About the Help to Save Calculator
This Help to Save calculator works out the government bonuses you can earn in a Help to Save account — the UK scheme for working people on Universal Credit that adds 50p for every £1 you save. Enter how much you plan to pay in each month in the first two years and in years three and four, and any money you expect to take out after the first bonus, and the calculator shows your first bonus, your final bonus, the total bonus and what you end up with.
The bonuses are not paid on everything you deposit: they are 50% of your highest balance. The first bonus, at the end of year 2, is half the highest balance you reached in years 1 and 2. The final bonus, at the end of year 4, is half of how much your highest balance in years 3 and 4 exceeds the highest balance from years 1 and 2. That is why withdrawals can cost you bonus money, and why this calculator lets you test them. Saving the maximum £50 every month (£2,400 in total) earns the maximum £1,200 bonus.
You can open an account if you receive Universal Credit and you (with your partner, on a joint claim) had take-home pay of £1 or more in your last monthly assessment period. Accounts last four years, pay no interest, and bonuses are paid into your bank account rather than the Help to Save account. These are the GOV.UK rules for the 2026/27 tax year; check GOV.UK for any changes before applying.
With the default inputs, the total government bonus is £1,200.00. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the help to save calculator
- 1Enter how much you will save each month in the first two years (up to £50).
- 2Enter your monthly saving for years three and four.
- 3Add any amount you plan to withdraw after the first bonus.
- 4Read your first, final and total bonus.
- 5Try keeping withdrawals at zero to see the maximum bonus you can earn.
Formula and method
H₁ is the highest balance reached in years 1 and 2. With no withdrawals it is simply 24 months of deposits, so £50 a month gives £1,200 and a £600 first bonus. H₂ is the highest balance in years 3 and 4; the final bonus is half of any amount by which it exceeds H₁. Saving another £1,200 without withdrawing takes the balance to £2,400 and earns a second £600.
Withdrawals reduce the balance you are building from, so money taken out in years 3 and 4 has to be replaced before it counts towards the final bonus. The calculator assumes deposits are made every month and any withdrawal happens at the start of year 3; the account pays no interest.
- H₁
- Highest balance in years 1–2
- H₂
- Highest balance in years 3–4
Worked examples
Saving the maximum £50 a month
After two years the highest balance is £1,200, so the first bonus is £600. Saving another £1,200 lifts the highest balance to £2,400 — £1,200 above the first peak — for a £600 final bonus. You pay in £2,400 and get £3,600 back.
£25 a month throughout
A £600 peak earns a £300 first bonus, and growing the balance to £1,200 earns another £300 — still a 50% return.
Withdrawing £600 after year 2
Taking out £600 drops the balance to £600. Another £1,200 of saving brings it to only £1,800, just £600 above the £1,200 first peak, so the final bonus halves to £300.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I save in Help to Save?+
You can pay in between £1 and £50 each calendar month, up to £2,400 over the four-year life of the account. You do not have to pay in every month, but unused allowance does not carry over.
How is the Help to Save bonus calculated?+
The first bonus is 50% of the highest balance you reach in the first two years. The final bonus is 50% of the difference between that figure and the highest balance in years three and four. The most you can earn is £1,200 in total.
Who is eligible for Help to Save?+
You can open an account if you receive Universal Credit and you (or you and your partner, on a joint claim) had take-home pay of £1 or more in your last monthly assessment period. You must normally live in the UK.
Can I withdraw money from Help to Save?+
Yes, you can withdraw at any time, but it can reduce your bonuses because they are based on your highest balance. Money taken out has to be paid back in before your balance can grow past its previous peak.
Does Help to Save pay interest?+
No. The account pays no interest; the return comes from the two government bonuses, which are paid into your bank account rather than the Help to Save account.
What happens if I close my Help to Save account early?+
You can close it at any time and keep your savings, but you miss the next bonus that would have been paid, and you cannot open another Help to Save account afterwards.
What happens if I stop claiming Universal Credit?+
You can keep your account and carry on saving and earning bonuses for the full four years even if you stop claiming benefits.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.