Answers · UK 2025/26
What is the Help to Save bonus in 2026?
Help to Save pays a 50% government bonus on your savings. You can save up to £50 per month, giving a maximum bonus of £600 after 2 years and £1,200 after 4 years. The scheme is available to people receiving Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit.
Full answer
Help to Save is a government savings scheme that pays a 50% bonus on the money you save. You can save between £1 and £50 per month. The bonus is calculated on the highest balance you have held at the end of each 2-year period: after year 2, you receive 50% of your highest balance (up to £600); after year 4, you receive 50% of any increase in your highest balance above the year-2 high (up to another £600). The maximum total bonus is £1,200 over 4 years. The scheme is available to people claiming Universal Credit (who earned at least £1 in their last assessment period) or Working Tax Credit. Bonuses are tax-free and paid directly into your bank account, not the Help to Save account.
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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.