Struggling on zero-hours or part-time work?
Unpredictable pay makes budgeting hard. Here's how to steady things and where to get help when hours drop.
At a glance
- Budget around your lowest typical month, not your best one.
- Universal Credit can rise automatically when your earnings fall.
- Tell creditors early if your hours drop — offering a lower payment is better than missing one.
- You still have rights at work, including holiday pay and the minimum wage.
Handling uneven pay
- Set aside a little in good weeks to cover quieter ones, if you can.
- Keep payslips together — you'll need them for benefits and payment plans.
- Ask for bill dates to be moved to just after payday.
When hours suddenly drop
- Report changes to Universal Credit straight away.
- Contact priority creditors before a payment is missed.
- Call us — we can help you put together a realistic offer to creditors.
Common questions
- Can creditors refuse a lower payment?
- They can, but most will accept a fair offer backed by a budget. We can help you prepare one.