Every Official Place to Look for Unclaimed Money, in One Free Checklist

What counts as unclaimed money?

If a business, financial institution, or government owes you money that you never collected, it becomes unclaimed money or property.

This can be an old bank account, an insurance policy, a paycheck, a refund, or a pension you forgot about. You can also file for money owed to a relative who has passed away, if you are their legal heir.

According to USA.gov, there is no single place that holds all unclaimed money. You have to check a few different official databases. The good news: every one of them is free to search.

Where does most unclaimed money sit?

State governments hold most unclaimed money. Common sources are old bank accounts, insurance policies, and state agencies.

USA.gov says to search your own state's unclaimed property office first. If you have lived in more than one state, check each of those states too. Money stays in the state where you last had the account or address.

This step alone finds money for a lot of people. It only takes a few minutes per state.

What else should I search beyond my state?

USA.gov keeps a chart of separate databases for different kinds of money. Here is the checklist you can work through in an afternoon:

Unpaid wages: the Department of Labor database for back pay an employer may owe you. Pensions: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) search tool for an unclaimed pension from a former job.

Insurance: the VA database for unclaimed veterans life insurance funds, and the HUD database for FHA mortgage insurance refunds. Taxes: the IRS Where's My Refund tool for a tax refund you never got.

Investments and closed institutions: the SEC database for investment enforcement funds, the FDIC database for money from closed banks, and the credit union database for closed credit unions.

More sources: TreasuryHunt.gov for matured savings bonds, the U.S. Courts Unclaimed Funds Locator for money from bankruptcies, and the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration Whereabouts Unknown tool for Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts.

A note on stimulus checks

USA.gov notes that the period to claim unpaid Economic Impact Payments has ended. In December 2024, the IRS sent payments to people who did not receive them or claim the Recovery Rebate Credit by April 2025.

So that door is closed, but the other searches above are still open and worth your time.

One more thing: you never need to pay anyone to find or claim your unclaimed money. These official searches are free. Be careful of companies that offer to find your money for a fee. You can do every step yourself at no cost.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything to search for unclaimed money?

No. Every official database listed by USA.gov is free to search and free to file a claim. You never need to pay a company to find money that is already yours.

Can I claim money owed to a relative who died?

Yes. USA.gov says you may be able to file for unclaimed money owed to a deceased relative if you are their legal heir. Each database will list what proof you need.

I lived in more than one state. Where do I look?

Check the unclaimed property office in every state where you have lived. Money is usually held by the state tied to your old account or address, so more than one may have funds for you.

Can I still get a missing stimulus check?

No. USA.gov reports the period to claim unpaid Economic Impact Payments has ended. The IRS sent final payments in December 2024 to people who missed the April 2025 deadline.