I Can’t Pay My Bills – What Do I Do?

According to The Money Charity, a UK household spends £3.43 daily on average on water, electricity and gas. But if, for whatever reason, you find yourself struggling to make ends meet and can’t pay your bills, it can be scary. If this sounds like something you’re going through, our guide is here to help you work out what to do and how to get your bill payments back on track.

Struggling to pay bills?

If you’re having trouble paying your bills, you might start to feel overwhelmed and stressed about money. However, it can bring comfort to know that you’re not alone. Many others will struggle with paying bills at some point in their lives, and with the cost-of-living crisis affecting many people’s finances, this is becoming more common. If you find yourself in a position where you’re struggling to pay your bills and you don’t know what to do, seeking support from loved ones can help keep you calm while you work through your difficulties. Having the support of those around you is essential for ensuring your situation doesn’t begin to affect your mental health.

What to do if you can’t pay your bills

Whether your bills have stacked up to the point where you can’t afford them, you’ve been left with a higher-than-usual bill, or you’ve lost your income and have no way to pay, there are multiple reasons why you could struggle to pay your bills. The following advice is here to help you get yourself out of a sticky situation with unpaid bills and missed payment dates. 

Try to keep calm

With unpaid bills looming over you, your mental health can take a dip. While it’s normal to feel this way over missed payment dates, it’s crucial that you take a step back and allow yourself to calm down before deciding on your next steps. When you’re in a panicked state, you become vulnerable and are more likely to do something rash to fix the situation. Do something that you know will relax you or at least distract you from the situation to help calm yourself before you do anything about your bills.

Address the problem directly

Ignoring unpaid bills is never a good idea. Not only can this lead to you worrying and stressing more, but it can also worsen the situation overall and lead to further missed payments. If this goes on for long enough, your providers could cut off critical services and get in touch demanding payments that you might not be able to manage.

Instead of sticking your head in the sand, address the problem head-on and make a plan to regain the control you’ve lost when it comes to your bills. This will stop it from hanging over your head and show your providers that you’re doing something about it. 

Seek support from family & friends

 You’ll need a good support system around you if you end up in debt and can’t pay your bills. Opening up to your loved ones about your financial situation might feel daunting and difficult at first, but having trusted family and friends around you who you can talk to about your struggles can be incredibly helpful. As the old saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved.

Contact the company

It’s always worth contacting the company directly to see if there’s any way they can help. Creditors can extend the payment deadline, create a personalised payment plan that works better for you, or give you the option of breathing space which could pause communication, interest or payments for a while. Plus, making them aware of your situation and that you’re willing to work with them directly to come to an arrangement can give you some extra leeway while you sort out your plan.

Assess finances & budgets

Take this opportunity to assess all your finances and budgets. Look at where your money is being spent and see if there’s any room for upcoming spending to be reduced or cut. This could include pausing or cancelling subscriptions you might have for streaming services and other entertainment. This could free up cash that can be used towards paying your essential bills. 

Seek help

Further support and advice are out there should you need it. You can get in touch with StepChange, who have a dedicated support page for those in a state of emergency and might be struggling to pay for essential bills. From information on what to do in different situations to advice on budgeting and managing your finances, they can help you feel less alone while supporting you in getting back on your feet.

Citizens Advice can also offer support and advice for those having trouble paying bills. Check out their page on getting help with bills to see the eligibility criteria for further support and specific guidance based on your circumstances.

Alternatively, you can talk through your money worries, including issues with paying essential bills, with our dedicated advisors at UK Debt Service. We believe that simple and easy signposting for support is crucial, which is why we’ve partnered with the National Support Network to bring you access to a free support hub containing various support services, resources, or organisations that can assist you with everything from struggling with bills and cost-of-living-related issues to housing and mental health concerns. You can register for access here.