Billions of dollars remain unclaimed across the U.S. — and some of that money may be yours.
One in seven people has unclaimed cash sitting in the hands of the government, according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.
Unclaimed money comes in many forms, whether an uncashed check from an employer or insurance provider, or money that once belonged to a family member who’s died.
Unclaimed money can also come from stocks, bonds, mutual funds, traveler’s checks, certificates of deposit or proceeds from life insurance policies.
In 2023, Illinois’ State Treasury was in possession of more $3.5 billion in unclaimed funds — and this number is not uncommon.
Florida has over $2 billion in unclaimed funds as of 2024, the state reports, and that’s after $323 million was paid out to residents in 2023.
Ohio’s Department of Commerce reported in April that it has $4 billion in unclaimed funds.
What is unclaimed property?
Property, or monetary assets, are considered “unclaimed” after an account has remained dormant for a certain period of time, usually after several years.
Cash becomes unclaimed once it’s turned over to the state.
Even if you keep close track of your bank accounts, it may still be worth searching your name in a state database since unclaimed money comes in many forms.
How to search for unclaimed money
To check if you have unclaimed money, you’ll want to search your name in your state database.
In California, residents search through the state’s Controller’s Office with only their name, though you can also narrow down the search results with an address or city. Other states have similar online databases.
In addition to searching for your own unclaimed money, Americans can also search for funds that belonged to a relative.
In California, heirs can file a claim for money owed to a deceased relative. The process to claim the funds as an heir often requires more documentation, like a will, trust or death certificate.
Before cleaning out your loose change, make sure you're not accidentally giving away a rare penny worth thousands of dollars.
Can I search for unclaimed money in more than one state?
Most U.S. states partner with missingmoney.com, a website managed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. The website allows you to search multiple states’ unclaimed money databases on a single site.
You’ll want to search for states you’ve lived or done business in.
How to retrieve your unclaimed cash
Depending on your state, you’ll either file a claim online or via mail. While each states’ protocol varies, you’ll likely need to documentation that proves ownership of the money, along with identification.
In California, if you’re claiming property in your name, you’ll need to complete a claim affirmation form and provide your Social Security number, state identification and other documentation.
The process is more complex if you are claiming money on behalf of a child or deceased relative.
FAQs
Most unclaimed money is held by state governments from sources such as bank accounts, insurance policies, or state agencies. Search for unclaimed money from your state's unclaimed property office. If you have lived in other states, check their unclaimed property offices, too.
Which state has the most unclaimed money? ›
I found $200 my state was holding on to for rme. That's not nothing, but it's way below the $2,080 average unclaimed property amount others get. California is holding onto $13 billion worth of unclaimed property. New York has even more, nearly $19 billion in what it calls "lost money."
How do I know if I have money from the government? ›
How to search for unclaimed money. To check if you have unclaimed money, you'll want to search your name in your state database. In California, residents search through the state's Controller's Office with only their name, though you can also narrow down the search results with an address or city.
What is the best website to look for unclaimed money? ›
www.unclaimed.org is the website of the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. This is a legitimate site created by state officials to help people search for funds that may belong to you or your relatives. Searches are free.
What is the most common unclaimed property? ›
The most common types of Unclaimed Property are:
- Bank accounts and safe deposit box contents.
- Stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and dividends.
- Uncashed cashier's checks and money orders.
- Certificates of deposit.
- Matured or terminated insurance policies.
- Estates.
- Mineral interests and royalty payments.
When reclusive Chicago resident Joseph Stancak passed away at 87, his neighbors were surprised to discover he was the “Millionaire Next Door." In fact, despite living like a miser, his estate is valued at $11 million — the largest unclaimed property amount in American history.
What state has the most debt? ›
U.S. state and local government outstanding debt 2021, by state. In 2021, the federal state of California had about 541.24 billion U.S. dollars of debt outstanding, the most out of any state. New York, Texas, Illinois, and Florida rounded out the top five states with the most debt outstanding in 2021.
Is the Missing Money website legit? ›
But until that transition is approved, know that unclaimed.org and missingmoney.com are both legit.
How do I find abandoned property in my area? ›
If you see a home with overgrown weeds and broken windows in a general state of disrepair, there's a good chance it's an abandoned property. Visit the county tax collector: You can also visit your county tax collector and ask for a list of properties that are unoccupied or have unpaid taxes.
Is ClaimitTexas.gov legit? ›
Unclaimed funds in Texas get turned over to the Texas Comptroller's Office. https://www.claimittexas.gov/ is the Comptroller's own website. You can safely give out your SSN and driver's license numbers to claim your funds.
Most unclaimed money is held by state governments from sources such as bank accounts, insurance policies, or state agencies. Search for unclaimed money from your state's unclaimed property office. If you have lived in other states, check their unclaimed property offices, too.
Is there still unclaimed land in the US? ›
Today, only small areas of unclaimed land remain, yet large plots of land with little economical value (e.g., in Alaska) can still be bought for very low prices. Also, in certain parts of the world, land can still be obtained by making productive use of it.
Where is the most unclaimed land? ›
The largest unclaimed territory on Earth is in Antarctica. Marie Byrd Land, a 620,000-square-mile collection of glaciers and rock formations, lies in the western portion of the southernmost continent. Because of its remoteness, no nation has ever claimed it.
What state has the most government money? ›
U.S. state government tax revenue FY 2023, by state
In the fiscal year of 2023, the state of California collected a total of 220.59 billion U.S. dollars in tax revenue, the highest of any state. New York collected the second highest amount of taxes in that year, coming in at 125.19 billion U.S. dollars.
Which state has the most money per person? ›
Residents of the District of Columbia had the highest personal income per capita in 2023, at 100,909 U.S. dollars.
Which state has the highest money? ›
Top 10 richest states in Nigeria ranked by GDP
- Lagos State — GDP: ₦41.17 trillion. ...
- Rivers State — GDP: ₦7.96 trillion. ...
- Akwa Ibom State — GDP: ₦7.77 trillion. ...
- Imo State — GDP: ₦7.68 trillion. ...
- Delta State — GDP: ₦6.19 trillion. ...
- Anambra State — GDP: ₦5.14 trillion. ...
- Ondo State — GDP: ₦5.10 trillion.
Which States Have the Lowest Income? By the median income standard, Mississippi is poorest state in the U.S., with a household average income of $52,985. It is closely followed by West Virginia, with an average of $55,217, and Arkansas with an income rate of $56,335, as of 2022.
