The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word FOOTED
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
F
O
O
T
E
D
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Paid for" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case paid for = footed.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FOOTED mean?
FOOTED verb- To use the foot to kick (usually a ball).
- To pay (a bill).
- To tread to measure or music; to dance; to trip; to skip.
- To walk.
- To tread.
- To set on foot; to establish; to land.
- To renew the foot of (a stocking, etc.).
- To sum up, as the numbers in a column; sometimes with up.
- (in combination) Having a specified form or type of foot or number of feet.
- (usually in combination) Consisting of, or having been put into, metrical feet (of a specified character or number).