Get help with savings if you’re on a low income (Help to Save)

Over 4 years, regular savers can deposit up to £50 a month and could receive up to £1,200 in tax-free bonuses.

To find out more, visit Help to Save. If you have already opened a Help to Save account, you can sign in.

Who Help to Save is for

The scheme, administered by HM Revenue and Customs, is open to UK residents who are:

  • entitled to Working Tax Credit and receiving Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit payments
  • claiming Universal Credit and have a household or individual income of at least £542.88 for their last monthly assessment period (though note that payments from Universal Credit are not considered to be part of your household income). Figure correct in 2018.
  • People living overseas who meet either of these eligibility conditions can apply for an account if they are:
  • a Crown servant - or their spouse or civil partner
  • a member of the British armed forces - or their spouse or civil partner

Help to Save started with a trial in January 2018, rolling out in stages and opening to all those eligible in September 2018.

How it works

Once confirmed as eligible, customers can start saving straight away. All transactions, including checking the balance and paying in savings, can be managed in an online account available through GOV.UK.

Customers can save up to £50 each month.

At the end of 2 years, savers will get a 50% bonus based on the highest balance achieved.

Customers can carry on saving for another 2 years and get another 50% bonus on their additional savings.

Over 4 years, those saving the maximum of £2,400 will receive bonuses of £1,200.

Money paid into the account can be withdrawn by customers at any time, but this could affect the size of the bonus payment.

Accounts will be available to open for 5 years (until September 2023).

Find out more, apply, or sign in to your Help to Save account

To find out more or apply, visit Help to Save or phone 0300 322 7093. Lines are open from Monday to Friday between 10am and 6pm.

If you have already opened a Help to Save account, you can sign in.

You can also access your Help to Save account through your personal tax account or the HMRC app.