The Help to Save scheme for Universal Credit claimants is expanding, with changes to eligibility rules set to make around 1.5 million more households eligible from April 2028. The programme, which helps claimants build savings with government bonuses of up to £1,200, is already open to many millions of Universal Credit claimants, with more than 650,000 people across the UK signed up.
DWP figures published in September 2026 showed that more than £300 million in bonuses have been paid out since the scheme launched in 2018. The scheme was featured on the BBC's Money Box show.
How the scheme works
Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth explained: "It's a savings account for people on Universal Credit who also work, but they only have to have earned at least £1 in the month before they apply. They can save up to £50 a month, and the government adds a bonus of half of what you put in. You can save for four years, so if you pay the maximum, you could get £1,200 in Government bonuses over that time."
Savers can deposit up to £50 a month over a four-year period, with the government adding a 50 per cent bonus. If someone saves the maximum £50 each month, they would deposit £2,400 in total and receive £1,200 in bonuses.
Mr Whitworth noted that savers can withdraw funds, but "that can affect the bonus you get". He explained: "The bonus is based on the highest balance you've built up in the account, so taking money out could mean you get smaller bonuses. Those payments are made at the end of the second and fourth years, when the account will close."
Eligibility changes from April 2028
The latest government figures show that more than nine in 10 people with a Help to Save account have saved the maximum £50 each month. Mr Whitworth confirmed there is a "change" coming in who qualifies for the scheme.
He said: "From April 2028, anyone on Universal Credit will be eligible, including people who are not working. The Government expects that to make another 1.5 million households eligible."
The scheme is also switching to a multi-provider model. Currently, accounts must be set up through the Government website, but under the expanded model, banks, building societies and credit unions will be able to offer the scheme directly to eligible customers.
Current qualifying rules
Under the current rules, you can open an account if you had take-home pay of at least £1 in your last monthly assessment period (pay after deductions such as income tax or National Insurance). You must be a UK resident, or if living overseas, you can apply if you are a crown servant or the spouse or civil partner of a crown servant, or a member of the British armed forces or their spouse or civil partner.
For couple claimants, both partners can open a Help to Save account, but each must apply separately.
