Have you been made redundant? Here's what to do next

Being made redundant can be very difficult, especially if you weren’t expecting it, but help is available for those who suddenly find themselves without a job.

Experts explain that from ensuring you have the correct amount of redundancy pay, to checking whether you’re eligible for any benefits or grants, to getting a new job, there are ways to make the transition easier and protect your finances.

It’s also important to remember that being made redundant is not your fault, and you’re not alone – according to Office for National Statistics figures, approximately 4.9 per 1,000 employees in the UK were made redundant between October to December 2025.

Read more: 

• What to do if you’ve been made redundant
• Money advice: How to access financial support quickly
• Youth unemployment at its highest point for a decade: ‘It’s like running into a brick wall’

Here’s what the experts say about how you can take control of your finances after a redundancy.

Make sure you have the correct redundancy package

Your first port of call is Acas’s information about your rights to make sure you are receiving a suitable redundancy package. The guide explains how to appeal a redundancy if you think it’s unfair.

According to MoneySavingExpert, exactly how much you could get as redundancy pay depends on how long you’ve worked at your job. Most companies have their own specific policies on redundancy pay, but those who have worked for their employer for at least two years will be eligible for statutory redundancy pay.

“If you’ve worked for the same company for at least two years and paid enough national insurance contributions, you’ll qualify for ‘statutory redundancy pay’. This the legal minimum you’re entitled to, but always check your contract – you might get more,” said Money Helper. “Some contracts also offer redundancy pay-outs even if you haven’t worked there for two years or are on a fixed contract.”

You can use the government’s redundancy calculator to find out how much statutory redundancy you are entitled to, based on your age, weekly pay and number of years in the job.

If you’ve worked at your employer for less than two years – or you’re working on a zero-hour contract or freelance – you might not be eligible for any redundancy pay, but it’s still important to check with your employer.

It’s also worth noting that your redundancy pay might affect your benefit entitlement, as any money you get from your employer in redundancy pay counts as savings. Turn2us has some useful information about whether you might be affected.

Check if you’re eligible for support

If you’re concerned about your finances after being made redundant, there could be support available to help you with the cost of living.

You could be entitled to benefits and tax credits, and can use a free benefits calculator to check what you may be entitled to. There are several available if you search online, including via Turn2us, StepChange, entitledto or Policy in Practice. According to Turn2us, people who are found to be eligible through its benefits calculator receive, on average, an extra £5,000 a year

Turn2us also has a grant searcher, which can help see if you’re eligible to access funds which could help you pay your bills. There are also plenty of grants listed energy companies themselves which could help you to pay if you’re struggling with your energy bills.

StepChange also has an emergency funding page, which offers information on what to do if you need emergency help with money and food. 

There are also certain discounts you can claim if you’re looking for work. If you’ve been claiming jobseeker’s allowance or universal credit for three to nine months (18-24 year olds) or three to 12 months (over 25s), you’re entitled to a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card, which gets you a 50% discount on selected rail tickets.

Get help finding another job

Finding another job after a redundancy can feel daunting, but reaching out for support can help you with applications and interviews. Money Helper suggests that adding to your existing skills or gaining qualifications in a new area after redundancy are “good ways of improving your chances of getting another job”.

“You’ll find lots of retraining choices open to you when you’ve been made redundant, from apprenticeships and internships to part-time, full-time or distance study courses at college or university,” the organisation said.

In England, contact the National Careers Service for career guidance. In Scotland, it’s Skills Development Scotland; in Wales, Careers Wales and in Northern Ireland, it’s nidirect.

The Big Issue has also compiled a comprehensive set of articles which could help you to find a job, from CV guides, to reducing job-hunting stress, to apprenticeships.

• What job should I do? How to build a career on your unique strengths
• How to write a CV that will get you a job
• CV templates: Free downloads for job application success
• Job interview questions: How to answer and what to ask
• How to retrain in 10 crucial areas desperate to hire
• How to retrain for a new job when you’re over 50
• How to reduce job hunting stress
• How to get mental health support at work
• What is flexible working and how can you ask for it? 
• Setting up a side hustle? Here’s what you need to know
• How to write that resignation letter and move on with your career
• How to get a job with a criminal record
• You could be entitled to free money – use a benefits calculator to find out
• Here’s where to find career advice whatever your situation
• How to go self-employed: From registering to flourishing
• The gig economy and your finances: How to make it work for you
• How to prepare for the unexpected with an emergency fund
• Apprenticeships: Everything you need to know
• Apprenticeships: How to get a job once your placement ends
• What is my right to strike?

Charity Turn2us has also listed several useful resources that can help you in your job hunt, including information on the Flexible Support Fund which can go towards transport for job interviews, as well as tips on apprenticeships and benefits.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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