Laurel: "Why is there so much guilt associated with lack of income?"
Kellog Bluff:  guilt - the formation and structure thereof --- is associated and related to Expectation. 
Being in a Judeo-Christian environment, being a woman born and raised in the 20th century in North America (whether middle class or not) --- has all contributed to the generic idea that, when in a relationship --- a woman must somehow do MORE than be a child-rearing partner.
If the woman is not in this role - and in a relationship where the sourced income and resultant basic-needs acquisition is made from --- then there has been historical peer pressure for the woman to be a "bread winner" - as though to be a "real" woman, she must BE everything and DO everything a man can do.
You have not lost the ability to earn an income --- you have simply lost a single OPPORTUNITY to do so....and this is such an important difference to point out, that I will forgo the usual retorts about strict and binding upbringings and the value of Contracts in a relationship.....and I will say this:
A relationship should be experienced, and built upon, based on the accumulation of both "soft" and "hard" times. Experiencing only the "soft" times, a partner never gets the opportunity to see his/her other half Perform under pressure for the good of the couple. A true, lasting, loving relationship needs to stand the test of time and trial...both partners must learn to depend on the other for all necessities, yet be comfortable and independent enough to become the primary provider should one of the partners "take a hit," like becoming unemployed.
This is a tall order --- but there is no other decent reason to enter into a relationship. Using the love of money or sex or loneliness boredom or adventure as the reason to get into and stay in a relationship --- is all about selfishness and self-absorbed action.....neither are worth the time of day to someone seeking to Remember who they are and where they came from.
You need to consider speaking to your partner about this feeling of guilt - and allow him the opportunity to share his feelings with you. I'm sure he will tell you, as I am telling you, that you are Not to blame for the layoff, and that it is more important that you both are happy and healthy right now, and that you will eventually find a job you can be happy at. You are both fortunate that your financial situation allows the flexibility to have one partner temporarily out of work; many relationships do Not have that luxury nowadays. 
Always look upon your relationship as the best opportunity you have....to gain positive experience and spiritual enlightenment, especially through the "hard" times. If you cannot do this --- then you need to examine why your relationship cannot provide this wonderful energy --- or why you are simply not Allowing it to do so .
yeowza 
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