Blue Monday – get help if you’re struggling with bills this January

Is there a more miserable month than January? The Christmas tree’s down, the chocolates are dwindling, and we’re all skint. The inevitable festive hangover has started.

Blue Monday and overdue bills

Most of us spend more than we mean to at Christmas. It’s easily done; there are about a thousand different people to buy presents for, nights out, little treats, and clever marketing ploys to get us spending on “festive cheer” experiences.

Then there’s the early December payday. Sounds great at the time… until you realise January has fifty‑odd days in it and somehow never ends. By the time Blue Monday rolls round, many of us are running on fumes.

To make things even worse, loads of bills land right around then. Rent. Council tax. Energy. Oh, and all those BNPL payments from the Christmas shop.

And it’s not just you feeling it.

Citizens Advice say they always see a big jump in people asking for debt help in January. Last year, the busiest day was the 21st — the day after Blue Monday.

So, the struggle is real, but there’s definitely support out there if you need it. Here’s a quick overview.

What to do if you’re struggling with household bills

You can get support with most day‑to‑day costs. Have a look at our cost of living hub which is packed with resources and information on tackling household bills.

If it’s a short-term cashflow problem and you think you’ll be able to pay what you owe fairly quickly, sometimes all it takes is a quick call to your provider to explain your situation. They can be very understanding when it’s a one off and you’ve let them know in advance you’re struggling.

But, if it’s persistent debt, you might need more support. Here’s a quick overview of what’s available.

• Energy bills – check with your energy supplier to see if you’re eligible for a hardship grant; many energy providers offer financial support or payment schemes if you’ve fallen behind on your bills.
• Council tax – reach out to your council to see if you’re eligible for any discounts or reductions; discounts are based on your circumstances and can be offered if you’re a student or you live alone, for example – reductions can be offered at the council’s discretion if you’re facing financial hardship.
• Rent and mortgages – contact your landlord or your lender in the first instance; they can help arrange payment holidays or payment plans if necessary.
• Water bills – it’s worth checking if you qualify for a social tariff on the Consumer Council for Water (CCW)’s website; they can also discuss options like the Watersure scheme where you can get help with your bills in some cases.

What to do if Christmas debt is weighing you down

The pressure to overspend on Christmas is high, and with credit cards and BNPL arrangements, it’s easy to spread payments and lose track of how much you’ll owe come January. So if you’ve opened up your phone to multiple “festive surprises” in the form of credit card bills and BNPL reminders, don’t panic.

To start with, credit cards are generally considered non-priority debts. This doesn’t mean you can get away with not paying them, but it does mean things like your rent, energy bills, and council tax need to be addressed first as the consequences of not paying those are more serious. We dig into the difference between priority and non-priority debts in one of our cost of living guides.

You also have options when it comes to credit card debt. You can:

• Ask your lender for a payment holiday or speak to them about a more manageable payment plan.
• Consider a balance transfer credit card which does come with charges but can lower your overall interest due to 0% introductory interest rate offers.
• Contact an organisation like Citizens Advice or MoneyWellness to discuss your specific situation and get advice on options like debt consolidation.

We talk about these options in more detail in our guide to paying off credit card debt.

If you can’t afford the basics until payday

Lots of people run out of money in January. If the fridge is looking bare or you’re worried about getting through the next week, here’s where you can get help:

• Apps like Olio and Too Good To Go where you can get free or discounted food
• Food banks and community pantries (you may need a food voucher to get help from a food bank)
• Your local council’s Household Support Fund (extended until March 2026 to offer help with essentials including food)

January hits hard, but you don’t have to face money worries on your own. Whether it’s bills, debt, or just getting through to payday, help is out there. Take a look at our cost of living hub for more resources and information on what to do if you’re struggling.