Can’t pay your bills? You’re not alone and help is available

If you cannot afford your bills, you are not alone. A lot of us are feeling the squeeze right now, including people who have always managed before.

Prices have gone up, pay has not always followed, and sometimes the numbers just do not add up, no matter how many times you check.

This guide is here to help you work out what to do next. Not everything. Just the next step.

We’ve been there. And struggling with bills is not a personal failure. It is a money problem, and money problems can be sorted with the right support.

What to do first when you can’t pay a bill

When a bill arrives, and we already know there is no money to cover it, panic kicks in.

Some of us shove the letter in a drawer. Others stop opening post altogether. To tell you the truth, I’ve done both. Not because we all don’t care. It’s because it’s a lot.

The first thing to do is open the bill and check it properly. Look at the amount, the dates, and whether it is based on an estimate. Mistakes happen more often than you’d think.

Once you’ve done that, contact the company as soon as you can. Phone, email, online chat, whatever feels easiest. You do not need to have the perfect words ready.

A simple sentence is enough:

“I’m struggling to pay this bill. What help is available?”

That’s it. That one sentence opens the door.

Companies are expected to support customers who are struggling. You’re not asking for special treatment. You’re asking for help, you’re allowed to have.

Who to contact for free help in the UK

If you can’t face dealing with companies yourself, or you’ve got more than one bill hanging over you, free advice can really help.

These services do this every day. They won’t judge you, they won’t rush you, and they won’t charge you.

Citizens Advice

StepChange Debt Charity

• Good if things feel tangled or you need a clear plan.
• They can help you work out what to pay and when.
• Helpline: 0800 138 1111
• https://www.stepchange.org/

National Debtline

MoneyHelper

Turn2us

Extra help with energy bills

If energy bills are the main worry, you can get specialist help depending on where you live:

These services can help you understand your rights, speak to your supplier, and push back if something doesn’t feel right.

Extra support if you’re vulnerable

If you have a long-term illness, a disability, are pregnant, older, or have young children, ask your energy supplier about the Priority Services Register.

It’s free and can give you extra help and protections, such as priority support during power cuts.

You can also find out more about whether you’re eligible for extra support from them.

Help if you can’t pay your rent

If you are struggling to pay your rent, you are not alone, and help does exist.

Contact your landlord or housing provider as soon as possible. You do not need to have the money or a long explanation. Letting them know early often makes things easier to manage.

Many landlords would rather agree a short repayment plan than let rent arrears build up. Housing associations and councils also have teams who can offer support.

Ignoring rent problems can make them escalate quickly. Speaking up early gives you more options and more protection.

Help if you can’t pay your mortgage

If you are worried about your mortgage, it is important to act early, even if you have not missed a payment yet.

Contact your lender and explain that you are struggling. Lenders are expected to offer support when people are in financial difficulty.

This can include short-term help such as reduced payments or a temporary pause. These options are easier to access before arrears grow.

Mortgage lenders do not want people to lose their homes. Early contact gives you time, space, and more ways to deal with the problem.

Help with energy bills

Energy bills are one of the biggest stress points for households right now.

If you’re struggling to pay, your supplier should offer support.

That might mean spreading payments over a longer period, lowering your monthly direct debit, or setting up a payment plan that actually fits what you can afford.

Many suppliers also have hardship or support funds, though they don’t always shout about them.

It’s also very common to be in credit without realising. We see this a lot, especially when direct debits are set too high or readings are estimated.

If you are in credit, you may be able to get money back or use it to reduce future bills.

These guides may help:

If something doesn’t feel right with your supplier, a free advice service can help you push back.

Council Tax help if you are struggling

Council Tax letters can feel heavy, especially when they land close together or sound serious straight away. Help does exist, even if it’s not always obvious.

If you’re on a low income, you might be able to apply for Council Tax reduction. This can lower your bill and sometimes reduce it by a lot. Every council runs its own scheme.

If you’ve fallen behind, it’s really important to contact your council early.

Many can agree on payment plans or offer short-term hardship help. Leaving it too long can add extra costs, which just makes things harder.

We’ve heard from readers who ignored council tax letters for months because they were scared.

When they finally called, the council helped set up a payment plan they could manage, and the pressure eased almost straight away.

Help with water, phone, broadband and other bills

It’s not just energy and council tax that cause problems. Smaller bills can quietly build up in the background.

Water companies offer support schemes for people on low incomes or benefits, sometimes capping what you pay.

Phone and broadband providers often have social tariffs, which are cheaper deals for people on certain benefits.

Most people only find out about these by asking. It’s worth a call.

If you are behind on more than one bill

When several bills are overdue, it can feel impossible to know where to start. This is where slowing everything down really helps.

Focus on priority bills like Council Tax first, then other bills, like energy, or anything to do with your home.

Try not to pay one bill to stop one letter while ignoring the rest. That usually creates more problems later.

Free debt advice services can help you look at the full picture and work out a plan that fits your life, not an ideal one.

Emergency help if money is really tight

If there’s no money left for essentials like food or heating, help is available.

Local councils run welfare assistance schemes that can help with food, fuel, or basic items. Charities and community groups can also step in with short-term support.

If you’re struggling to eat right now, this guide explains what help you can get today: No money, nothing to eat.

Using emergency help doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re dealing with a tough moment and using the support that exists for times like this.

What to say when you ask for help

If you’re worried about saying the wrong thing, you can use these exact words.

When speaking to an energy company:
“I’m struggling to afford my energy bills at the moment. I want to talk about what support is available and what payment options I have.”

When speaking to your council:
“I’m struggling to pay my council tax, and I’m worried about falling behind. I’d like to ask what help or payment options are available.”

When speaking to a debt advice charity:
“I’m struggling to pay my bills, and I’m not sure what to deal with first. I need help making a plan.”

If you need urgent help:
“I don’t have enough money for food or essentials right now. I need urgent help.”

That really is enough. You don’t need to justify yourself.

What needs action now, and what can wait

If everything feels urgent, use this as a quick sorter.

Things to act on first:

• housing issues
• council tax
• food
• energy bills

Things that can usually wait:

• non-essential subscriptions
• store cards
• lower-priority debts

You don’t have to tackle everything at once to move forward.

One clear step to take today

You don’t need to fix everything.

Today, do just one thing:

• choose one bill
• contact one company or advice service
• ask what help is available

That is real progress.

If you’re struggling with bills right now, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means money is tight, and there are people and services ready to help you through it.