How To Find Out If The State Owes You Money

How To Find Out If The State Owes You Money
Find out if New York State owes you money. (Photo: Pictures of Money / Flickr)
Find out if New York State owes you money. (Photo: Pictures of Money / Flickr)

Alright, folks, time to open up those pockets — some money could be coming your way!

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office today announced they’ll be holding community events around state — including in Brooklyn — to help residents search for lost and forgotten money, also known as unclaimed funds. Currently, DiNapoli oversees $14 billion held in 33 million unclaimed funds accounts until the money can be returned to its rightful owners.

The billions in unclaimed funds come from old bank accounts, utility deposits, uncashed checks, insurance claims, stocks and other sources that have been dormant for a number of years. Some accounts hold money that has been lost and forgotten since the 1940s.

According to this map, there are 976,108 accounts holding $558,477,082 in unclaimed funds from Brooklyn residents.

The Comptroller’s office will hold an event in Brooklyn to help connect people with their money on Saturday, August 22, 10am-3pm at the Woodhull Hospital Health Fair (760 Broadway).

“I encourage everyone to come out and search for money that may be waiting for them,” DiNapoli said. “We return more than a million dollars a day to residents across the state, but we want to do more. It’s your money, we want to give it back.”

If you can’t make it to the events, you can also search online for unclaimed funds or call 1-800-221-9311.

To find out more about unclaimed funds in general, go here.