A surprise payment of up to $250 is arriving in many New Yorkers’ mailboxes—and it’s not a scam or lottery win. Under new legislation, the New York State Comptroller’s Office can now automatically send small unclaimed fund payments (for amounts of $250 or less) without requiring individuals to file a claim. This change aims to restore forgotten money to rightful owners faster and more efficiently.
In 2025 alone, tens of thousands have already received these checks—many in the $50 to $100 range. But there’s still a lot you need to know to see if you’re eligible.
Why this is happening: unclaimed funds and new law
New York holds a massive pool of unclaimed property—money and assets that people have lost track of. These include:
- Inactive or forgotten bank accounts
- Uncashed checks
- Unused gift cards
- Insurance payouts
- Utilities deposits or refundable balances
- Stock certificates or securities
In many cases, the rightful owner has moved, changed contact information, or simply forgotten. Previously, if you wanted to recover that money, you had to actively file a claim. But now, a new legal change allows the Comptroller’s office to issue automatic payments of $250 or less to verified owners—no claim needed.
What we know so far: figures and scope
| Metric / Indicator | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Number of New Yorkers receiving checks so far in 2025 | ~70,000+ |
| Total returned via these automatic checks in 2025 | ~$5.4 million |
| Common range of checks sent | ~$50 to $100 |
| Statewide unclaimed funds pool | Over $20 billion+ |
| Daily returned amount (all programs) | ~$2 million per day |
| Check value eligibility for auto-mailing | $250 or less |
These auto-checks represent just a fraction of what’s unclaimed overall—so even if you don’t receive one, you might still be owed more.
Who qualifies and who doesn’t
Who can get an automatic check
- Individuals with unclaimed funds under $250 that can be verified by the Comptroller’s office
- Those whose contact/address information is up to date and matches state records
- New or recently reported unclaimed properties (part of the 2025 legislative change)
Who won’t get one automatically
- People owed more than $250 (those amounts still require you to file a claim manually)
- Cases that involve complex ownership, missing identity verification, or outdated/undeliverable addresses
- Older unclaimed funds reported before 2025 may not qualify for automatic payout under the new law
The Comptroller’s office is proceeding cautiously. Officials have described this process as a “slow roll”, meaning they’re gradually expanding the automatic program to avoid errors and fraud.
How to check if you’re owed money
- Go to the New York State Comptroller’s unclaimed funds website.
- Enter your full name, and try alternate spellings if needed.
- Also search relatives’ names, especially those who have passed away—some accounts go back many decades.
- If there is a match, file a manual claim (for amounts > $250) or see if your name was selected for automatic payment.
- Monitor claim status and keep contact information updated.
There’s no fee to search or claim your money.
Scam precautions: what to watch for
- Legitimate checks from the Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds will match your name and address.
- The state never charges fees for returning unclaimed funds.
- Be wary of third parties who demand payment or personal sensitive data to “help” you claim funds.
- Always verify details directly on the Comptroller’s official website.
The new automatic $250 checks represent a positive shift in helping New Yorkers reclaim lost money quickly and easily. But they cover only a portion of what’s owed.
Even if you don’t receive a surprise check, you could still have larger amounts waiting—so it’s worth spending a few minutes to check via the state’s official unclaimed funds portal. Don’t miss out on money that could rightfully be yours.
FAQs
Why did I get a check without applying?
Under new rules, the state can automatically send you checks up to $250 from unclaimed funds—no application needed if your ownership is verified.
If I don’t get an automatic check, am I still owed money?
Yes. Many unclaimed funds above $250 or with ownership complications must still be claimed manually.
Is there a deadline to claim unclaimed funds in New York?
Generally no. Most unclaimed property remains available indefinitely until claimed.