Answers · UK 2025/26
What is the UK Help to Save account?
Help to Save is a government savings account paying 50% bonus on top of contributions for people on Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit. Save up to £50/month for 4 years (£2,400 max) and get up to £1,200 in tax-free bonuses.
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Help to Save is a UK government scheme launched in 2018 for low-income workers. Eligibility: you must be receiving Working Tax Credit OR Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, OR Universal Credit with earned income of at least £793.17 in the previous month. You can save up to £50/month for 4 years (maximum total contributions £2,400). The bonus is paid at year 2 (50% of the highest balance reached) and year 4 (50% of the increase over the year-2 balance) — up to £1,200 total tax-free. You can withdraw your savings any time (but withdrawals reduce the bonus calculation). The scheme runs until April 2025 — applications are still open for new accounts. The bonus does NOT count as income for benefits or tax. Help to Save is administered by NS&I and the application is via gov.uk. Combine with a Lifetime ISA if you also have under-40 status and any spare savings capacity.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.