Community’s partner, StepChange, the UK’s leading debt charity, wrote this guest blog on six things you can do if you’re worried about money due to a reduced income.
Find out what to do if you’ve lost your job, you’re concerned about your job security, or if you’ve had your hours reduced.
- Check you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to
As well as Universal Credit and other benefits for people who are out of work or on a low income, there reductions and rebates you may be entitled to – including Council Tax reductions.
Use a free benefits calculator to make sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to.
- Make the most of temporary help available from creditors
Creditors, including banks and energy companies, are open to allowing their customers to have payment breaks, or helping them in other ways.
If you’re worried about not being able to make an important payment, get in touch with the company you owe money to and explain.
Your creditors may be able to:
- Reduce or delay your mortgage payments
- Reduce or delay your rent payments
- Reduce or delay your unsecured loan repayments
- Allow you to access your savings early
- Offer you more credit
- Reduce or pause your gas or electricity bills
- Reassess your energy arrears
- Pause or reduce your car finance payments
- Get a clear picture of your income, savings and debts
Working out your budget is the first step in taking control of your finances. You’ll need to:
- Gather details of all your debts – by opening all the letters you’ve had about them, getting up-to-date balances or checking your credit file if you’re not sure what debts you have
- List everything you need to spend on household essentials each month, along with the details of your debts and any income, to work out your monthly budget.
You can share your budget with creditors to show them you’re paying what you can afford.
- Get emergency help – food and drink
If you’re severely short of money, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
The Trussell Trust has over 1,200 foodbanks across the UK and is a good place to start if you’re looking for a local foodbank.
Find out if your children are eligible for Free School Meals – this includes the voucher schemes and food packages sent during the school holidays.
- Get emergency help – financial assistance
If you’re struggling with your energy bills, ask your utility provider if they have any schemes to help people on low incomes, which many of them have.
If you’re on a water meter and receive certain benefits, you may be able to apply for WaterSure which allows you to have your bills capped.
You could also contact a Credit Union who offer loans and help with managing savings. Community members can join Capital Credit Union here.
For emergency money to cover food and bills, ask your local Jobcentre Plus about hardship payments and short-term benefits advances
You can also contact your local council and find out how to apply for their welfare assistance scheme.
Different emergency funding is available depending on where you live in the UK.
- If you live in England,get in touch with your local council to find out if they can help
- If you live in Scotland, you may be able to apply for a Scottish Welfare Fund
- If you live in Wales, you may be able to apply for the Discretionary Assistance Fund
- If you live in Northern Ireland, you may be able to apply for Finance Support
If you are a Community member and are struggling, you may be eligible for our member support fund. Find out more here.
- Get free and impartial debt advice
Whatever your situation, getting some professional advice will help you to deal with your money worries. It also helps to demonstrate to any companies that you owe money to that you’re dealing with your financial difficulties.
- Free online advice from StepChange Debt Charity: https://www.stepchange.org/debt-advice-start.aspx
- Reduced income guide: https://www.stepchange.org/how-we-help/reduced-income-guide.aspx
- Emergency help guide: https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/emergency-funding.aspx
For more information about StepChange and to access their support and advice, visit their website here.
If you are a member of Community and need help or advice, please contact us at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2026
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