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Employment ending
What your termination notice means, how claims are handled and the role of the Redundancy Payments Service.
Free Guide
A Guide for Employees
Understand redundancy payments, employee claims and the next steps following company liquidation.
This practical guide explains what employees can expect when an employer enters liquidation, including how claims are submitted to the Redundancy Payments Service, what information is required and when applications can be made.
Written in plain English by Parker Walsh, the guide covers redundancy pay, unpaid wages, holiday pay, statutory notice pay, processing times, benefits and protective awards.
10 Page PDF
PARKER WALSH
A GUIDE FOR EMPLOYEES
Redundancy Payments and Employee Claims
10 PAGE GUIDE
✔ Clear employee guidance
✔ Free instant download
✔ Plain English explanations
✔ Updated July 2026
Practical redundancy guidance
What's inside this guide
Losing your job because an employer has entered liquidation can feel sudden and confusing. This guide explains the claims process clearly, helping you understand what you may be entitled to and the steps you need to take.
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What you can claim
Redundancy pay, holiday pay, unpaid wages, overtime, bonuses, commission and statutory notice pay.
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How to apply
The two online applications, the CN and LN reference numbers, and when each claim can be submitted.
04
Information and processing
The employment, pay and bank details you will need, plus what to expect while your application is processed.
05
Benefits and next steps
Applying for relevant benefits, mitigating a notice-pay claim and keeping supporting evidence.
06
Protective awards and help
When an employment tribunal claim may be relevant and where to find further official support.
Understand your position
Why download this guide?
When an employer enters liquidation, employees are often left with urgent questions about unpaid wages, redundancy, holiday entitlement and notice pay.
The Redundancy Payments Service can pay certain eligible employment-related claims from the National Insurance Fund, subject to statutory rules and limits. Different payments can require separate applications and may become available at different times.
This guide explains when you can apply, why you need a case reference number, what information to prepare and how long payments may take. It also explains what happens if the amount owed is greater than the RPS can pay.
You will also find guidance on applying for benefits, keeping evidence, making reasonable efforts to find alternative work and considering a protective award where consultation did not take place.
The guide is general in nature. For information about a specific liquidation or your individual claim, contact the insolvency practitioner dealing with the case or use the relevant GOV.UK service.
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Clear guidance from Parker Walsh.
About Parker Walsh
Guidance delivered with clarity and care
Parker Walsh Corporate Recovery is led by Molly Monks F.I.P.A., a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner with more than twenty years of insolvency experience.
The team supports company directors, employees, creditors and other stakeholders through formal insolvency procedures, providing clear information and professional communication throughout each case.
Where Parker Walsh is acting as liquidator, employees can contact the case team with questions about the company or the information provided to the Redundancy Payments Service. Questions about an individual RPS decision should be directed to the relevant government service.
Read Molly's profile →Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CN number?
The CN number is the case reference needed to make an online claim. It is provided once the company has formally entered liquidation. Contact the insolvency practitioner if you have not received it.
What payments can I apply for?
Depending on your eligibility, claims may include statutory redundancy pay, accrued holiday pay, unpaid wages and other money owed, plus statutory notice pay through a separate application.
When can I claim statutory notice pay?
You can apply for loss of notice pay after your notice period has expired and once you have received your LN reference number. Selecting notice pay in the main redundancy application does not complete the separate claim.
How long does the RPS take to pay?
The RPS expects to make payments for redundancy, holiday and arrears of pay within six weeks of receiving a complete application and the necessary information from the insolvency practitioner.
Do I need to apply for benefits or look for work?
You are expected to mitigate a claim for loss of notice by applying for relevant benefits and making reasonable efforts to find alternative employment. Keep evidence of applications and decisions.
What is a protective award?
If an employer did not consult employees before making redundancies, an employee may be entitled to compensation called a protective award. This normally requires a claim to an employment tribunal.
Official claim services
Useful tools and applications
Need help with a specific liquidation?
If Parker Walsh is dealing with your employer's liquidation, our team can help with questions about the case and the claims information supplied to the RPS.
For an individual claim decision, contact the Redundancy Payments Service or use the relevant GOV.UK service.
