Where To Find Unclaimed Money You Might Be Owed

Many people have money sitting in government or financial accounts they never claimed—old paychecks, utility deposits, insurance payouts, and more. This guide explains where to look and how to search safely.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; to claim money you must use official government and financial institution channels.

Fast Answer: The Main Places To Search for Unclaimed Money

Most unclaimed money in the U.S. is held by state unclaimed property programs and a few key federal or national databases. To find it, you typically need to search in several places:

Key places to check first (all free):

1. Your state’s unclaimed property office (for old bank accounts, paychecks, refunds).
2. Other states where you lived, worked, or held accounts.
3. Federal refund tools (like IRS refunds or tax credits).
4. Specialized databases (pensions, FDIC-closed banks, credit union liquidations, veteran benefits, etc.).

A simple starting sequence:

1. Search your current state’s unclaimed property database.
2. Search each previous state you lived or worked in.
3. Check federal tools (IRS, pensions, bank/credit union failures) if they apply to you.

Key Terms (Plain English)

• Unclaimed property: Money or assets owed to you that a company or agency could not deliver, so it was turned over to the state or another authority.
• Escheat: The process where unclaimed money is transferred from a business to the state after a certain period.
• Unclaimed property program: A state-run office that holds and manages unclaimed money for residents.
• Claim form: The official form you submit to request your money.

Where To Search: State, Federal, and Other Official Databases

1. State Unclaimed Property Offices (Your Primary Search)

Each state (plus D.C. and some territories) has an official unclaimed property program, usually run by the State Treasurer, Comptroller, or Department of Revenue. These programs typically hold:

• Old checking or savings accounts
• Uncashed paychecks
• Utility or rental deposits
• Insurance payouts and refunds
• Stock dividends or mutual funds (sometimes liquidated to cash)

Because laws, websites, and office names vary by state, the best approach is:

1. Go to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA)-backed site MissingMoney.com or USA.gov’s unclaimed money page.
2. Use the tools there to find a link to your official state unclaimed property website.
3. Confirm you are on a .gov site or clearly official state portal before entering any personal information.

Most state databases let you search by name and city for free and show basic details like the holder name (bank, employer, insurer) and amount range.

2. Other States Where You Lived or Worked

Unclaimed money usually stays in the state where the company was based or where your last known address was, not necessarily your current state.

If you ever:

• Moved across state lines
• Went to college out of state
• Worked temporary or seasonal jobs in another state
• Had online bank accounts or credit cards with out-of-state institutions

…you should repeat the search in each of those states using their official unclaimed property sites.

Real-world friction to watch for:
People often get stuck when they search only their current state, ignore old names (like married vs. maiden names), or forget about short-term jobs; running multiple searches under all previous names and all prior states can uncover additional matches.

3. Federal and National-Level Sources of Unclaimed Money

Some types of unclaimed money are handled at the federal level or through specialized national systems, not by your state.

Here are major official sources:

You can find a consolidated list of official links on USA.gov’s unclaimed money page.

4. Pensions, Retirement, and Workplace Benefits

If you changed jobs or your employer went out of business, unclaimed pension or retirement benefits might be held elsewhere.

Common places to check:

• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC): For certain private pensions from companies that ended or transferred plans.
• Old 401(k) or retirement accounts: Often held by plan administrators or moved to an IRA if you were unresponsive; contact former employers’ HR departments or plan providers if you know their names.
• Government or military retirement benefits: Check the appropriate federal agency (e.g., Office of Personnel Management, Defense Finance and Accounting Service) if you previously worked in those roles.

Because these systems are complex, searching often requires basic details like former employer name, dates of employment, and your Social Security number (entered only on secure, official sites).

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Claim

You can typically search with just a name and city, but to actually claim money you’ll usually need:

• Legal name (and any previous names you used).
• Current mailing address and contact information.
• Proof of identity: commonly a driver’s license or state ID, SSN (full or last 4 digits), and sometimes a birth certificate or passport.
• Proof of address or ownership: old utility bills, bank statements, tax forms, or employment records tied to the address or account in question.
• For estates: death certificate and legal documents showing you’re the executor, heir, or legal representative.

Common snags (and quick fixes):

• Name change due to marriage/divorce → Include documents showing the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
• Old address you no longer have proof of → Look for old tax returns, pay stubs, or credit reports that show that address.
• Claiming for a deceased relative → Gather probate or estate papers before starting the claim, as these are often required.

Your Next Steps: How To Search and File a Claim

Step 1: Run Free Searches

1. Go to an official directory such as USA.gov’s unclaimed money page.
2. Click through to your state’s unclaimed property site and any other states where you lived or worked.
3. Search by your full name, and then again with any variations (middle initial, former last name, common misspellings).
4. Make a list of results that clearly match you, including claim IDs or reference numbers.

What to expect: Most systems instantly show matches, but some may require you to create a basic online account to view details or start a claim.

Step 2: Start an Official Claim

1. On each state’s official site, select the property you believe is yours and choose “File a Claim” or similar.
2. Complete the online claim form with your current contact information and any requested details that link you to the original account (old address, employer, etc.).
3. Upload or mail required documents for identity and address verification, following instructions on that specific site.
4. Write down or print your claim confirmation number for your records.

What to expect next: Processing times vary widely by state and claim size—it can take several weeks to several months; you may receive a check, direct deposit, or a letter asking for more information.

Step 3: Follow Up If You Don’t Hear Back

If you have a confirmation number and no update after a reasonable period listed on the site:

• Look for a “Check claim status” tool on the state’s unclaimed property page.
• If that’s not available, call the office; a simple script you can adapt:
  “Hello, I’m calling about an unclaimed property claim I filed. My name is [Your Name], and my claim number is [Number]. Can you tell me if any additional information is needed from me?”

If this happens → do this:

• Your documents are rejected or unclear → Ask exactly what was missing and resubmit clearer copies or alternative proof (like a different bill or tax record).
• You can’t find the right agency → Use USA.gov or your state’s main .gov portal and search “unclaimed property” to locate the correct office.

Avoid Mistakes and Unclaimed Money Scams

Any tool to locate or claim unclaimed money should be free when using official government websites. Be cautious about:

• Sites that charge a fee up front just to search; the same information is typically free on official portals.
• Requests for payment or “processing fees” in exchange for faster release of funds—government agencies usually do not charge these.
• Emails, texts, or calls claiming you won a prize or grant and asking you to pay taxes or fees first—this is a common scam.
• Non-.gov websites that look official but don’t clearly identify a state agency.

If you choose to sign a contract with a “finder” or locator service, read it carefully; such services typically take a percentage of your claim even though you could usually file yourself for free.

If This Doesn’t Work or You Hit a Dead End

If you don’t find money but believe you should have some:

• Double-check spelling variations, middle names, and all prior addresses.
• Search again in all other states connected to your life (college, military postings, temporary work).
• Contact past employers, insurers, or banks directly if you know they owed you money; ask if they turned any funds over to a state program and, if so, which state.

If there’s a dispute about ownership (for example, similar names or unclear records), some states provide an appeal or review process through their unclaimed property office; instructions are usually posted on the agency’s official site.

Once you’ve checked your relevant state sites, the federal tools, and any known past employers or banks, you can be reasonably confident you’ve done a thorough search, and you can repeat the process once in a while to catch any new items that may appear later.