What to Do When Your Spouse Loses Their Job: A Complete Guide
- The loss of a spouse’s job can be financially devastating for both of you.
- Understand the emotional impact and support your spouse as best as you can.
- Work together to create a budget, review your savings, and come up with a plan to cover your bills.
Table of Contents
If you depend on your spouse’s job to help pay for your day-to-day expenses and save for the future, it can be hard to learn that they’ve been let go at work. And you may not be sure what to do when your spouse loses their job.
Once you’ve gotten over the shock, there are steps you can take to get through this shakeup together. Here’s a rundown of what to do when your spouse loses their job.
First Steps to Take When Your Spouse Loses Their Job
The loss of a job can be shocking to the person who's been laid off and the person who depends on that now-lost income (you). It's important to know how to protect your finances in the near term.
Immediate financial steps
As soon as you learn that your household will be down a paycheck, it's important to spring into action.
Assess your emergency fund: If you have an emergency fund, figure out how many weeks or months' worth of expenses you can cover based on your savings and, if applicable, your remaining household income (it may be that you're still working). Immediately look for expenses you can cut or shed on a temporary basis.
Figure out health insurance: If you relied on your spouse’s job for health insurance, you need to figure out another way to get coverage. If you’re working, see if you and your spouse can get onto your employer plan. If that’s not an option, consider COBRA (which lets you continue lost employer-sponsored coverage, often at a high cost, for a period of time) or more affordable solutions like the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. You can also find out if you qualify for Medicaid.
File for unemployment benefits: If your spouse is laid off through no fault of their own, they may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Those benefits won’t replace your spouse’s paycheck in full, but they can replace a portion. Benefits are usually paid weekly, and the amount you get depends on your state and former salary. Each state has its own process and requirements for filing for unemployment, so start with your state's Department of Labor and follow directions. Do this right away, since it can take weeks for unemployment claims to get approved.
Look at getting paid out on unused sick or vacation time: Your spouse may have unused vacation or sick time they accrued but didn't get to use before they were let go. They may be eligible to be paid for those days and should talk to their company’s human resources department about that.
Understand your spouse's severance package: Your spouse may be entitled to a severance package that includes a lump sum payment or other benefits (such as extended health coverage for a period of time). The details should be outlined in a separation agreement provided by your spouse's employer. Read it carefully to find out what benefits you're entitled to and what rights your spouse may be giving up by signing the separation agreement. Even if money is tight, consider consulting with an employment lawyer to guide you and help negotiate better terms.
Emotional support in the first days
Losing a job can be shocking, and the first few days may be the hardest on your spouse. Give them a few days to come to terms with the news. Don't push your spouse to start sending out resumes and making calls right away. They may need a few days to recover emotionally before they can start taking action.
It's also important not to add to your spouse's stress, even if you're worried about what the loss of their job means for your household. Be supportive and, if need be, talk to a friend or family member about how you're feeling when your spouse isn't within earshot.
If you have children and they're old enough to understand what's happening, be honest about the situation while minimizing the fear factor. Explain that while you may have to cut back on certain expenses temporarily while your spouse looks for work, you have the situation under control.
In a situation like this, it can be tricky to strike a balance between showing your spouse you care and nagging. Set some ground rules based on your spouse's needs. If they'd rather you only ask how they're doing once a day, follow that guidance.
Financial Planning During Unemployment
When your spouse loses their job, it's important to protect your finances. The sooner you get a handle on your financial situation, the less long-term damage your spouse’s situation might cause.
Creating an emergency budget
Any time your household income drops, it's important to get onto a tight budget. Identify your essential versus non-essential expenses to figure out which bills you need to prioritize and which can be easily cut. Remind yourselves that you won't be forced to cut back on the things you enjoy permanently. Rather, it's a temporary situation.
Understanding your resources
Even with unemployment benefits, you may be looking at a reduction in household income that makes it tough to cover your essential bills. Take a look at the other funds you might have available to get through this period.
If you have an emergency fund, now's the time to access it. You may be inclined to leave your savings alone and turn to a credit card to cover your bills. But it doesn't make sense to rack up costly credit card debt if you have money in the bank to tap first.
If you're 59 1/2 or older, you may also be able to withdraw from your IRA or 401(k) to cover your expenses while you look for work. But aim to do so as sparingly as possible to avoid a retirement savings shortfall. And if possible, try to leave your IRA or 401(k) alone if you're younger than 59 1/2. Otherwise, you could be hit with a 10% early withdrawal penalty plus income taxes on the withdrawn amounts.
If your household income has taken a severe hit, you may be eligible for other government benefits, like SNAP or Medicaid. Review the requirements in your state to find out if you qualify.
If you don't have another way to cover your essential bills, you may have to take out a personal loan or charge some expenses on a credit card until your spouse is employed again. If a credit card is your only option, find out if you qualify for a 0% introductory interest rate.
Managing debt during income loss
If you already owe money on a loan or credit card, you may be eligible to pause or lower your payments temporarily. Many credit card companies, for example, offer forbearance during periods of financial hardship, including unemployment. Reach out to learn what options you have. If you're given permission to temporarily stop paying your debts, make sure your lenders and credit card companies won't be reporting you as delinquent to the credit bureaus.
If you can't pause or lower any of your payments, prioritize your secured debts, like your mortgage and auto loan. Falling behind on those could lead to foreclosure or having your car repossessed.
Supporting a Husband Through Job Loss
Losing a job can be difficult, no matter which gender you identify as. There are certain challenges men might face after being laid off, and it's important to try to help your spouse through them.
Understanding the male identity crisis in unemployment
Losing a job can be especially challenging for men due to societal expectations that they be the providers for their households. Many men tie their identities to their jobs, and so the loss of a job could easily lead to a loss of self-esteem.
Interestingly, a recent study published in Labor Economics found that women had a greater risk of remaining unemployed and earning a lower income in the first two years following the loss of a job than men. But because of the gender pay gap, men commonly earn more money than their similarly qualified female counterparts. Therefore, when a man loses a job, it can deal more of a financial blow than when a woman in a similar role loses her paycheck.
If your husband lost his job, it's important to be aware of signs that he's struggling emotionally.
These could include:
Refusing to get out of bed, change his clothing, or bathe
Overeating or not eating at all
Isolating from friends and family members
Lashing out or being easily irritable
Not sleeping, or sleeping excessively
If your spouse is experiencing these or similar symptoms, you may want to suggest that they speak to a therapist for help coping.
Effective support strategies for spouses
Figuring out how to best support your husband after losing a job can be tricky. One good approach is to directly ask your spouse what support he could use the most.
Maybe he wants help revising his resume. Or maybe he'd rather handle the job search himself and have you support him in other ways, like taking your kids out of the house on weekends so he has time to work on boosting his skills. Have that talk so you can offer the most help without causing conflict.
It's also important to help your spouse boost their confidence after losing a job. Remind them of their strengths and accomplishments at previous jobs, and do your best to reassure them that the current situation is not their fault.
If you have a large professional network, offer to reach out and ask for help—but only with your spouse's permission. Even though losing a job is nothing to be ashamed of, your spouse might feel embarrassed. As eager as you may be to help with their job search, it's important not to overstep.
When your husband gets discouraged in the job search
The U.S. unemployment rate is rising. A lot of people are struggling to find jobs across a range of industries, and recession and tariff fears may be stopping some companies from increasing their headcounts.
In early 2025, the Wall Street Journal found that more than 1.6 million unemployed workers had been actively looking for a new job for at least six months. You may want to keep that statistic to yourself so your spouse doesn't get even more discouraged. But do remind them that they're in good company if it's taking time to find a job. There’s no specific problem with them that's making the process drag out.
To boost your spouse's mood, celebrate the small wins during their job hunt, such as when a hiring manager writes back and offers positive feedback, or when a company chooses another candidate but says they'll keep your spouse's resume around for future opportunities. If you see your spouse's mood and outlook take a serious turn for the worse, strongly encourage them to talk to a therapist or another medical professional.
The Job Search Process: How to Help Your Spouse
Searching for a job can be a frustrating experience. It's important to support your spouse while they're going through the process.
Modern job search tactics that work
Responding to job listings isn't as effective a strategy as it once was. Many companies use AI to screen resumes, so it's important to increase the chances of your spouse's resume being seen by an actual person.
To that end, encourage them to build an effective LinkedIn profile, and help out if they ask. Also encourage your spouse to reach out to their network to ask for help, and to expand their network to open the door to more opportunities.
It's also a good idea for your spouse to look into industry-specific resources that could make it easier to find work again. That could mean going to free or low-cost industry events or signing up for different newsletters.
If your spouse is on the older side, it's also important that they do what they can to avoid falling victim to age discrimination. Some tricks include:
Not listing when your spouse graduated college on their resume if it was a long time ago
Only having your spouse list their most recent 15- to 20-year work history
Eliminating other signs that your spouse may be older, like an AOL email address
Supporting without micromanaging
When you're trying to support a spouse in a job search, it can be challenging not to cross the line into micromanaging. Offer your spouse constructive feedback on their resume and cover letters when asked, but try your best not to criticize or nit-pick every single word. Unless your spouse is applying to be a professor of linguistics, using simple language in a cover letter probably won't hurt them.
If your spouse starts feeling burned out, encourage them to take a break from their job search here and there. They may need a few days off to clear their head and think about something else. If you want to help them feel productive, suggest tackling a home project you've both been putting off.
How Freedom Debt Relief Can Help
Although unemployment doesn’t directly affect your credit, losing a job could make it difficult to keep up with your expenses. That could lead to new debt and cause you to fall behind on existing debt. Your finances could suffer.
Some lenders and credit card companies will let you pause your debt payments while you're unemployed, but that's not guaranteed. If your debt keeps growing while your spouse is out of work and you don't see a light at the end of the tunnel, it's time to reach out for help.
It may be time to reach out to a debt relief company if:
You're at risk of losing your vehicle or home
Your credit score has dropped significantly
You're losing sleep over your inability to pay your debt
Freedom Debt Relief can help couples struggling with job loss get a handle on their debt. Depending on your situation, you might be eligible for debt settlement, which could reduce your debt.
The most important thing to remember is that you don't have to go through this crisis alone. Freedom Debt Relief can help explain your choices and work to help you find a solution that can put you on the path to a better financial future. Click here to set up a free consultation.
Insights into debt relief demographics
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking debt relief during August 2025. The data provides insights about key characteristics of debt relief seekers.
Age distribution of debt relief seekers
Debt affects people of all ages, but some age groups are more likely to seek help than others. In August 2025, the average age of people seeking debt relief was 52. The data showed that 23% were over 65, and 16% were between 26-35. Financial hardships can affect anyone, no matter their age, and you can never be too young or too old to seek help.
Student loan debt – average debt by selected states.
According to the 2023 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) the average student debt for those with a balance was $46,980. The percentage of families with student debt was 22%. (Note: It used 2022 data).
Student loan debt among those seeking debt relief is prevalent. In August 2025, 27% of the debt relief seekers had student debt. The average student debt balance (for those with student debt) was $48,703.
Here is a quick look at the top five states by average student debt balance.
| State | Percent with student loans | Average Balance for those with student loans | Average monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 34 | $71,987 | $203 |
| Georgia | 29 | $59,907 | $183 |
| Mississippi | 28 | $55,347 | $145 |
| Alaska | 22 | $54,555 | $104 |
| Maryland | 31 | $54,495 | $142 |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a student loan balance over $0.
Student debt is an important part of many households' financial picture. When you examine your finances, consider your total debt and your monthly payments.
Regain Financial Freedom
Seeking debt relief can be the first step toward financial freedom. Are you struggling with debt? Explore options for debt relief to regain control of your finances. It doesn't matter how old you are or what your FICO score or credit utilization is. Take the first step towards a brighter financial future today.
Show source
Author Information
Written by
Maurie Backman
Maurie Backman is a personal finance writer with over 10 years of experience. Her coverage areas include retirement, investing, real estate, and credit and debt management.
Reviewed by
Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly Rotter is a financial counselor and consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.
Will losing a job hurt my credit score?
The loss of a job won’t directly affect your credit score, since employment isn’t a factor in calculating it. But the loss of income you experience could cause you to fall behind on your debts. That, in turn, could result in a lower credit score.
Can I pause my debt payments if I’ve lost my job?
That’s up to your lenders and credit card issuers. Contact them and let them know your situation. They may agree to pausing your payments for a time without reporting you to the credit bureaus as delinquent on your debt.
Should I take out a loan if I’ve lost my job to cover my expenses?
It can be tricky to qualify for a loan if you don’t have an income. Plus, you might struggle to pay the loan back if you aren’t working.
How do I tell my husband he needs to find a job?
If your husband lost his job, he probably knows he needs to find a new one. Reminding him of that may not be helpful. Instead, find ways to support his job search and offer encouragement along the way.
What benefits can my husband get if he lost his job?
Your husband may be entitled to unemployment benefits, severance, compensation for accrued time off, and other government benefits.
My husband keeps losing jobs. How can we break this cycle?
If your husband keeps getting laid off, you may want to research whether that's part of an industry-specific trend. If not, your husband may need to do some soul-searching to figure out why he keeps landing in that situation. That may involve reviewing and boosting his skills to protect himself in the future.
How long does unemployment typically last?
The amount of time it takes to find a job after losing one depends on economic circumstances, the industry you're in, and the specific job you're looking for. Unemployment benefits typically last for 26 weeks in most states.
Should we use credit cards to cover expenses while my husband is unemployed?
Only use credit cards to cover expenses during unemployment if you have no other choice.
How can we protect our credit score during unemployment?
Reaching out to your lenders and credit card companies is the best way to protect your credit score while someone in your household is out of work. They can walk you through your options, which may include forbearance, deferred payments, or some other type of relief.
What should I do if my husband is depressed after job loss?
It's common to feel down after losing a job. If your husband is experiencing signs of severe distress, don't hesitate to seek out medical help.
Can Freedom Debt Relief help if we're falling behind on bills due to unemployment?
Freedom Debt Relief can review your financial situation and walk you through your options if you're out of work.
Personal Finance
