If you’re struggling to pay bills - such as energy bills, rent, internet or council tax - there are steps you can take to make things easier.
This post is relevant for everybody finding it hard to pay bills, whether you a worried about an upcoming bill, your account has been handed to a debt collector, or if you are already on a payment plan but it’s not working for you.
It can be tempting to ignore it and stick your head in the sand, but this will only make things worse.
Don’t ignore bills or letters about money that you owe.
Taking that first step to manage your debt can be hard, but when you do you will start to feel more in control, less stressed, and you will find something that works for you long term.
Get in touch with the company, or debt collector, that you owe money to as soon as possible.
Be upfront and honest with them about your situation. You’ll normally find that they are understanding. They might let you:
Some companies have schemes in place to help their customers in financially vulnerable circumstances.
For example, many energy providers have grants and schemes in place for their customers in need.
If you are struggling to make payments, most lenders and debt collectors will give you at least 30 days ‘breathing space’ to give you time to come up with a plan.
Breathing space usually means that:
You should contact your lender to request breathing space.
If you live in England or Wales, you can also use the government’s Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme) which will give you temporary protection for up to 60 days, plus another 30 if you’re getting mental health crisis treatment. To apply for this Breathing Space scheme you need to talk to a debt adviser.
Debt advice is free, impartial and confidential.
You can find a comprehensive list of debt advisors, including StepChange and Citizens Advice here:
Debt advisors will be able to:
You will not be forced to take any actions - debt advisors simply give impartial suggestions on the best way to manage your money.
StepChange offers a useful tool for understanding the kind of advice or guidance you might like to consider.
You should check if there are benefits you can claim, or if you can increase your current benefits.
You can find out what grants and schemes might be available to you on Turn2Us. Citizens Advice and your local council will be able to help you apply.
Via the Household Support Fund, your local council will be able to help with things like:
You should apply by contacting your local council:
The cost of living payments are there to help customers struggling with bills. They include:
They will be paid automatically to people in receipt of certain benefits, so you should check that you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to.
It’s usually more expensive to take out a loan to cover bills that you’re struggling to pay, since you’ll have to pay extra costs such as interest. It’s also bad idea to put bills on your credit card, for the same reason.
You should instead contact the company you owe and consider free debt advice.
Worrying about bills can take a huge toll on mental health, so make sure to look after yourself and don't be afraid to ask for help.
Remember that you are not alone and support is available.
We are here to support you every step of the way on your journey out of debt. If we have contacted you about an outstanding balance, please don’t ignore it - we are here to help.
If you cannot afford your bills, we will be happy to explore options such as delaying your payments, revising your payment plan, offering breathing space or referring you to a debt advisor.
Just get in touch.
