Working full time but still struggling to pay the bills?
At a glance
- Many people working full time — including on minimum wage — still run short each month.
- Pay priority bills first: rent or mortgage, council tax, energy and anything with a court order.
- Check what you can claim — many working households get Universal Credit or Council Tax Reduction.
- Ask energy and water suppliers about social tariffs and hardship schemes.
A first-week checklist
- List your income and every bill, then mark the priority ones.
- Pause or reduce payments to credit cards and loans while you get help.
- Do a free benefits check — it only takes a few minutes.
- Call us or request a callback if the numbers still don't add up.
Borrowing to pay bills
- Using a credit card, overdraft or payday loan for food or energy often makes things worse.
- If you are already doing this, it's a sign to get free help now — not a failure.
- Never pay for debt help: good help is free.
Common questions
- Can I get benefits if I work full time?
- Possibly. Universal Credit depends on your household income, rent and children, not just your hours. A benefits calculator will show you.
- What if I can't afford bills on minimum wage?
- Check benefits, Council Tax Reduction and social tariffs first, then speak to free debt help about your other debts.
Useful links
Want to talk it through? It's free and confidential.