Up to $250 in unclaimed money is waiting in New York: Here’s how to get it
Current and former New York residents could be eligible to receive a check from the office of the state comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli.
New York State is doling out millions of dollars’ worth of checks as part of a drive to return unclaimed funds to their rightful owners.
The office of the state comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli, says it has sent out a total of $435.7 million to current and former New York State residents so far in 2025.
What qualifies as unclaimed funds? How do I file a claim?
“The funds derive from inactive bank accounts, uncollected insurance policies or refunds, amounts due for undelivered goods or services, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks and more,” says DiNapoli’s office.
Entities such as banks, insurance firms and state government agencies are required to turn this money over to the comptroller’s office once it has legally been declared abandoned property.
And if the unclaimed funds amount to $250 or less, DiNapoli’s office can now send a check to the rightful owner without the need for that individual to submit a claim.
This expedited process is thanks to legislation signed by New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, in November last year.
“My office holds over $19 billion in unclaimed funds, and we want to make sure that every New Yorker can easily claim their money,” DiNapoli said at the time.
“By simplifying the process, my office will be able to return lost money even faster while still ensuring the funds get back into the hands of their rightful owners.”
Speaking to Syracuse.com earlier this month, DiNapoli’s office said over 70,000 checks for $250 or less had been sent out in 2025, worth a total of nearly $5.5 million. Most unclaimed funds came to $50 to $100, the agency added.
When unclaimed funds don’t qualify for automatic disbursal, New York’s comptroller’s office says it mails out notification letters with details on how to file a claim.
New Yorkers also have the option of searching for a potential entitlement on the agency’s website.
If funds appear in your online search, a ‘claim’ button will appear beside the entry, allowing you to lodge an internet application. It is also possible to mail your claim, by filling out and sending this form to: Office of Unclaimed Funds, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12236.
New Yorker reunited with six-figure sum
The New York comptroller’s office says it is working to raise awareness of unclaimed funds by taking part in a statewide program of outreach events.
At the New York State fair in August, for example, a visitor to the comptroller’s booth found out they had $147,000 in unclaimed investment income, DiNapoli spokesperson Jennifer Freeman told Syracuse.com.
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