Skipping meals to pay bills: what to do if you can’t afford food and bills
Skipping meals so you can pay bills is a sign that your budget is under serious pressure. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means the cost of essentials may now be more than your income can cover.
Recent research from Which?’s Consumer Insight Tracker found that one in ten UK households had skipped meals in the month to 10 April 2026 to reduce food costs. Which? estimates this is equal to around 3 million UK households. The same research found that one in seven households had gone without some foods because of rising costs.
At a glance: what to do if you’re skipping meals to pay bills
If you’re cutting back on food to pay bills, look for food support first. Then check which bills are most urgent and whether speaking to an adviser could help you understand your options.
Priority bills, such as rent, mortgage, council tax and energy, usually need attention before unsecured debts like credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts.
If debt repayments are making food unaffordable, speaking to an adviser may help you understand which payments to prioritise and what support could be available. This doesn’t mean you have to agree to a debt solution. It can simply help you see what steps you could take next.
Watch: Debt Doctor answers “Should I skip meals to pay bills?”
If you’re worried about missing payments, it can feel like skipping meals is the only way to keep up. In this Debt Doctor video, we explain why your health needs to come first, how bills can be prioritised, and why getting support early can help you understand what may be possible.
Read video transcript
Dave:Let’s have a look.
I know I’m struggling to get by every month, but I’d rather skip meals than miss paying a bill because I’m scared of what will happen.
What should I do?
Oh my goodness.
Robbing Peter to pet Paul is something we hear all the time.
You know I’ve got to prioritise the roof of my head.
Absolutely you do.
Of course you do.
Don’t skip meals.
Ultimately, there’s always a priority to things.
Yes, keeping a roof over your head, Yes, paying the bills, But your health’s more important than anything else.
Please don’t skip meals.
Please reach out to us.
I guarantee with a bit of budgeting advice we can negotiate those credit to repayments down, free up a bit of money for you so you’re not skipping those meals.
Please, please, please.
Life’s way too short.
Look after yourself.
Let us help you.
If you need food today
If you don’t have enough food today, look for immediate local support first.
This could include:
- a food bank
- your local council
- a community food project
- a local charity
- a school, college or family hub if you have children
Some food banks need a referral from a GP, school, council, charity or advice service. Others may let you contact them directly.
If you’re worried about your health because you haven’t been eating enough, consider speaking to a healthcare professional. Financial pressure can affect your physical and mental wellbeing, and you don’t have to manage that alone.
Once you’ve looked at immediate food support, the next step is to understand which bills need attention first. For more practical steps, read our guide on what to do when you can’t afford food.
Why are people skipping meals to pay bills?
Many households are still feeling the pressure from high living costs. Even if inflation has slowed, food, energy, housing and transport can still take up a large part of someone’s income.
For some people, the problem isn’t one big debt or one missed payment. It’s the fact that everyday costs keep adding up.
You may be trying to cover rent, council tax, gas and electricity, food shopping, travel, childcare and debt repayments from the same income. If your money doesn’t stretch far enough, food can sometimes become the thing you cut back on.
This may happen because bills feel more urgent, creditors are contacting you, or you’re worried about what could happen if you miss a payment.
That pressure can be very difficult to manage. But food is an essential need. If you’re going without meals to pay bills or even considering it, it’s worth getting support as soon as you can.
What to do first if you can’t afford food and bills
When money doesn’t cover everything, start by separating immediate needs from urgent bills.
First, check whether you have enough food for today. Then write down what money is coming in, which bills are due soon, and which payments have already been missed.
This can help you see what needs attention first and make it easier to ask for support.
Should I pay bills or buy food?
Food is an essential need. You shouldn’t have to skip meals to keep up with payments.
At the same time, some bills have more serious consequences if they’re missed. These are often called priority bills.
A priority bill is a payment where falling behind could lead to serious action. This could include losing your home, court action, deductions from your wages or benefits, or your energy supply being affected. Energy suppliers must follow rules before taking action, so it’s important to contact them if you’re struggling.
Priority bills may include:
- rent or mortgage payments
- council tax
- gas and electricity
- court fines
- child maintenance
- TV licence payments, if you need one
- hire purchase payments for essential items, such as a car you need for work
This doesn’t mean other debts don’t matter. Credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts and Buy Now, Pay Later payments still need attention. But the consequences are usually different.
If you’re not sure which payments to deal with first, money guidance or debt advice can help you understand the difference between priority bills and non-priority debts. If you’re not sure where to start, our bill prioritiser can help you understand which bills may need attention first. You can also read more about the difference between priority and non-priority debts.
What support may be available if you can’t afford food?
Support can vary depending on where you live and your circumstances. But there may be options worth checking.
Local council support
Your local council may offer emergency help through local welfare support or the Household Support Fund, where available. This could help with food, energy or other essentials.
The support available depends on your council and current funding.
Food banks and community food support
Food banks and local community groups may be able to provide emergency food parcels or low-cost food.
There may also be community fridges, social supermarkets or local food projects in your area.
Benefits check
If your income is low or your circumstances have changed, check whether you’re getting all the support you’re entitled to.
This could include Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit, Pension Credit, disability-related benefits, or help with childcare costs.
Turn2us has a benefits calculator that can help you check you’re receive all the benefits you’re entitled to.
Energy supplier support
Some energy suppliers offer grants, hardship funds, repayment plans or extra support for customers who are struggling. You can ask your supplier what help may be available.
If you’re on a prepayment meter and you can’t afford to top up, contact your supplier. They may be able to offer emergency or temporary credit.
If energy costs are part of the problem, read our guide on what happens if you can’t pay your energy bills.
School and family support
If you have children, check whether you qualify for free school meals, Healthy Start, local school uniform support, or help through your child’s school.
Some schools and family hubs can also signpost to local food and money support.
Contact your suppliers and creditors if you’re struggling
If you can, contact the people you owe money to before a payment is missed. If you’ve already missed payments, it’s still worth getting in touch.
You may be able to ask for a payment plan, extra time to pay, a temporary reduction in payments, support from a hardship team, or a review of your account.
Energy suppliers, councils, lenders and other creditors may have support options. These are not always guaranteed, and what’s available can depend on your situation. Asking early may give you more time to understand your options.
If you find it hard to make these calls, you could write down what you want to say first. You can also ask someone you trust to sit with you while you call.
What if you’re using credit to pay for food or bills?
Using credit for food or bills can sometimes feel like the only option. This might include a credit card, overdraft, loan, Buy Now, Pay Later, or borrowing from family and friends.
Credit can help in the short term. But if you’re using it regularly for essentials, it may be a sign that your income is not covering your basic costs.
Over time, this can make things harder. Repayments can build up, interest and charges may be added, and Buy Now, Pay Later payments can become difficult to track.
Borrowing from family or friends can also put pressure on relationships, especially if you’re not sure when you’ll be able to repay the money.
Try not to take out more credit without checking the full cost and how you’ll repay it.
If you’re already borrowing to buy food or pay bills, speaking to an adviser may help. They can look at your full situation and explain what options may be available.
If you’re relying on credit regularly, our guide to living on credit cards every month explains some steps you can take.
What not to do when bills feel unmanageable
When you’re under pressure, it’s normal to avoid letters, calls or online accounts. But ignoring the problem can make it harder to deal with.
Try not to ignore letters, texts or emails from creditors. They may include important information about missed payments, support options or next steps.
It’s also important not to pay whoever contacts you the most without checking which bills are priorities. Some creditors may contact you more often, but that doesn’t always mean their payment should come first.
Try not to take out more borrowing without understanding the cost. If money is already tight, new credit could make future payments harder to manage.
When could debt advice help?
Debt advice may help if bills, debts or arrears are making it hard to afford food.
It may be useful if:
- you’re skipping meals to make payments
- you’re behind on bills
- you’re using credit to cover essentials
- creditors are contacting you
- you’re not sure which debts to pay first
- you’re worried about court action, bailiffs or losing your home
- your payments are no longer affordable
Debt advice looks at your income, spending, debts and priority bills. It can help you understand what options may be suitable for your circumstances.
This might include budgeting support, payment arrangements with creditors, Breathing Space or debt solutions like a Debt Management Plan, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement, a Debt Relief Order or bankruptcy.
Breathing Space is a government scheme that may give temporary protection from some creditor action while you get debt advice.
Different options have different risks, fees and effects. Not every option will be suitable for everyone. Any recommendation should be based on your individual circumstances.
The right route depends on your income, debts, assets, bills and personal circumstances. It’s important to understand all suitable options before deciding what to do.
You don’t have to wait until things get worse
Many people wait until they’ve missed several payments before asking for help. But you can get support earlier than that.
If you’re already cutting back on food, using credit for essentials or choosing which bills to miss, that’s enough reason to seek guidance.
Getting advice doesn’t mean you have to agree to a debt solution. It can simply help you understand:
- what you owe
- which payments are most urgent
- what support may be available
- whether creditors can be contacted
- what options may fit your circumstances
Even if your situation feels hard to untangle, there may still be steps you can take.
You may not be able to change everything straight away. But getting a clearer picture of your bills, debts and support options can make the situation easier to deal with.
FAQs
Start by looking for immediate food support, such as local council help, food banks or community food projects. Then check which bills are most urgent. If debt repayments are stopping you from affording essentials, debt advice may help you understand your options.
Priority bills usually need attention first because the consequences of missing them can be more serious. These may include rent, mortgage, council tax, gas, electricity, court fines and child maintenance. If you’re unsure, speak to a debt adviser before deciding what to pay.
Using credit for food can help in the short term, but it can become risky if it happens often. Repayments, interest and charges can build up. If you’re regularly using credit for essentials, it may be a sign that you need support with your wider budget or debts.
Your energy supplier may be able to offer support such as a repayment plan, hardship help, emergency credit or a review of your payments. Support is not guaranteed, but it’s worth asking what’s available.
Breathing Space is a government scheme that may give temporary protection from some creditor action while you get debt advice. It does not write off debt, but it can give you time to understand your options.
If debt repayments are leaving you without enough money for food, it may help to speak to an adviser. They can look at your income, essential bills and debts to help you understand which payments are most urgent and what options may be available.
Yes, debt advice may help if debts, arrears or bill payments are making it hard to afford food. An adviser can look at your full situation and explain possible next steps based on your circumstances.
Getting support
Skipping meals to pay bills is not something you should have to manage alone.
If debt repayments or missed bills are making it difficult to afford food, getting debt advice can help you understand your options. MoneyPlus can explain what may be suitable based on your circumstances.
If money worries are affecting your household, getting support can help you understand your options. MoneyPlus can help people struggling with unsecured debt understand possible next steps. Fees may apply to some services after advice, and any fees and risks will be explained before you decide. For free, impartial money guidance, you can also visit MoneyHelper.
