Help to Save is a UK government savings scheme for people on certain low incomes. Account holders can save between £1 and £50 each month and earn a guaranteed 50% bonus from the government on the amount they save. The account runs for four years, with bonuses paid after two years and again after four years.
The scheme is administered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and is designed to help people receiving Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit build a financial cushion. Users sign in online through GOV.UK to check balances, view bonuses, read messages, and withdraw money when needed.
Understanding how to access your account, apply if eligible, and manage your savings is essential to making the most of the scheme. Below is a step-by-step look at each part of the process.
How do I access my Help to Save account?
A government savings account offering a 50% bonus on savings for people on low incomes receiving certain benefits.
People receiving Universal Credit with minimum work earnings or Working Tax Credit. Eligibility is checked on the day of application.
Access your account online via GOV.UK using your government gateway ID. You can also sign in through the HMRC app.
Up to £1,200 over four years by saving the maximum £50 every month. Bonuses are paid at years 2 and 4.
- Help to Save offers a 50% bonus on savings up to £50 per month over four years, with a maximum total bonus of £1,200.
- The scheme is available to people receiving Universal Credit (with minimum work earnings) or Working Tax Credit.
- Account management is done online via GOV.UK; there is no official dedicated mobile app, but the website works on mobile browsers.
- You can open only one Help to Save account. If it is closed, you cannot reopen a new one under current rules.
- Bonuses are paid after two years and again after four years. Withdrawals are permitted at any time but may affect the final bonus calculation.
- Account holders can check their balance, view their savings and bonus, and find out when the next bonus will be paid through the online portal.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Savings limit per month | £50 (max) |
| Bonus rate | 50% after 2 years and again after 4 years |
| Maximum total bonus | £1,200 (if you save £50 every month for 4 years) |
| Eligible benefits | Universal Credit (with work income) or Working Tax Credit |
| Account duration | 4 years (bonuses paid at 2 and 4 years; account then closes) |
| Interest | None – the bonus replaces interest |
| Withdrawals | Allowed any time, but may affect bonus calculation |
Help to Save account number
Your Help to Save account number is displayed on screen after you sign in to your account on GOV.UK. If you lose or forget the number, you can retrieve it by signing in again. HMRC can also assist if you are unable to access the account online.
Help to Save app
There is no official dedicated Help to Save mobile app. However, you can sign in to your account through the HMRC app or directly via a mobile browser at GOV.UK. The website is designed to work on mobile devices, allowing you to check your balance, view bonuses, and withdraw money on the go.
Help to Save account statement
When you sign in to your Help to Save account, you can view your current balance, see your savings and bonus history, and check when your next bonus is due. The portal also displays messages from HMRC. There is no paper statement by default; all information is available online.
How do I apply for a Help to Save account?
Help to Save account apply online
You can apply for a Help to Save account online through GOV.UK. To complete the application, you will need your National Insurance number or postcode, plus two pieces of evidence from a list that includes a passport, driving licence, tax credit details, Self Assessment information, or credit record data. You must also provide your UK bank details during the application.
GOV.UK requires your National Insurance number or postcode and two identity verification items such as a passport, driving licence, tax credit details, Self Assessment details, or credit record information. Your UK bank details are also needed to set up the account.
Can I open a new Help to Save account
Reports suggest that the Help to Save scheme may be closed to new applicants as of 2024. If you already hold an account, you can continue saving and receiving bonuses. If you closed a previous account, you generally cannot open a new one. It is advisable to check the latest GOV.UK page to confirm current availability.
Open Help to Save account Universal Credit
If you receive Universal Credit, you may be eligible for Help to Save provided your household has minimum work earnings. Sources give different thresholds: one states earnings of at least £542.88 in the last assessment period, while another says £1 or more in take-home pay in the last monthly assessment period. The exact figure may depend on the specific scheme version. You only need to meet eligibility on the day you apply; if your circumstances change later, you can generally keep the account open and continue saving. Savings held in Help to Save and the bonuses do not affect Universal Credit, provided total savings remain within UC capital limits, which one source states is up to £6,000 in personal savings.
Accounts are individual, not joint. If you are part of a couple’s Universal Credit award, separate accounts may be available to each eligible partner.
What is a Help to Save account and who oversees it?
Help to Save account UK
Help to Save is a UK government savings initiative aimed at people on low incomes who receive qualifying benefits. It was launched in 2018 by HMRC and allows savers to deposit between £1 and £50 each month. The government adds a 50% bonus on the total saved after two years, and again after four years. At the end of the four-year term, the account closes.
Savings of £1 to £50 per month are permitted. The 50% bonus is paid twice: at the end of year 2 and year 4. The maximum bonus payable over the full four years is £1,200. There is no interest earned; the bonus replaces it.
HMRC Help to Save account
HMRC administers the Help to Save scheme. It handles applications, account management, bonus payments, and customer support. All sign-in and account management is conducted through GOV.UK or the HMRC app. HMRC also publishes official scheme rules and guidance.
Reports indicate the scheme may be closed to new applications as of 2024. Existing account holders can continue saving and receiving bonuses. Always verify the latest status on the official HMRC Help to Save page.
When was Help to Save launched and what is its timeline?
- 2018 – Help to Save scheme launched by HMRC.
- 2020–2023 – Scheme extended and expanded; online sign-in functionality improved.
- 2023 (Autumn Statement) – Closure announced for new applications, reportedly taking effect from 2024. This has not been officially confirmed on all channels; check the latest GOV.UK guidance.
- Current – Existing account holders can continue saving and receiving bonuses. No new accounts can be opened if the closure is in effect.
The exact status of new applications should be verified on the official get help with savings on a low income – how to apply page.
What is certain and what remains unclear about Help to Save?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| The 50% bonus is guaranteed by the government if savings rules are followed. | Whether new applications are still accepted – reports suggest the scheme closed to new joiners in 2024. |
| You need a government gateway ID to sign in. | The exact Universal Credit earnings threshold may change with benefit rates. |
| Help to Save is managed by HMRC. | No official dedicated app; the website works on mobile browsers. |
| You can access your account 24/7 online. | Guidance on retrieving a forgotten account number is limited on some pages. |
How does Help to Save compare to other savings options?
Help to Save offers a 50% bonus, which is significantly higher than interest rates available on most standard savings accounts or cash ISAs. For someone saving the maximum £50 per month, the effective return far exceeds what a typical high-street savings account would provide over four years. However, unlike an ISA, Help to Save does not pay interest — the bonus replaces it.
A common mistake among account holders is saving more than £50 in a single month, which can reduce the effective bonus rate on the excess. Withdrawing money before a bonus date also lowers the bonus amount, since the bonus is calculated on the balance at the end of each two-year period. Setting up a regular direct debit of up to £50 per month is a straightforward way to maximise the bonus.
Because Help to Save is designed for people on low incomes, it is often compared to the Lifetime ISA or Premium Bonds. Unlike those products, Help to Save carries no market risk and the bonus is guaranteed by the government, making it a safe option for building savings quickly.
What do official sources say about Help to Save?
“The government will add a bonus of 50p for every £1 you save.”
— GOV.UK, official Help to Save guidance
“Help to Save is a savings scheme for people on low incomes who receive certain benefits.”
— MoneyHelper, official UK government-backed financial guidance service
For further details, the MoneyHelper – Help to Save explained page and the MoneySavingExpert – Help to Save guide offer comprehensive explanations. Turn2us – Help to Save news also provides a charity perspective on the scheme.
What should you remember about Help to Save?
Help to Save is a valuable government scheme that offers a guaranteed 50% bonus on savings for eligible individuals. To make the most of it, save up to £50 each month, avoid withdrawing before bonus dates, and keep your savings within Universal Credit capital limits if applicable. If you already hold an account, you can sign in to your Help to Save account at any time to check your balance and track your bonus progress.
Frequently asked questions about Help to Save
What is a Help to Save account UK?
A government savings account for low-income individuals receiving certain benefits, offering a 50% bonus on savings.
How do I find my Help to Save account number?
Your account number is displayed when you sign in to your Help to Save account on GOV.UK. If you cannot find it, contact HMRC.
Is there a Help to Save app?
No official dedicated app exists. You can access your account via a mobile browser at GOV.UK or through the HMRC app.
Can I open a Help to Save account if I am on Universal Credit?
Yes, provided your household earns at least a certain amount from work. Check the current threshold on GOV.UK.
Does Help to Save affect my Universal Credit?
Savings and bonuses in Help to Save generally do not affect Universal Credit, as long as total savings stay within UC capital limits.
How much can I save each month in Help to Save?
You can save between £1 and £50 per month. Saving the maximum each month earns the highest possible bonus.
What happens to my Help to Save account after 4 years?
The account closes after four years. You receive your final bonus at the four-year mark, and the savings plus bonus are paid out.
Can I withdraw money from Help to Save early?
Yes, withdrawals are allowed at any time. However, withdrawing before a bonus date may reduce the bonus you receive.
Can I have a Help to Save account jointly with my partner?
No, accounts are individual. If you are on a couple’s Universal Credit award, each eligible partner may open a separate account.
What do I need to sign in to my Help to Save account?
You need your government gateway ID and password. If you do not have sign-in details, you can create them when signing in for the first time.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.