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HMRC Urges 7.5 Million Universal Credit Claimants to Open Help to Save Accounts Worth Up to £1,200

The government-backed account pays a 50p bonus for every £1 saved with payouts after years two and four to strengthen short‑term financial resilience.

Overview

  • HMRC used a post on X to remind eligible Universal Credit recipients that they can apply for Help to Save and receive government bonus payments.
  • Eligibility extends to people on Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit, with savings protected under the government-backed scheme.
  • Account holders can save between £1 and £50 per calendar month without needing to deposit every month, and bonuses are paid into their regular bank accounts.
  • Saving the monthly maximum over four years can yield up to £1,200 in bonuses, with the final payout based on any increase in the highest balance between the two two‑year periods.
  • Since 2018 nearly half a million accounts have been opened with about £372.5 million deposited, and both HMRC and MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis are urging wider take-up.