When money is tight

Where to start

This page is for people in work whose pay does not comfortably cover the month: a bill has gone up, hours have dropped, or payday and the Direct Debits do not line up. It gathers our guides and tools into four groups, so you can go straight to the one that matches the problem in front of you.

• When the bills do not add up: use this for a bill you cannot pay or arrears that are building up. It points to official support schemes and social tariffs in each UK nation, and to the order in which to tackle essential bills.
• Check the support your pay affects: use this if you are not sure what you can claim, or what a change in pay will do to it. The earnings rules for Universal Credit, Carer’s Allowance and Child Benefit are explained here.
• Budget around the money reaching your bank: use this when the money is enough over a year but not on the day. It covers four-weekly and irregular pay, annual bills and reviewing regular household costs.
• Work through a change with your own figures: use this if you are weighing up more hours, overtime or a pay rise. Each tool shows what would be left after deductions and the costs you enter.

If you are already behind on essential bills, begin with the first group before anything else, because it links to free, official help. The guides explain the rules and list their sources. The tools give estimates from the figures you enter. They do not decide a benefit claim, so confirm what you are entitled to with the official service before relying on a figure.