Can my employer make me redundant while I am on furlough?
What can I do if my employer has reduced my hours?
From July 2020, employers can use a combination of furloughing and part-time work.
From 1 November, employers can get support through the Job Support Scheme.
You should also check whether your employer has the right to reduce your hours
Whether or not you are on furlough or the Job Support Scheme, you are likely to see your income drop.
Most of the time, it will still be better for you to work the reduced hours than to quit the job altogether. You can claim benefits alongside working. If you claim Universal Credit, the number of hours you work won’t affect your benefit entitlement at all. Universal Credit is only based on your earnings, not the hours you work.
Use our Benefits Calculator check whether you can get help to top up your income and whether you would be better off in work or not.
Use our Grants Search to check whether any charities might be able to support you.
I have been shielding and I am still not comfortable to go back to work. Can I stay on furlough?
From 1 August 2020, the shielding scheme officially comes to an end, except in local lockdown areas.
From 31 October the furlough scheme comes to an end.
To be able to access the replacement for the furlough scheme, you have to be working at least one fifth of your usual hours.
You might be able to get support from the Access to Work scheme to help you to get to work without using public transport, or to help with adaptations needed to either make your workplace safe or enable you to work from home.
If you really aren't confident to go back to work, you could ask your doctor if they are willing to sign you off sick.
Use our Benefits Calculator to check what benefits you can claim.
Use our Grants Search to check whether any charities might be able to support you.
What can I do if I can't work because I have to look after my child?
Your employer has to give you time off to look after your children. However, they don’t necessarily have to pay you while you are off. Check your employment contract. Some contracts give people paid time off to look after dependents.
If you have to leave your job for reasons of childcare, you won’t be sanctioned on your benefits for doing so.
Use our Benefits Calculator to check what benefits you can claim.
Use our Grants Search to check whether there are any charities that might be able to support you.
What if I can't work because I or someone in my household is sick with coronavirus?
If you are an employee and you usually earn at least £120 per week, you should be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay of £95.85 per week. You might also be entitled to contractual sick pay, which would mean you would be paid more than £95.85 per week.
It doesn’t matter if you are working full time or part time. As long as you earn at least £120 per week, you will be paid the full rate of Statutory Sick Pay.
Your employer should not ask you for a sick note for the first seven days. Employers have been asked not to ask for sick notes at all but some still might. If your employer does need you to provide a sick note, you can get one using the NHS online service.
If you are in England or Scotland and have been told to self isolate, from 28 September you may be able to get a £500 one-off Coronavirus Self Isolation Payment to help you.
Whether or not you get Statutory Sick Pay, you are likely to see your income drop.
Use our Benefits Calculator to check what benefits you can claim.
Use our Grants Search to check whether there are any charities that might be able to support you.
I am worried about Council Tax. What can I do?
If you are struggling with Council Tax, use our Benefits Calculator to see if you are entitled to Council Tax Support/Reduction. If you are, contact your council to make a claim for it. Your council may also offer a discretionary scheme to help with Council Tax. This might be able to help even if you are not entitled to Council Tax Support/Reduction or if your Council Tax Support/Reduction doesn’t cover all the Council Tax you have to pay. Some councils are offering payment holidays on Council Tax. Check your council's website to see what their rules are.
I am worried about bills. What other help can I get?
Mortgage
If you have a mortgage and are struggling to meet your payments, you can ask your lender for a mortgage holiday. This won’t affect your credit rating. However, other lenders might be able to see you have had a mortgage holiday.
The mortgage holiday scheme was extended on 4 June 2020. People will be able to request mortgage holidays until 31 October 2020.
If your mortgage holiday is coming to an end, it is important to communicate with your mortgage lender. You can get another holiday of up to three months or other help such as cancelling interest. If your mortgage lender doesn't hear from you, they might assume you can afford to start making payments again.
Rent
If you are struggling with your rent, first check what help you can get through the benefits system.
You could also speak to your landlord and ask if they would be willing to let you pay rent late. The suspension on evictions has come to an end. So if you are behind on your rent, it is very important you get advice as soon as possible.
Household bills
If you are struggling with household bills, speak to your utility providers and let them know why you’re struggling.
Lots of utility providers have schemes in place to help people who are struggling with money because of coronavirus.
Debts
If you have debts, get in touch with your creditors and ask them if you could suspend payment. Lots of lenders have special policies in place to help people who are affected by coronavirus.
Credit cards and personal loans
You can ask for a three-month payment holiday on credit card debts and personal loans. This will not affect your credit rating. However, other lenders might be able to see that you took a payment holiday. When the payment holiday comes to an end, you can request one further one or can ask to make smaller payments.
Interest-free overdrafts
You can ask your bank for a £500 interest-free overdraft facility on your current account. The overdraft will be interest free for three months. If you have already had an overdraft for three months, you can ask for a further three month overdraft. If you are already overdrawn by less than £500, you won't be charged any fees.
Car loans
You can ask for a three month payment holiday on car loans. If you come to the end of a payment holiday, you can ask for a further three months holiday.
Payday loans
You can ask for a one-month payment holiday on payday loans. At the end of that month, you should get in touch with your lender to see if they are willing to offer further support. If you are struggling with payday loans, you should get free, independent, non-judgemental debt advice.
Pawned possessions
If you have pawned any of your possessions, you can ask for a three-month extension on repayments before the items you have pawned are sold. If you come to the end of a payment holiday, you can ask for a further three months.
Rent-to-own
If you have any items on rent-to-own, you can ask for a three month payment holiday. If you come to the end of a payment holiday, you can ask for a further three months.
Get free specialist debt help
Payment holidays are only a temporary fix and won't help with debt problems in the long term. If you are worried about debt, you should get free, specialist debt help.
Everyone knows this is a stressful, difficult time for a lot of people. There is a lot of support out there but if you don’t ask for it you won’t get it.