HMRC 'revises' rule with UK households in line for big £1,200 windfall HMRC has announced the extension of the Help to Save scheme that could benefit half a million more people across the country. HMRC 'revises' rule with UK households in line for big £1,200 windfall Universal Credit claimants are in line for a £1,200 savings windfall thanks to a HMRC rule tweak. HMRC has announced the extension of the Help to Save scheme that could benefit half a million more people across the country. Under new rules, Universal Credit claimants earning just £1 from work can now open an account and potentially receive bonuses of up to £1,200. ‌ The Help to Save scheme is designed to support working families with limited financial flexibility by offering a powerful incentive to build up their savings. The initiative provides a generous 50% bonus on the amount saved, effectively giving participants £0.50 for every £1 they put away. READ MORE UK set for NEW hottest day of year with exact date next week announced This means that over time, savers can significantly boost their funds with minimal initial contributions—making it an especially attractive option for households trying to manage on tight budgets. Article continues below According to the latest data released by HMEC, thousands of individuals have already taken advantage of the scheme and received financial benefits through it. With recent changes to the eligibility criteria, many more people are now able to participate, opening the door for broader access to this government-backed savings boost. Previously, in order to qualify, Universal Credit claimants had to earn a minimum of £722.45 during their most recent monthly assessment period—a threshold that excluded many part-time or low-income workers. However, under the new rules, anyone receiving Universal Credit who earns just £1 from employment is now eligible to open a Help to Save account. This dramatic reduction in the earnings requirement is expected to make the scheme accessible to a much larger number of working individuals and families. ‌ By lowering the entry barrier, the government aims to make it easier for people in low-income jobs to start saving—even if only in small amounts—while still offering them a significant return for doing so. The revised policy not only helps to promote better financial resilience among vulnerable groups but also encourages long-term saving habits that could provide security during periods of unexpected expense or hardship. Labour Party Economic Secretary Emma Reynolds said: "Security for working people is at the heart of our Plan for Change. We want more people to have a bit in the kitty for a rainy day, which is why we are giving hundreds of thousands more working families on tight budgets access to this support." Article continues below Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, added: "Thousands of customers have already benefited from Help to Save and many more are now eligible to get a great return of 50 per cent on top of their savings, no matter how little you can save each month." She encouraged people to "Go online or via the HMRC app to find out more and apply today."