What is Help to Save?

For people on Universal Credit who had take-home pay of £1 or more in their last assessment period.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Help to Save lets some people on Universal Credit get a 50p bonus for every £1 saved over 4 years.

Save £1 to £50 each calendar month.
Bonuses are paid at the end of years 2 and 4.
The account closes after 4 years and you keep the money.
It's government-backed.

Key facts

50p per £1 saved
Up to £50 a month
Runs 4 years

Who can open a Help to Save account

You can open an account if:

you get Universal Credit, and
you (with your partner, if you claim together) had take-home pay of £1 or more in your last monthly assessment period

Take-home pay means pay after deductions such as tax and National Insurance. If you claim Universal Credit as a couple, you can each open your own account.

You must live in the UK. If you live abroad, you can still apply if you are a Crown servant or in the British armed forces, or the husband, wife or civil partner of one.

How the bonus works

You pay in between £1 and £50 each calendar month. You do not have to pay in every month. The account runs for 4 years and you get two bonuses.

Bonus	When	How it is worked out
First bonus	End of year 2	50% of the highest balance you reach in years 1 and 2
Final bonus	End of year 4	50% of the difference between your highest balance in years 3 and 4 and your highest balance in years 1 and 2

The most you can save is £2,400 (£50 x 48 months), and the most you can get in bonuses is £1,200. Bonuses are paid into your bank account, not your Help to Save account.

Example 1: saving the maximum

You pay in £50 every month and never take money out.

After 2 years your balance is £1,200. First bonus: 50% of £1,200 = £600.
After 4 years your balance is £2,400. Final bonus: 50% of (£2,400 minus £1,200) = £600.
Total bonuses: £1,200.

Example 2: saving less and taking some out

You save £25 a month for 2 years, so your balance is £600 and your first bonus is £300. Over the next 2 years you take some money out but still push your highest balance up to £800. Your final bonus is 50% of (£800 minus £600) = £100. Total bonuses: £400.

Taking money out makes it harder to grow your balance. If your highest balance in years 3 and 4 is no higher than in years 1 and 2, you get no final bonus.

How it affects your benefits

If you and your partner have £6,000 or less in personal savings, this will not affect your Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
Help to Save bonuses do not affect Universal Credit or Housing Benefit payments.

How to apply

Sign in with your Government Gateway user ID, or create one.
Prove your identity with your National Insurance number or postcode, plus two of: a UK passport, a UK photocard driving licence, tax credit claim details, Self Assessment details from the last 2 years, or information from your credit record.
Give your UK bank details. This is where your bonuses will be paid.

Things to know

The account closes 4 years after you open it, and you keep all your savings and bonuses.
If you close it early, you miss your next bonus and cannot open another account.
It is available wherever you live in the UK.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for Help to Save

Common questions

Does Help to Save affect Universal Credit?

Your bonuses will not affect your Universal Credit, and your savings will not either if you and your partner have £6,000 or less in personal savings.

What is the most I can get from Help to Save?

The most you can earn in bonuses over the 4 years is £1,200.

Can I take money out of a Help to Save account?

Yes, but withdrawing makes it harder to grow your highest balance and could mean you do not get a final bonus.

What happens to Help to Save if I stop getting Universal Credit?

You can keep using your Help to Save account even if you stop claiming Universal Credit.

Official sources

1.Help to Savewww.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income
2.Help to Save: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income/eligibility
3.Help to Save: what you'll getwww.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income/what-youll-get
4.Help to Save: how it will affect your benefitswww.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income/how-it-will-affect-your-benefits

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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