Claim Your Illinois First Steps Seed Deposit

Illinois Residents - Claim Your Illinois First Steps $50 Seed Deposit for an Eligible Child

To complete your Illinois First Steps $50 seed deposit claim after opening an account for your eligible child, please review the eligibility requirements and complete the form below. Then click “Submit Claim for Verification”.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. The Account Owner of this Bright Directions 529 account must be the parent or legal guardian of the child.
  2. The parent or legal guardian must be a resident of Illinois at the time of birth or adoption and at the time of claim submission.
  3. The child named as the Beneficiary of this Bright Directions 529 account must be born or adopted on or after January 1, 2023.
  4. The parent or legal guardian must submit the claim before the child’s 10th birthday.
  5. The seed deposit has not been previously claimed.

To submit your claim for review and verification, please complete the required information and click the "Submit Claim for Verification" button below.

Illinois 529 Account Number

Parent/Legal Guardian

* indicates a required field
Parent City, State at the time of birth or adoption

Eligible Child

Certifications

By submitting this Claim Form, I certify and represent that:

  • I am the parent or legal guardian of the above-named child;
  • The above-named child was born or adopted on or after January 1, 2023;
  • I was a resident of Illinois at the time the above-named child was born or adopted and at the time of claim submission;
  • That the above-named child is under the age of ten (10) years;
  • I am submitting this form to claim the Illinois First Steps $50 seed deposit for the benefit of the above-named child;
  • I understand that my Bright Directions 529 Account information and the above data will be shared with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office for verification and validation;
  • I understand that only one Illinois First Steps $50 seed deposit per child may be claimed;
  • I understand the Illinois State Treasurer will hold the seed deposit in an omnibus account as owner;
  • I understand that if my claim is verified and validated, the Illinois First Steps $50 seed deposit will be made approximately 60-90 days following current quarter-end;
  • By clicking "Submit Claim for Verification", I certify that the above data entered is true and correct.