Reclaim your Child Trust Fund

To reclaim your CTF, you'll need to know which bank, building society or investment provider it's with.

If you already know this, you can simply contact it directly, though if you don't, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has a handy tool where you can find out which provider your CTF is with.

The tool is free and can be used by parents, and teens if they're 16+ – here's how:

1. Go to HMRC's tool. You'll need to log in using a 'Government Gateway ID'. This is a series of 12 numbers that you use, alongside a password, to access online government services. If you don't have one, you can register in a few minutes – you'll need an email address and mobile phone to receive a security code.
   
   If you have a Government Gateway ID but have forgotten it or your password, go to the relevant 'I have forgotten my...' links and follow the steps.
   
   
2. Fill in your (or your child's) details. Including name, address, date of birth, phone number and National Insurance number.
   
   
3. You should hear from HMRC within three weeks. It should tell you which provider holds the account – if HMRC needs more information, it'll contact you by phone or post.
   
   
4. Contact the CTF provider. It can reunite you with the account.

If you're 16 or older, you can do this yourself – just bear in mind that while you can find your CTF before you turn 18, you won't be able to access the cash until then.

If you're a parent with children under 16, you can find out where the CTF is held on their behalf by following the process above.

You'll need their 'unique reference number' (check for it on any old paperwork related to CTFs) or their National Insurance number – if you don't have these details, you'll need to apply by post.

Accessing a CTF for a child who lacks the mental capacity to do so

If your child lacks the mental capacity to make financial decisions as a result of disability, injury or disease, then there'll unfortunately be some legal hoops to jump through to access a CTF set up in their name once they turn 18.

If they have capacity to make some decisions, they may be able to make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to allow you to make financial decisions on their behalf.

If they lack the mental capacity to do this, you'll need to apply to make financial decisions on their behalf via the Court of Protection, which can grant both one-off orders as well as appointing deputies to make ongoing decisions for someone lacking mental capacity.

In July 2023, Martin wrote to the then-Children's Minister about this Court of Protection process, detailing the pain, stress and cost for parents who must go through it. He asked the minister to look again at the issue and champion it within Government, saying that the solution it had come up with isn't good enough. Read more in Martin's Child Trust Fund blog, including the letter sent to the minister.