NYS unclaimed funds: How to check if you're owed money

The state might owe you money. No, this isn't a scam. 

Nearly $1.2 billion in unclaimed funds is available across more than 5 million accounts on Long Island, coming from utility deposits, trust funds, old bank accounts, uncashed checks or unused gift cards, according to the New York State Comptroller's Office. Many organizations, such as banks and insurance companies, are legally required to report dormant accounts to the state comptroller.

Not just anyone can claim the money, though. An applicant must provide documentation to prove the funds belong to them.

A spokesperson for the comptroller's office said applicants should plan to provide their full name and Social Security number when claiming funds online. The comptroller's office may request a valid photo ID or proof of an old address via email or letter if more information is needed. 

If representing a dead relative, applicants should have a copy of the death certificate and documents proving their authority to claim the funds, the spokesperson said. 

Long Islanders interested in checking whether there could be money in their name can attend an in-person event, call 1-800-221-9311 or use the online claiming system at osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds.

The next event on Long Island where residents can seek lost funds is the Oyster Festival at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 17 and 18.

"My office makes every effort to connect New Yorkers with their lost money," Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who is running for reelection in November, said in a news release.

"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.

The state comptroller's Office of Unclaimed Funds gives back on average more than $2 million to New Yorkers every day, thanks to the Expedited Payment Program that launched in January 2025, and has returned more than $515 million since the beginning of this year, according to the comptroller's office.

There's no fee or time limit to claim lost money from the state, but unclaimed funds are sometimes swept into the state general fund, Newsday has reported, including $896 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Be wary of swindlers who might pretend to represent the government and send funds in exchange for a fee or personal information, the state has warned. The comptroller's office will never charge a fee to reclaim lost funds, a spokesperson said, and applicants should look for ".gov" and "https" to indicate secure websites. 

By Brianne Ledda

brianne.ledda@newsday.com@brianne_ledda

Brianne Ledda covers personal finance and affordability for Newsday. She previously covered Southold and Greenport for The Suffolk Times and is a graduate of Stony Brook University.