You could have money waiting for you: check your Child Trust Fund

If you were born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, you could have money in a Child Trust Fund (CTF) that you can now access — even if you do not remember one being set up.

Child Trust Funds are tax-free saving accounts, which were set up for children born during this period whose parents or guardians received child benefit. If you were in care or being looking after by a local authority, you may also have one. An initial deposit was paid into each account, and in some cases family members added extra savings over time. Once you turn 18, the money becomes yours to claim.

However, hundreds of thousands of Child Trust Fund accounts remain unclaimed. On average, people who access their fund receive around £2,200 — money that could help you with rent, travel, living costs, or future savings.

You might not realise you have a Child Trust Fund if your family changed address, switched banks, or lost paperwork over the years. You might also assume the money has already been claimed, when it has not.

You do not need to pay anyone to help you access your Child Trust Fund. You can find out which provider holds your account for free using the official government service.

Check if you have a Child Trust Fund and how to claim it here.

It only takes a few minutes to check — and you could find money that is rightfully yours!