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If your employer is 'insolvent' this means it cannot pay its debts - your rights if this happens, claiming money owed to you, where to get advice

• Overview

  Your employer is insolvent if it cannot pay its debts. They might: make…

• Your rights

  You have different rights depending on whether your employer: makes you…

• What you can get

  What money you’re entitled to depends on: how long you were employed what…

• Apply for money you're owed

  You’re eligible to apply if: you were an employee you’re a UK or EEA…

• After you apply

  It usually takes up to 6 weeks to get your payment but can take longer.…

Free and impartial help with money and pensions.

• Updated: 21 December 2017

PAYE procedures to follow if you pay holiday pay in advance or run a holiday pay scheme for your employees.

• Updated: 12 June 2014

Use a mediation service, send a statutory demand, go to court or make someone bankrupt if a person or business owes you money

How to take legal action if someone owes you money (small claims court), how much it costs, what happens next. Includes information from withdrawn guidance EX303, EX304, EX306, EX321, EX325 and EX350.

• Updated: 16 July 2026

• Updated: 22 April 2016

How to avoid getting into financial difficulties abroad or get financial help abroad if something goes wrong.

• Updated: 21 October 2026

How to issue a winding up petition - forms and fees to wind up a company to recover any money you're owed.

Find out if you’re a money service business and need to register with HMRC under the money laundering regulations.

• Updated: 18 August 2023