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Your child is terminally ill

You can only take money out of the CTF account before your child is 18 if they are terminally ill. This means that they have a disease or illness that is going to get worse and are likely to die within six months.

Who can take the money out?

Only the registered contact can take the money out. The registered contact is the main contact point for the account.

If there isn't a registered contact, then whoever has parental responsibility for the child will need to apply to the provider to manage the account.

• Managing or changing a Child Trust Fund account

How to take the money out

Contact the CTF Helpline to let them know that:

• your child is terminally ill
• you want to take money out of the CTF account

You will need to provide evidence that your child is terminally ill.

If your child gets Disability Living Allowance (DLA) because of their illness, tell the CTF Helpline when you contact them.

If your child doesn’t get DLA, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will send you a form for your doctor to complete and return to the Child Trust Fund Office.

• Contact details for Child Trust Fund Helpline

• Disability Living Allowance

What happens next

HMRC will let you and the provider know if you can take the money out of the account.

Your child has died

The money in the account will be paid to the person who 'inherits' the child's estate (their property and possessions). This is often one of the child’s parents, but if your child was married, it could be their husband or wife.

If you weren't able to open the account before your child died, HMRC will still pay you what your child was entitled to.

If you get Child Benefit for a child who has died this can still carry on for a short time. It may also help with any extra costs you face at this time.

• Child Benefit if your child dies

What you need to do

This will be a very difficult time for you. If your child has died, please do your best to do the following:

• if the account has already been opened - tell the account provider
• if you get Child Benefit for the child who has died - tell the Child Benefit Office
• if you haven't opened an account yet - tell the Child Trust Fund Helpline

The account provider will usually need proof, for example they may ask for the death certificate.

• Child Trust Fund: A - Z of all account providers

• Report a change in circumstances online for Child Benefit Opens new window

• Contact details for Child Benefit Helpline

• Contact details for Child Trust Fund Helpline

More useful links

• Child Trust Fund problems - where to start

• Advice, support and comfort for the bereaved