Unclaimed Child Trust Funds: How to Find Yours and Claim the Money

Tax Queen

Tax Expert @ Pie

3 min read

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging young adults to check whether they have a forgotten Child Trust Fund (CTF) waiting to be claimed. Around 827,000 matured accounts remained unclaimed at 5 April 2026, with an average value of around £2,310 each. That means thousands of young adults could have savings available without realising it.

Child Trust Funds were tax-free savings accounts for eligible children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. The scheme closed to new entrants in 2011, but existing accounts remained in place until they matured. The government has now stepped up efforts to help young people find and access forgotten accounts.

If you think you could have a CTF, checking is free and can be done through HMRC's online tracing service. You may find that money is available to help with education, housing, training or other costs. You can also use our guide to Making Tax Digital self-assessment to understand your wider tax responsibilities.

The Scale of Unclaimed Child Trust Funds

HMRC's latest statistics show around 2.9 million CTF accounts remained open at 5 April 2026. Around 827,000 of these had matured but were still continuing as CTF accounts. During 2025/26, around 415,000 matured accounts were claimed or automatically transferred to an ISA.

The average value of a matured account still continuing as a CTF was around £2,310. By comparison, matured accounts claimed or transferred during 2025/26 had an average value of around £3,596. Individual balances can, of course, be higher or lower.

Almost 3 million matured CTF accounts have now been claimed or transferred to an ISA since accounts began maturing in 2020. However, hundreds of thousands remain unclaimed. HMRC is encouraging eligible young adults to check before assuming they do not have an account.

Who Is Eligible for a Child Trust Fund?

Child Trust Funds were created for eligible children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. The government made payments into qualifying accounts, with an initial government contribution of at least £250. Parents, guardians and other family members could also pay money into the account.

If a parent or guardian did not open an account, HMRC could arrange one automatically. This means some young adults may have a CTF even if their family never actively chose a provider. The money belongs to the child named on the account.

At 16, the account holder can take control of their CTF. The account matures when they turn 18, at which point they can withdraw the money or transfer it to an adult ISA. The CTF itself then closes.

Why So Many Child Trust Funds Remain Unclaimed

Many young adults simply do not know that a CTF exists in their name. This can happen where HMRC opened an account automatically or where paperwork and contact details have been lost over the years. Changes of address or personal details can also make an old account harder to trace.

The government has increased efforts to reconnect people with their savings. HMRC has been contacting eligible 21-year-olds, while a Child Trust Fund Taskforce has been established to improve tracing and awareness. These measures are intended to make it easier for account holders to find money that already belongs to them.

The latest figures show that the problem remains significant despite previous campaigns. Around 827,000 matured accounts were still continuing as CTFs at 5 April 2026. For eligible young adults, checking whether an account exists is therefore worth considering.

Government Action on Unclaimed Child Trust Funds

In April 2026, the government announced that HMRC would write to 21-year-olds whose CTFs remained unclaimed. The aim is to reach young people using more up-to-date contact information. This is part of a wider effort to increase awareness rather than an automatic payment scheme.

In June 2026, the government also launched a Child Trust Fund Taskforce bringing together government and CTF providers. Its purpose is to improve tracing and encourage more young people to access their accounts. The government said more than 750,000 young people had unclaimed matured accounts at the time.

The latest HMRC statistics now show around 827,000 matured CTF accounts still continuing at 5 April 2026. The updated figure reflects the latest reporting period. There is currently no confirmed government scheme to automatically pay these funds into bank accounts at age 21.

How to Find and Claim a Child Trust Fund

Finding a CTF is free through HMRC. You will need a National Insurance number and other personal details to use the online tracing service. HMRC will tell you which provider holds the account, rather than the amount of money in it.

HMRC says online requests are usually answered within 3 weeks. If you already know the provider, you can contact it directly instead of using the tracing service. The account holder can access a matured CTF once they reach 18.

You do not need to pay a company to find your CTF. HMRC provides a free tracing service, while other free services are also available. Once you are managing your wider finances, Get started with Pie Tax for free or download the app to see how it works for yourself.

What Happens to a Child Trust Fund at 18?

A CTF matures when the account holder turns 18. The young person automatically takes control of the account and can withdraw the money or transfer it to an adult ISA. No further money can be added once the account has matured.

The money does not disappear if the account holder does not immediately claim it. It remains in the account until the young person withdraws or transfers it. The savings continue to belong to the account holder.

A CTF is separate from Child Benefit, although the original scheme was linked to eligibility for Child Benefit. Finding an old CTF does not create a new Child Benefit claim. It simply means locating savings that were set aside for you during childhood.

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How Unclaimed CTF Money Could Help Young Adults

For many young adults, a CTF balance could provide useful financial support at the start of adult life. The average matured account still continuing as a CTF was worth around £2,310 at 5 April 2026. Individual accounts may be worth considerably more or less.

The money could potentially help with education, accommodation, transport or other everyday costs. Almost 3 million matured accounts have already been claimed or transferred to an ISA since 2020. Thousands more young adults still need to locate their accounts.

The CTF itself is tax-free, so there is no tax to pay on the income or profits generated within the account. It also does not affect benefits or tax credits. Once the money is withdrawn, however, what you do with it may have separate tax or financial implications.

Final Summary

HMRC urges young adults to check forgotten Child Trust Funds

Around 827,000 matured Child Trust Fund accounts remained unclaimed at 5 April 2026. These accounts were worth around £2,310 on average, although individual balances vary. HMRC is continuing its efforts to help young people find and access their savings.

CTFs were created for eligible children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, with the scheme closing to new entrants in 2011. The accounts mature when the holder reaches 18, when they can withdraw the money or transfer it to an adult ISA. The savings belong to the young person named on the account.

If you think you may have a CTF, you can use the free Child Trust Fund tool to find the provider. You do not need to pay a third party to trace the account. Checking now could uncover savings you did not realise you had.

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