Benefit
- Tax credits
- Income Support
- Employment and Support Allowance.
You can find out how they might be affected and get advice about your situation. If you want to apply for Universal Credit if living in Scotland visit the Citizens Advice Scotland website.
Find out more about coronavirus and your rights at workOpens in a new window on the Acas website.
If you’re in Northern Ireland, visit the Labour Relations AgencyOpens in a new window
Find out more in our guides:
Different kinds employment status
Employment contracts and your employee rights explained
If you have caring responsibilities
You’re entitled to take time off to care for a dependant. There are no rules about how much time you can take off and you should talk to your employers about your options. You might also be able to take time off as holiday leave.
Learn more about time off to care for a dependantOpens in a new window at Acas.
Find out more about rights for carers and clinically extremely vulnerableOpens in a new window on the Working Families website.
You also have the right to ask for flexible working, such as reducing or altering your working hours, and time off in emergencies.
Find out more about help and support for carersOpens in a new window at Citizens Advice.
It’s important you reach an agreement with your employer before deciding not to turn up to work, as this can be treated as an unauthorised absence.
Help with the cost of living
Worrying about money because of rising rents, high energy bills or debt? If so, we're here to help.
Take the first steps to find your way forward with our guides to help you with the cost of living.
Test and Trace Support Payment
From 24 February 2022, the Test and Trace Support Payment is no longer available if you live in England.
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and are told to self-isolate, you can still get support if you can’t work from home and are claiming:
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit, or
- Housing Benefit.
In Scotland, this is called the Self-Isolation Support Grant and is worth £500.
In Wales, it’s called a self-isolation payment and is worth £750.
In Northern Ireland, it’s called a Discretionary Support Self-Isolation GrantOpens in a new window and you can find out more about it on the NI Direct website.
Your local authority will make this payment.
You will have to show proof of your employment to qualify, and checks will be carried out to confirm you’re unable to work from home.
