How to Find Unclaimed Money Owed to You

Unclaimed money is often sitting in government-held accounts under your name from old bank accounts, security deposits, refunds, or paychecks you never received. This page explains how people typically find and claim it using official tools.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; you must use official government or financial institution channels to search for and claim any unclaimed funds.

Fast Answer: Where to Search First

To find unclaimed money, you typically need to search your name and current/previous addresses on official unclaimed property websites, then follow each site’s claim process with proof of identity.

The main places to check are:

State unclaimed property programs (for bank accounts, checks, deposits, refunds)
Federal agencies (for tax refunds, savings bonds, government benefits)
Insurance and pension databases
Courts or local governments (for deposits, refunds, or overpayments)

You usually will not get a notice automatically; in most states, you need to actively search.

Key Terms (Plain Language)

Unclaimed property – Money or assets a business or agency owes you, but you never received or used (for example, old bank accounts, checks, or refunds).
Holder – The business or organization that originally held your money (bank, employer, utility company, etc.) before turning it over to the state.
Escheat – The legal process where unclaimed money is transferred from the holder to the state’s unclaimed property office.
Heir/beneficiary claim – A claim filed when the original owner is deceased and a relative or estate representative is trying to recover the funds.

Your Next Steps: Step‑by‑Step Search for Unclaimed Money

1. Search your state’s unclaimed property site

Most unclaimed property is held by state unclaimed property programs, often run by the state treasurer, comptroller, or revenue department.

Go to your official state unclaimed property website.
- A reliable starting point is the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) at unclaimed.org, which links to each state’s official site.
Search by your full legal name.
Try name + city and name + previous addresses, plus any former names (such as a maiden name).
Review results carefully.
Confirm that the name, last known address, and sometimes employer or business name match you.
Start a claim on eligible items.
Click the property that appears to be yours and begin the claim process on that state’s site.
What to expect next:
You are usually asked to create an account or provide contact details, then upload or mail documents (ID, proof of address). Processing times vary by state and can range from a couple of weeks to several months.

2. Repeat the search in every state where you’ve lived or worked

Unclaimed money is usually held in the state where the holder is located or where you lived when the account/address was active.

Make a list of all states where you:
- Lived
- Worked
- Attended college or the military
Search each state’s official unclaimed property site through unclaimed.org or directly through that state’s treasurer/comptroller site.
Submit separate claims in each state where you find property.
What to expect next:
You may receive follow‑up emails or letters asking for more proof. Some states allow tracking claim status via their portal; others may send a paper check once approved.

3. Check federal sources (not covered by state sites)

Some unclaimed money is held by federal agencies, not state programs. Common places to check include:

IRS tax refunds – If a refund check was never delivered or you didn’t file a tax return you were owed a refund for.
- Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” or “Get Refund Status” tools on the official IRS website at irs.gov.
U.S. Savings Bonds – Old paper bonds that were never cashed.
- Treasury services for savings bonds and related tools are at treasurydirect.gov (official U.S. Department of the Treasury).
VA benefits or federal retirement benefits – Sometimes unpaid benefits or survivor benefits are held until claimed, usually through the agency that administers the benefit (for example, the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Office of Personnel Management).

Federal tools usually require Social Security number, filing status, and exact name to verify your identity.

4. Look for unclaimed money from jobs, insurance, and courts

Beyond state and federal databases, some unclaimed funds are connected to specific types of accounts:

Old employer retirement accounts or pensions
- Sometimes you leave a job and your small 401(k) or pension is left behind or converted.
- The U.S. Department of Labor maintains resources on abandoned plans through dol.gov, and some states list unclaimed retirement benefits in their property database.
Uncashed paychecks or wage claims
- State labor departments sometimes hold unclaimed wages from enforcement actions or unpaid wage claims.
Insurance and annuities
- Life insurance companies sometimes transfer unpaid benefits to state unclaimed property programs.
- Search by name on your state site; these are often clearly labeled as insurance proceeds.
Court refunds, bail, or overpayments
- Many county and city court systems hold unclaimed funds from bail, restitution, or filing fee overpayments.
- Look for “unclaimed funds” or “unclaimed restitution” on your local court or county treasurer’s official website.

What to expect: these sources may have their own claim forms separate from your state’s main database, and some require case numbers or employer names in addition to personal information.

What You’ll Need Ready to File a Claim

Having the right documents ready helps prevent delays and back‑and‑forth with the agency.

Commonly required items include:

Government‑issued photo ID – Driver’s license, state ID, or passport.
Social Security number (SSN) or Taxpayer ID – Often requested to match records and prevent fraud.
Proof of address – A utility bill, lease, bank statement, or tax return showing your name at the address linked to the unclaimed property.
Name change proof (if applicable) – Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order if your current name is different from the name on the record.
Estate/relationship documents if claiming for someone else – Death certificate, will, letters of administration, or other estate paperwork.

Do this next: Before starting any online claim, scan or clearly photograph these documents so you can upload them quickly if asked.

Common Snags (and Quick Fixes)

Name or address doesn’t match exactly → Provide extra documentation tying you to that address (old lease, tax return, pay stub, or W‑2).
You no longer have proof of an old address → Ask the state agency what alternative proof they accept; some will take employer letters, credit reports, or official records with that address.
You can’t tell if a listing is yours or someone with the same name → Contact the unclaimed property office and ask what identifying details they have on file (such as last four digits of SSN or employer name), then confirm match before filing.
You started a claim and never heard back → Use the claim status feature on the state site if available, or call and provide your claim number to check whether they’re waiting on more documents.

Quick Summary: Where to Look and What to Expect

Start with your state’s unclaimed property office via unclaimed.org.
Search every state where you have lived, worked, or gone to school.
Check federal sources, especially irs.gov for tax refunds and treasurydirect.gov for savings bonds.
Gather ID, proof of address, and any name‑change or estate papers before filing.
Expect to upload or mail documents and wait weeks or months for review and payment.
Never pay a large fee for someone else to search; you can typically do it yourself for free on official sites.

Avoid Mistakes and Unclaimed Money Scams

Because unclaimed money involves identity information and potential payouts, scam activity is common.

Use only official government websites.
Official sites usually end in .gov or are clearly linked from unclaimed.org or your state treasurer/comptroller website.
Beware of unsolicited calls, texts, or emails claiming you have unclaimed money.
Real state programs typically do not cold‑call asking for your full SSN, bank logins, or payment to release funds.
Be cautious of companies charging high “finder’s fees.”
Some states allow paid “locators,” but the same search is usually free on state sites. If you choose to use one, read contracts carefully and never sign away ownership of your claim.
Never share online banking passwords or send ID documents through unencrypted email when you can upload them via secure portals instead.
If you are unsure whether a site is official, you can call your state treasurer or unclaimed property office directly using a phone number listed on the state’s main .gov site and ask.

A simple phone script you can use:
“Hi, I found a website that says I have unclaimed property. Can you confirm the correct official website for unclaimed property for this state and how I should safely file a claim?”

If You’re Still Stuck or Can’t Find Anything

If you’ve checked the obvious places and still think money may be owed to you:

Verify your name and address history.
Search under nicknames, previous married names, and common misspellings of your name.
Check with former employers and landlords.
Ask payroll or HR if any checks were returned or if funds were turned over to a specific state.
Look up local court and county treasurer sites for “unclaimed funds” listings not yet transferred to the state.
Call your state unclaimed property office if you have a specific situation (for example, a known uncashed check or closed account) and ask how that type of property is usually reported.

Because processes and agencies vary by state, the most reliable way to confirm you’re searching in the right place is to start on your state’s official government website, look for “unclaimed property” or “unclaimed funds,” and, if needed, call the listed number for direct guidance. Once you’ve searched state sites, key federal tools, and relevant local offices, you can be reasonably confident you’ve covered the main ways to find unclaimed money that might be owed to you.