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New York state might soon send you a $250 check for unclaimed funds

By

Giulia Heyward

Published Jan 6, 2025

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The back of a $50 bill.

 

Trekandshoot / Getty Images

By

Giulia Heyward

Published Jan 6, 2025

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New York state just might send you a check of up to $250 soon – without you having to make any kind of application or take any step first.

That’s because a new update to the state’s abandoned property law lets the state comptroller’s office automatically dole out as much as $250 per individual from unclaimed funds — money left owed to them in resources like utility deposits, trust funds, old bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, gift cards and estates.

State officials say they already distribute about $1.5 million a day from lost financial assets going as far back as the 1940s. According to New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office, it’s distributed more than $11 million so far in 2025.

NBC reported checks will go out in the mail this month.

But New Yorkers may also be entitled to more. The state comptroller’s office is holding multiple events this month for people eager to learn about and apply for funds they’re owed.

The in-person events this month are an attempt to help the comptroller rid his office of $19 billion spread across 51 million unclaimed funds.

“By joining and holding events across the state we can help individuals, companies, nonprofits and municipalities check for unclaimed funds and get their money back to them quickly and easily,” DiNapoli said in a statement on Monday.

New Yorkers can check to see if they’re entitled to any unclaimed funds by searching for their names — or the names of relatives and organizations they belong to — on the state controller’s website. Anyone who can’t attend an event can also use the online claims system or call 1-800-221-9311 to get their money.

The following events are coming up in January:

Tagged

new york city

economy

Giulia Heyward

Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.

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