There's an extra cash Isa allowance you won't have heard of - but it could save you thousands in a real time of need: SYLVIA MORRIS

See more This is Money on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Updated: 19:02 EDT, 15 September 2026 There’s an added benefit to putting your cash into an Isa that few savers know about.Most are aware you can save up to £20,000 in Isas every tax year – where it is completely sheltered from HMRC.But there’s an extra allowance that lets some savers exceed this. Called the Additional Permitted Subscription (APS), it’s given to grieving spouses to cover the sum a spouse or civil partner held in Isa wrappers.Say your partner had £50,000 in Isas, you can put this into an Isa in your name over and above your own £20,000-a-year limit. You need to fill out forms, but it is worth it.First ask each of the original providers for a certificate that shows how much your extra allowance is. You can then use the APS to open a new cash Isa in your name either with the original provider or pick another – so long as they accept these subscriptions. Not all do, and the information is often hard to find on their websites. Tax shelter: The Additional Permitted Subscription is given to grieving spouses to cover the sum a spouse or civil partner held in Isa wrappersDisappointingly, the rates for APS accounts can be awful – often half of the 4 per cent-plus you can get on an easy-access Isa account, or less.It can feel easiest – especially after bereavement – to stick with the original provider. But this may be a costly mistake if the Isa is with one of the big banks or building societies. Some have dedicated Isas designed to take this extra allowance – but often with lousy rates. Others say you can only use their easy-access accounts.Of the five largest building societies, Nationwide says you can only use its one-year Triple Access Isa, paying 3.3 per cent and limits you to three withdrawals a year. After a year you end up with its instant access cash Isa rate – currently just 1.1 per cent.Skipton has its Legacy Isa and Coventry its Additional Allowance Isa, both at 2.05 per cent. Leeds does not accept APSs at all. But Yorkshire is worth a look. It lets you pick from its easy-access and fixed-rate Isas – which include an Easy Access Isa at 3.6 per cent and a one-year-fixed at 4.4 per cent.Banks such as Lloyds, Halifax, Santander, HSBC, NatWest and Barclays all accept APSs into their easy-access accounts but pay lousy rates. The worst is 0.75 per cent with Lloyds Cash Isa Saver and the best is 3 per cent from HSBC’s Loyalty Cash Isa, but you need an HSBC current account.Barclays and NatWest merit a look if you prefer a fixed-rate Isa.The best eligible deals on easy-access Isas elsewhere are app-based Trading 212 at 4.61 per cent (for the first year), and Virgin Money Double Take E Isa at 4.15 per cent (two withdrawals a year). National Savings & Investments Direct Isa pays 3.8 per cent.Once opened, it becomes an ordinary cash Isa and you can transfer it between providers in the usual way.SAVE MONEY, MAKE MONEYUp to £250 cashbackUp to £250 cashback2.5% cashback when investing at least £2004.61% cash Isa4.61% cash IsaTrading 212: 1.01% fixed 12-month bonus£3,000 cashback£3,000 cashback£100-£3,000 cashback when opening SippUp to £150 cashbackUp to £150 cashbackOpen a savings account with at least £5,000Welcome bonusWelcome bonusGet up to £200 when you invest £100Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Terms and conditions apply on all offers.