Glossary term
Unclaimed property
Definition
Money or assets that belong to you but that a company or government agency has lost track of.
Unclaimed property is cash, bank accounts, insurance payouts, stock dividends, utility deposits or other assets in your name that you haven't claimed or used in a long time. Companies and government agencies are required to turn over this money to the state if they can't reach you after a certain period (usually 3 to 5 years).
Examples include a savings account you forgot about, a security deposit from an old apartment, or a life insurance payout that never reached you.
You can search for unclaimed property for free through your state's unclaimed property program. Money you find is yours to keep—there's no catch, and applying is free. Only the state agency decides what they can release to you based on your claim.
Unclaimed property is different from government benefits. It's money that was already yours; the state is just holding it until you claim it.
Programs where this matters
Child Tax CreditFederal · Internal Revenue ServiceThe Child Tax Credit is a federal tax credit that may lower the tax you owe if you are raising qualifying children.EITCFederal · Internal Revenue ServiceThe EITC is a federal tax credit for people who work and have low to moderate income. It may lower your tax and add to your refund.IRS RefundFederal · Internal Revenue ServiceWhere's My Refund? is the IRS online tool for checking the status of your federal income tax refund.LIHEAPState-run · HHS Administration for Children and FamiliesLIHEAP helps households with low income pay heating and cooling bills, and may help in an energy crisis such as a shut-off notice.LifelineFederal · FCC / Universal Service Administrative CompanyLifeline is a federal program that may give households with low income a discount on phone or internet service.MedicaidState-run · Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicaid is free or low-cost health coverage run by each state with federal funding, for children, adults, pregnant people, older adults and people with disabilities.SNAPState-run · USDA Food and Nutrition ServiceSNAP gives monthly benefits on an EBT card to help households with low income buy food.WICState-run · USDA Food and Nutrition ServiceWIC gives healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding support to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children with low income.ACA SubsidiesFederal · Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesPremium tax credits may lower the monthly cost of a health plan you buy through the ACA Marketplace.CHIPState-run · Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesCHIP gives low-cost health coverage to uninsured children in families that earn too much for Medicaid.Child Care AidState-run · HHS Administration for Children and FamiliesChild care assistance helps families with low income pay for child care so parents can work, look for work, or go to school or training.Extra HelpFederal · Social Security AdministrationExtra Help may lower what people with Medicare and limited income and resources pay for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.Head StartLocal · HHS Administration for Children and FamiliesHead Start and Early Head Start offer free early learning, health and family support services to young children from families with low income.MSPState-run · Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicare Savings Programs help people with Medicare who have limited income and resources pay Medicare costs such as premiums.MedicareFederal · Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicare is federal health insurance for older adults and some younger people with disabilities.SSIFederal · Social Security AdministrationSSI pays monthly cash to people with limited income and resources who are older, blind or have a disability.Section 8Local · US Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentHousing Choice Vouchers, often called Section 8, help families with low income pay rent for a home they find in the private market.TANFState-run · HHS Administration for Children and FamiliesTANF gives cash help and support services to families with children who have low income. Each state runs its own program.UnemploymentState-run · US Department of Labor / state workforce agenciesUnemployment insurance pays temporary cash benefits to workers who lose their jobs and meet their state's rules.Pell GrantFederal · US Department of EducationThe Federal Pell Grant helps undergraduate students with financial need pay for college. Unlike a loan, it usually does not have to be repaid.Property Tax ReliefState-run · State revenue departmentsMany states offer property tax relief that may lower property tax bills for some homeowners, such as older adults, people with disabilities and veterans.SSDIFederal · Social Security AdministrationSSDI pays monthly benefits to people who cannot work because of a disability and who have worked and paid Social Security taxes.School MealsState-run · USDA Food and Nutrition ServiceFree and reduced-price school meals help children eat well at school, and Summer EBT helps families buy food for children in the summer.VA BenefitsFederal · US Department of Veterans AffairsThe US Department of Veterans Affairs offers disability pay, pension and health care to eligible veterans, and some benefits to their families.WeatherizationState-run · US Department of EnergyThe Weatherization Assistance Program makes free energy-saving home improvements, like insulation and heating repairs, for households with low income.