Check your rights when your employer becomes insolvent — redundancy pay, unpaid wages, notice pay, and holiday pay claims from the National Insurance Fund — checked against official sources.
↓ Try the Checker NowIf your employer becomes insolvent, you can claim statutory redundancy pay, up to 8 weeks' unpaid wages, up to 6 weeks' holiday pay and notice pay from the National Insurance Fund (NIF) via the Insolvency Service.
In England, Wales and Scotland, the protective award for failure to collectively consult is up to 180 days' gross pay per employee — and insolvency does not exempt employers from this obligation.
Key areas covered: employer insolvency, National Insurance Fund, redundancy pay, unpaid wages, protective award, administration. Checked against official sources.
Beyond statutory redundancy pay, the NIF covers specific qualifying debts subject to statutory caps — unpaid wages, holiday pay, and notice pay among them. You'll generally need to register as a creditor with the insolvency practitioner handling the employer's affairs to make your claim properly.
Claims to the NIF, and any wider creditor claims for amounts beyond the statutory caps, are often first-come in terms of what's left in the pot — getting your claim in promptly, with clear supporting evidence like payslips and your contract, genuinely improves your position.
This checker gives you a plain English read on your specific situation, answered only from its own guide for your part of the UK, checked against official sources. No login needed, and your answer is generated instantly based on what you tell us.
Our guidance covers many common situations, but complex or high-stakes cases need professional advice. For employment issues, contact ACAS in England, Wales and Scotland (0300 123 1100) or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland (03300 555 300). For free general advice, contact Citizens Advice (England 0800 144 8848, Wales 0800 702 2020), Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) or Advice NI (0800 915 4604). For urgent housing problems in England, Shelter can help on 0808 800 4444.
Further reading: our blog explains how redundancy pay is calculated and the current caps.
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Describe your employment situation and we'll check your rights
Tip: Tell us how long you worked there, what you are owed, and what stage the insolvency is at — administration, liquidation, or dissolved.
Include how long you worked there, what you are owed, the type of insolvency (administration, liquidation, dissolved), and whether a liquidator has been appointed.
Free · Guidance only, not legal advice
Who pays me if my employer goes bust?
The government Redundancy Payments Service can pay some of what you are owed. In Northern Ireland, claims go to the Northern Ireland Redundancy Payments Service (Department for the Economy).
What can the Redundancy Payments Service pay?
In England, Wales and Scotland it can pay redundancy pay, up to 8 weeks of unpaid wages, up to 6 weeks of holiday pay and statutory notice pay (up to 12 weeks). From 6 April 2026 each week is capped at £751 in England, Wales and Scotland and £783 in Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland it can pay redundancy pay, up to 8 weeks of wages, holiday pay and compensatory notice pay.
How do I apply?
In England, Wales and Scotland you need a CN (case reference) number from the insolvency practitioner or official receiver. Apply for redundancy pay within 6 months of being dismissed.
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The checker answers only from the guide for the nation you choose, plus what you tell it. If your question is not covered there, it says so instead of guessing. Each guide was checked against primary sources on 24 September 2026.
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Directed and published by Matt Thompson, founder of UK Work Rights. Guidance checked against GOV.UK, ACAS and legislation.gov.uk. This is general rights guidance, not legal advice.
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