Advice on The Childrens Trust Fund given by the government

[triplets]

Hi,
Can anyome tell me about this? My niece was born in March 2003 and my brother has been told they are not entitled to it as its means tested. Its for £250.

Rubbish, it is for every child born after a certain date - certainly DS2 born May 2003 is entitled and I strongly suspect babies born March 2003, even though it was announced in the April 2003 budget.

For all babies it is £250, with poorer families getting £500 - not sure of the definition of poor. That is probably what your brother means by means tested.

The money isn't being handed out to 2005 I think.

No it's not means-tested at all. Each baby born after the qualifying date gets £250. Children of families with lower incomes get £500. Ds2 is eligible and was born in Feb 2003.

Thank you both, so how should they go about claiming if its not too late?

I think that nearer the time (2005 is when I think it starts) someone will either contact you or tell you how to claim it. At the moment there is no system in place for claiming it.

They won't be able to get the money until they are 18, so I don't think there is any rush! But I'm pretty sure it was beginning from April 2003, so your niece might miss out. You don't think he was confusing it with tax credits, which are means tested?

All children born after September 2002 would be entitled to the money, although you won't get the money until 2005.

its all children born on or after 1st sept 2002.

Yep i's definatly evey baby born after sept 2002. My ds was born in dec 2002 and he is getting it.

OK,
Thank you all, so I shall pass on your messages and they will eventually be contacted, seems strange that you don`t have to register for it.