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If your child is under 18 and has a Social Security number, they were likely enrolled in a Trump Account when the program launched on July 4.

The Treasury Department confirmed that more than 60 million American children were added automatically. You did not have to do anything for that to happen.

But enrollment is not the same as funding. IRS Commissioner Frank Bisignano said this week that as many as 25 million accounts could receive funds by mid-October, according to CNBC.

Whether your child’s account is in that group depends on a few things worth knowing before you assume anything has arrived.

There are multiple funding sources tied to this program, and they do not all apply to every child. Your child’s birth year matters. So does whether you have actually claimed the account yet. If you have not opened the Trump Accounts app, your child’s account has almost certainly not received any money.

Also read: IRS sends notices about new Saver’s Match worth up to $2,000

What a Trump Account actually is

Trump Accounts, also called 530A accounts, are tax-deferred investment accounts for children.

They are not savings accounts. The money is invested, which means it can grow over time but can also lose value. Returns are not guaranteed.

The idea behind the accounts is to give children a long head start. Money that goes in early has years, sometimes decades, to grow before your child is old enough to use it. That time is the whole point. A contribution made when a child is two years old sits in the market a lot longer than one made when they are 15, and that difference adds up.

There’s one thing a lot of parents are still confused about: Automatic enrollment created the account. It did not put money into it. Those are two separate things.

Your child has an account sitting there. Whether it has any money in it right now is a different question entirely, and the answer depends on steps that still need to happen on your end.

The idea behind the accounts is to give children a long head start.Jana Murr / Getty Images

What your child may qualify for

Bisignano did not specify which types of deposits make up the 25 million accounts he expects to be funded by mid-October.

Trump Accounts can receive money from the federal $1,000 seed grant, the $250 Dell contribution for older children, employer pledges, and state philanthropic funds. His figure likely includes some mix of all of these.

Children born between 2025 and 2028 qualify for the Treasury’s $1,000 one-time contribution. Children born between 2016 and 2024 do not qualify for that grant, but Michael and Susan Dell have committed $6.25 billion to put $250 into accounts for that group.

If your child was born before 2025, the Dell contribution is what applies to them at the federal level, not the $1,000 grant. Some children may qualify for money from more than one source, depending on their birth year and where their parents work.

About 72 companies have also pledged to match contributions for employees’ children, Bisignano said. Philanthropists in several states have committed additional funds on top of what the federal program offers.

The terms vary, so check what your specific employer has actually promised before you count on that money being there.

How to claim your child’s Trump Account

Download the Trump Accounts app. That is the step that unlocks everything.

Enrollment created the account, but it did not trigger any deposit. If you have not claimed the account through the app, none of the money Bisignano described has moved for your child yet. That is just how the program works.

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Once you are in the app, confirm your child’s eligibility and submit the required identifying information. The app will show you which contributions your child qualifies for based on their birth year.

If you have more than one child, you have to go through this for each of them separately. Siblings born in different years may qualify for completely different amounts, so you cannot do one and assume the others are covered.

Only use official government channels. Any unsolicited message asking for your Social Security number or banking details to help you claim a Trump Account benefit is a scam. Go directly to the app. Nobody from a legitimate part of this program will reach out to you first.

What to know before you add your own money to a Trump Account

You are not required to contribute anything beyond what the program deposits. The seed grants and any employer matches do not require you to put in your own money first. But if you are thinking about adding to the account on top of what arrives, there are a few things to understand before you do that.

Look at the investment options and fees before you put anything in. Fees take a percentage of your balance every year, and that compounds against you over time, just as returns compound for you. An account you plan to hold for 15 or 20 years will feel that drag in a meaningful way. Knowing what you are paying is a basic thing that is easy to skip over when the program feels new.

Read the withdrawal rules. The money in a Trump Account is not freely accessible. There are rules about when it can come out and what it can be used for. Those details matter as much as how much goes in. Putting money somewhere without understanding how you get it back is a decision worth slowing down for.

The midterm elections are approaching, and expanding Trump Account access has been a stated administration priority.

Bisignano’s mid-October deadline is the most specific funding window the administration has announced. If your child has been enrolled since July and you have not yet opened the app, now is the time to do it.

Related: IRS adds another Wall Street name to Trump Accounts

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this deal

Some of our all-time favorite purchases are those tiny yet mighty products that solve a bevy of problems. And when it comes to wireless Bluetooth speakers, the smaller and more durable the better. That’s why we’re so into the Dbsono ​​Portable Bluetooth Speaker, which is 40% off ahead of Prime Big Deal Days (also known as October Prime Day). Originally $25, you can now get it for just $15, and it has everything you could want in a ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker.

We can easily see why this Bluetooth speaker has been so popular, with over 4,000 speakers sold in just the last month. For starters, it’s super small, lightweight, and portable, measuring only 4.53 inches long by 1.97 inches wide by 3.43 inches high and weighing 0.69 pounds. It’s easy to bring on the go, whether you clip it on your backpack during a hike or bike ride, use it around the house while you clean, or outdoors during a camping trip. One shopper called it a “powerful little speaker,” with others commenting on its crisp sound quality. It’d also, we should note, make an incredible early holiday gift or stocking stuffer.

Dbsono ​​Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $15 (was $25) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Walmart

Why do shoppers love it?

This impressive speaker has a long battery life, lasting up to 24 hours on one charge. It also has LED lights for a colorful light show while you listen to music. You can even pair it with another speaker, creating a 360-degree surround sound experience. Plus, it has an IPX5 water resistance rating, so it can handle a splash of water or light rain. And since it’s drop-proof and sandproof, it’s great for outdoor adventures. 

Details to know

Dimensions: 4.53 inches long by 1.97 inches wide by 3.43 inches high.

Battery life: Up to 24 hours. 

Features: IPX5 water resistance rating, LED lights, and built-in lanyard.

Amazon shoppers adore this little speaker, saying it’s a great gift and stocking stuffer for the holidays. Others highlight its long battery life and loud volume. 

Shop more deals

Miatone Qbox Bluetooth Speaker, $20 (was $40) at Amazon

Kunodi Bluetooth Speaker, $13 (was $19) at Amazon

Marshall Emberton II Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $90 (was $180) at Amazon

The Dbsono ​​Portable Bluetooth Speaker is on sale for only $15, and it makes a great handy purchase for outdoorsy people or those always on-the-go, in addition to making a great holiday gift. Just be sure to shop quickly, since Prime Big Deal Days wrap up on Wednesday night.

Just when shoppers thought that the months-long frozen berry recall was winding down, there’s another update.

And this time, more products sold by some of the country’s most widely accessible retailers are involved.

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. has expanded its recall of frozen organic berries due to potential E. coli contamination, adding more products sold at Walmart and, for the first time, at Trader Joe’s.

The latest announcement comes less than two weeks after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak over.

The Chilean supplier is the same company behind the recall that began with frozen blueberries sold at Publix in July and later expanded to Walmart, TheStreet reported.

Now, additional lots of Walmart’s Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend and Organic Blueberries, along with Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend, have been added to the recall.

For shoppers, the timing is important to note.

Some of the affected frozen fruit carries dates stretching into June 2028, meaning recalled bags could remain tucked away in household freezers long after the outbreak itself ended.

Walmart, Trader Joe’s frozen berries added to recall

The latest expansion covers Great Value products shipped to select Walmart stores across 30 states and Puerto Rico, according to a company announcement posted by the Food and Drug Administration on Oct. 2.

The states include New York, New Jersey, Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina, among others.

The Trader Joe’s product was shipped to select stores in 26 states and Washington, D.C.

See the complete list here to find if your state is affected.

The recalled products include:

Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, 10 oz (includes strawberries, blueberries and blackberries)UPC: 7874211226Lot codes: 6 031 01 and 6 041 01Best if used by: Jan. 31, 2028, and Feb. 10, 2028

Great Value Organic Blueberries, 10 oz.UPC: 7874211213Lot codes: 6 019 01, 6 040 01 and 6 163 01Best if used by: Jan. 19, 2028; Feb. 9, 2028; and June 12, 2028

Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend, 12 oz.UPC: 00977654Lot code: 6 051 01Best before: Feb. 20, 2028

Consumers who have the affected products should not eat them and should instead discard them or return them to Walmart or Trader Joe’s for a full refund.

Here’s some of my coverage of major food recalls:

Kroger: More than 19 million eggs sold under Kroger and other brands were recalled over contamination risk.

Walmart and Harris Teeter: Outshine fruit bars sold nationwide were recalled after consumers reported finding glass in the products.

Walmart bakery: More than 735,000 Pillsbury bread rolls supplied to Walmart bakeries were recalled over possible glass contamination.

No other frozen berry products from Walmart or Trader Joe’s are included in the latest recall.

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur said the expansion is a precautionary measure following traceback information linked to the frozen blueberries that were part of its original July recall.

Frozen berry recall started at Publix

The latest announcement marks another expansion of a recall that has been unfolding for months.

On July 3, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur first recalled a lot of GreenWise Organic Frozen Blueberries sold at Publix after the product was linked to a multistate E. coli outbreak.

I reported at the time that the recall involved 10-ounce bags with a best-by date of Feb. 9, 2028.

The recall later grew significantly.

Publix expanded its action to all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries sold across eight states.

The FDA said Publix tested samples of its GreenWise frozen blueberries, and one tested positive for the same E. coli O145 strain linked to the outbreak.

The recall reached Walmart in September when Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur recalled a lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend.

The Oct. 2 expansion adds more lots of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend as well as Great Value Organic Blueberries and Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend.

What started with a lot of Publix frozen blueberries has now expanded over several months to include multiple frozen berry products carrying brands sold by three major grocery retailers.

E. coli outbreak sickened 17 people

The recalls are linked to an E. coli O145 outbreak that sickened 17 people in Florida and Georgia, according to the FDA.

Six people were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.

Of the 13 people interviewed by health officials, 11 (85%) reported eating frozen blueberries.

Illnesses began between May 11 and Aug. 2.

During the investigation, FDA samples of finished products tested negative for E. coli. 

However, Publix separately collected samples of its GreenWise Organic Frozen Blueberries, and one tested positive for E. coli O145.

The CDC declared the outbreak over on Sept. 21, while the FDA said its outbreak investigation was complete.

But that did not mean all potentially affected products were necessarily gone from consumers’ homes.

The FDA specifically warned shoppers that recalled products have dates ending in 2028 and urged consumers to check their freezers.

Less than two weeks after the outbreak was declared over, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur announced its latest recall expansion.

The FDA has also placed frozen blueberries from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur on an import alert, allowing shipments offered for entry into the U.S. to be detained without physical examination.

Walmart and Trader Joe’s recall frozen berries in over 25 states.brozova / Getty Images

What shoppers should know about E. coli

E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing strain of E. coli that can cause severe stomach cramps and diarrhea.

Most healthy people recover within about a week, but some infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a potentially serious complication that can result in kidney failure.

Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness.

The newly recalled products carry dates as far out as June 2028, so ensure to check freezers and discard the product at the earliest. 

For any other information, consumers can contact info.foodsafety@comfrut.com. 

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