New York to Automatically Issue $250 Checks for Unclaimed Funds

A new state law streamlines the process for returning unclaimed money, benefiting residents with amounts under $250 starting this month.

New York State has implemented a new law allowing unclaimed funds of up to $250 to be automatically returned to residents without requiring a claim.
The funds come from sources like old bank accounts, insurance policies, gift cards, and other financial assets reported as unclaimed in 2025.
Checks will begin arriving this January, with the state comptroller's office verifying rightful ownership before issuing payments.
Amounts exceeding $250 or unclaimed funds reported before 2025 will still require residents to file claims through the traditional process.
The comptroller's office is holding events and offering online tools to help residents and heirs search for and claim unclaimed funds, with over $19 billion currently held by the state.