Updates · July 4, 2026

Born before 2025? What your child still gets — including the $250 Dell deposit

The question every parent of an older kid asks: "So my child gets nothing?" Not quite. Here's the honest breakdown — what pre-2025 kids don't get, what they absolutely still get, and a private $250 that 25 million of them already got.

The straight answer first

No $1,000 from the government. The federal seed deposit is strictly for children born January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028. There is no government catch-up program for older kids — anyone telling you otherwise is misinformed or running a scam.
The account itself? Opened for you. Since about October 1, 2026, the U.S. Treasury opens a Trump Account automatically for every eligible child under 18 with a Social Security number — no form needed. A parent or guardian claims it in the official Trump Accounts app (or at trumpaccounts.gov); until then, only the $1,000 and gifts like the Dells' $250 can go in. Once claimed: same U.S. stock-index investing, same $5,000/year contribution room (including up to $2,500 from an employer). It just starts at $0 instead of $1,000.
Employer money is open to your child too. This is the part most parents miss: the employer contribution — up to $2,500/year — is not limited to children who qualified for the $1,000 seed. Treasury says over 50 companies have committed to contributing. If you or your spouse work somewhere that offers it, a pre-2025 child can receive it once you claim the account. Ask your HR department.
25 million kids born 2016–2024 got a one-time $250 — from private philanthropy, not the government. Details below.

The $250: the Dells' gift, explained honestly

On December 2, 2025, Michael and Susan Dell pledged $6.25 billion to put $250 into the Trump Accounts of 25 million children (White House announcement). Invest America, the group running the gift, has now published the final rule on its own page:

Born January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2024. Those are the birth dates the gift covers.
Your ZIP code, not your paycheck. The child's ZIP code needed a median family income of $117,300 or less (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 American Community Survey). That is Invest America's final line as of October 9, 2026. It is the ZIP code's number, not your family's own income. Children living on military bases were also included.
Already deposited. In Invest America's words: "All deposits were made as of Friday, October 9." There was no application. Enter your ZIP code on Invest America's page to see whether your area was included, then look in your child's account.
Foster care: Invest America says money is set aside for children in foster care, with details still being worked out and those deposits expected next year.
Opened an account or filed Form 4547 before October 1? Invest America says your child stays eligible under the rules that applied at that time.

Why the income line moved: the pledge was written when families had to sign up. Once the Treasury began opening accounts automatically, far more children were eligible, so the money went to the lowest-income ZIP codes first and moved up until 25 million children were funded. If your ZIP code was not included, your child very likely still has a Trump Account and may still get other money, like family or employer contributions.

Keep the labels straight: the $1,000 (born 2025–2028) is a federal deposit created by law. The $250 (born 2016–2024, lower-income ZIP codes) is a charitable gift — generous, real, but capped at 25 million children, and not something the government owes your child. This site tells you which is which because plenty of social-media posts don't.

Is it worth using an account with no $1,000?

Run your own numbers on our calculator, but the shape of it: a possible $250 head start plus, say, $100/month at a 7% average return still compounds into serious money by 18 — and the employer-contribution feature (up to $2,500/year of the cap) is available at any age. For education-specific savings, compare with a 529 first: our honest comparison.

Scam alert — this topic is a magnet for them. Nobody legitimate will call, text, or email asking for your child's Social Security number or a "processing fee" to unlock the $1,000 or the $250. There is no fee. Ever. Start only from irs.gov or trumpaccounts.gov, typed in yourself.

Have a 2025–2028 baby in the family too? Check their $1,000 eligibility in 60 seconds → · Print the claim checklist →

More free guides for families Florida families: the Tax Credit Scholarship (~$8,000/child) · Your EMA account, explained · Basketball as homeschool PE (paid by scholarship)

TrumpHealthcare.us is an independent educational resource, not affiliated with the U.S. government, the IRS, Michael and Susan Dell, or Invest America. Not legal, tax, or investment advice. Program details evolve — verify at irs.gov/trumpaccounts and investamerica.org. Last reviewed: October 19, 2026.