Adding money to the account

Anyone can pay money into a Child Trust Fund account.

The Child Trust Fund scheme closed in 2011. You can apply for a Junior ISA instead.

How much you can add

You can put up to £9,000 a year into the account - the year starts on the child’s birthday and ends the day before their next birthday.

If you do not use the £9,000 limit, you cannot carry any unused amount over to the following year.

How to pay money in

For stakeholder accounts you can add money by:

  • cheque
  • standing order
  • direct debit

For savings or share accounts, check with your provider.

Government payments

Payments made by the government do not count towards the £9,000, apart from payments made by a local council to a child in care.