The first step to opening a Child Trust Fund (CTF) account is to make a claim for Child Benefit. Once you start receiving Child Benefit for your child, an information pack and then a voucher will be automatically issued. This should happen quite quickly and if you don’t get a voucher within a month you should call the CTF Helpline (see contact us button at the top of the page).
Child Benefit is for people who are bringing up children and is usually paid for the period from the Monday following the child's date of birth. It is paid for each child and is not affected by income or savings.
Claiming Child Benefit
You can claim Child Benefit if you’re bringing up a child or children:
- under the age of 16, or
- aged under 19 and studying full-time up to A level, Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) or equivalent, or
- aged 16 or 17 who have recently left school, and registered for work or training with the Careers Service or Connexions Service (in Northern Ireland, Training and Employment Agency).
You do not have to be the child's parent to get Child Benefit. You may get Child Benefit if you pay towards bringing up a child who does not live with you and no one else is claiming it for them.
There are some restrictions on Child Benefit claims by people who have recently come to the UK from abroad, even if they are UK Nationals.
More about Child Benefit rules on the Department for Work and Pensions website
What will I get?
More about Child Benefit on the HM Revenue & Customs website
More information
Looked after children (children in care)
FAQ
Further information about Child Benefit
