What if the government owed you money and you didn’t even know it? Every year, billions of dollars in unclaimed funds, tax refunds, stimulus overpayments, pensions, and benefits go untouched simply because people don’t realize they’re eligible.
💸 Where Is This Money Coming From?
You’d be surprised how many ways unclaimed cash can pile up. Some of the most common sources include:
State-held unclaimed property (like forgotten bank accounts, refunds, or checks)
Unclaimed federal tax refunds
Overpaid utility or insurance bills
Pension benefits from previous jobs
Veteran’s benefits or survivor payouts
Life insurance policies with unclaimed beneficiaries
Stimulus or pandemic relief funds you may have missed
In fact, according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA), 1 in 10 Americans has unclaimed property.
🏛️ How to Check If You’re Owed Money
The good news? It’s free to check—and takes only a few minutes.
Start with these official resources:
MissingMoney.com – A multi-state database endorsed by 40+ state governments
Unclaimed.org – Run by NAUPA to help you search by state
IRS.gov/refunds – Check for unclaimed tax refunds going back up to 3 years
Benefits.gov – See what government programs or benefits you may qualify for
PensionBenefitGuarantyCorp.gov – Search for unclaimed pensions from past employers
You’ll usually just need your full name, state, and possibly a past address to search.
⏳ Why It’s Important to Act Now
Some types of unclaimed money don’t stay available forever. For example:
Tax refunds must be claimed within 3 years
Certain benefits or credits can expire or roll over
Some states may eventually absorb unclaimed property into the general fund
In other words: if you wait too long, that money could be gone for good.