# Am I eligible for Help to Save?

> Eligibility · Last reviewed 26 May 2026

Canonical HTML: https://moneyguide.org.uk/eligible-for/help-to-save/
Markdown mirror: https://moneyguide.org.uk/eligible-for/help-to-save.md

## In short

If you're getting Universal Credit (and have take-home pay of £1+ in your last assessment period) or Working Tax Credit, you can open a Help to Save account. Save up to £50 a month for 4 years and get a 50% bonus — up to £1,200 free.

Help to Save is a 4-year government-backed savings scheme. Bonuses are paid at year 2 and year 4 based on the highest balance reached, not your closing balance.

Typical amount: 50% bonus on highest balance, paid at end of year 2 and year 4. Maximum total bonus £1,200 over 4 years

## Who usually qualifies

- You're getting Universal Credit and earned £1+ in your last assessment period from work
- Or you're getting Working Tax Credit (or are entitled to it under the Child Tax Credit award)
- You live in the UK (or are a Crown servant / spouse posted overseas)

## Who usually does not

- You're not on UC or WTC
- You're a UC claimant with zero earnings in the last assessment period
- You stop being eligible after opening — you can still keep saving and getting bonuses

## How to check

- Help to Save accounts are opened via the gov.uk Help to Save service or the HMRC app
- Eligibility details and current rules are at gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income
- Accounts opened while eligible remain valid for the full 4 years, even if UC/WTC entitlement stops later

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Help to Save affect my benefits?

The bonus and your savings don't reduce Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit. Savings above £6,000 can reduce UC; Help to Save savings count towards that threshold but the bonus does not.

### Can I withdraw before the bonus?

Yes, but bonuses are based on the highest balance you achieved, so withdrawing won't directly reduce the bonus — but you'd need to save back up to maintain the highest balance.

### What happens after 4 years?

The account closes after 4 years. You can't reopen it, but you keep all the money saved plus bonuses.

## Sources

- [GOV.UK — Help to Save](https://www.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income)
- [HMRC — Help to Save guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/help-to-save-information-leaflet)

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Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.