Help to save

BigBadMan

I am currently on ESA, & pip. Why can't i join Help to save scheme? It's not my fault i haven't been switched to universal credit yet. Apparently when you get switched it can be a nightmare and some people actually lose money, so i am not going to volunteer to switch. 
So why aren't people on ESA allowed to join the scheme now while they wait to be switched. It's totally unfair 

tacpot12

It's not totally unfair, but it is perhaps just a little bit unfair. To be eligible for the scheme, you have be working, and earning enough to be able to save. You are probably only able to save because you also receive PIP.

I believe that the rules are the way they are because Parliament did not expect anyone who was only claiming ESA or UC, and not working, to be able to afford to save. Or perhaps it was designed as a further way to reward working? Either way, if you want it changed, you need to write to you MP. 

silver37

BigBadMan said:

I am currently on ESA, & pip. Why can't i join Help to save scheme? It's not my fault i haven't been switched to universal credit yet. Apparently when you get switched it can be a nightmare and some people actually lose money, so i am not going to volunteer to switch. 
So why aren't people on ESA allowed to join the scheme now while they wait to be switched. It's totally unfair 

My daughter is in the same situation. She is 35 and autistic with added learning difficulties. She receives ESA and the highest amount of PIP. She has not been transferred to Universal Credit but as I undertood it, ESA is classed as a legacy benefit (i.e. treated the same as UC until transferred over).

I deal with all of her affairs on her behalf and am acutely aware of the current financial climate. I ensure that some of her money is saved each month so that there is enough to cover emergencies. It seems unfair that she is missing out on taking advantage of the Help to Save scheme purely because she hasn't yet been transferred to UC. She, along with many others, are amongst the lowest financial bracket in society. Surely we should be encouraging saving as opposed to living in debt or on credit?  

Has anyone managed to join the scheme who has not yet been transferred to UC from other benefits? If so, how did you go about this please?

kaMelo

From the Government website 
https://www.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income/eligibility

Eligibility

You can open a Help to Save account if you’re receiving:

• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit – and you’re entitled to Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit and you (with your partner if it’s a joint claim) had take-home pay of £658.64 or more in your last monthly assessment period

Your take-home pay is your pay after deductions (such as tax or National Insurance).

If you get payments as a couple, you and your partner can apply for your own Help to Save accounts. You need to apply separately.

You need to be working and qualify for a means tested benefit.

Anyone can elect to move the UC credit at any time of their choosing but always check with a benefit calculator first but even if you did move to UC, unless you're working you don't qualify.