The government's Help to Save scheme, which aims to support low-income earners, has paid out over £220 million in bonus payments since its launch.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is actively encouraging those who are eligible to sign up for the initiative, which offers a 50% bonus on savings, during UK Savings Week (running from Monday, 22 September to Friday, 26 September).

Help to Save is a government savings scheme offering low-income earners a 50% bonus on their savings. Customers can deposit between £1 and £50 each month and earn an extra 50 pence for every £1 they save.

It takes just a few minutes to check eligibility and open an account online on GOV.UK or via the HMRC app.

Savers who deposit the maximum of £2,400 over the four years of the duration of the scheme will get a £1,200 bonus, with it being paid straight into their bank accounts at the end of the second and fourth year.

Latest figures show that since the scheme started in September 2018 to April 2025, 575,200 customers opened a Help to Save account and have paid a total of £588.2 million into their savings pots.

Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby, said: "The Government's Help to Save scheme has boosted the savings of over half a million people across the country to the tune of £220 million. We're committed to helping families build financial resilience and putting more money in the pockets of working people."

Of those who have opened an account, 94% deposited the maximum amount into their nest egg each month. The scheme, originally due to close in September 2023, has been extended and people have until April 2027 to open an account and start paying in. It has meant that to April 2025, more than 95,000 low-income earners have been able to open Help to Save accounts, who would have otherwise missed out.

A total of 7,800 accounts were opened in April 2025 (the highest monthly amount since March 2023) when the scheme was expanded to include all working Universal Credit claimants.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer said: "Millions have been paid out to people who are putting aside whatever cash they can spare each month - so don't miss out on making the most of your savings. Go to GOV.UK to open your Help to Save account today."

A fifth of customers have opened a Help to Save account via the HMRC app. People can use the app to keep track of their deposits and view their bonus payments.

Money can be paid into Help to Save accounts via debit card, standing order or bank transfer. The quickest and easiest way to keep track of deposits and view bonus payments is via the HMRC app.

Antonia Stokes, Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) Senior Manager, said: "The Help to Save scheme is a very attractive product for people on low incomes who want to get into a regular savings habit.

"Everyone who is eligible to take part in the initiative has the chance to earn a bonus on top of the money that they put in, and these bonuses can be increased by paying in the maximum amount allowed each month and making no withdrawals.

"Those who are eligible can still receive bonus payments, even if they can't save the maximum, which makes it an attractive option for savers."

Money can be withdrawn at any time, although this may affect the 50% bonus payments.