Money monday
According to HMRC figures, around 1.8million child trust fund accounts have been ‘forgotten’.
Around 200,000 of these are now mature, ie ready to access, but unclaimed.
The government initially put £250 into a tax-free account when the child was born, then added another £250 when he or she reached the age of seven.
For lower-income families, the payment was £500.
Under the scheme, parents and guardians with kids born between 2002 and 2011 received a voucher to deposit into a CTF account on behalf of their child.
Where parents failed to deposit vouchers, HMRC will have done so for them.
Child trust funds can be found using the Government Gateway service, which requires a login or registration. The child trust fund unique reference number, or national insurance number is also needed.
You will need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you fill in the online form.
The Share Foundation charity runs a free finding service.
More information on child trust funds is available on through the government-backed Money and Pensions Service.
Further Information / Sources
