The Total Amount of Unclaimed Money in Every State — Is Some of It Yours?
If you’re regularly scrounging for loose change in your couch cushions, there’s a better way to get free money. One in 10 Americans has unclaimed property that they don’t even know exists. There are billions of dollars being held by state governments and treasuries across the United States — and you could be missing out on your fair share of it.
There are many different examples of unclaimed property, including uncashed checks, stocks, refunds and security deposits, among other things. After a certain period of time, this money becomes “unclaimed” due to a lack of activity, which normally entails having no contact with the owner for a year or more. By law, unclaimed money must be handed over to the state government. Over $3 billion is returned by states every year, according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.
“While most claims are small, in the event that someone reclaims a considerable amount of money, it’s best to look at the money as an opportunity to invest or save instead of spending,” said Alex Gaines, a representative from Simple Thrifty Living.
GOBankingRates analyzed data from Simple Thrifty Living to evaluate each person’s average share of the total amount of unclaimed money in their state. More populous states have a greater amount of total unclaimed money, which comes as no surprise. However, residents in smaller states — like Delaware and Arkansas — may be delighted to find a more generous share allotted to each person.
“Other than population, some states are much more aggressive about notifying residents of unclaimed money which could be a factor in why some states have less than others,” Gaines said.
Depending on your individual situation and where you live, you could be leaving free money on the table without knowing it.
Last updated: Oct. 27, 2020
50. Mississippi
Total amount of unclaimed money: $31,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $10.39
49. New Hampshire
Total amount of unclaimed money: $18,500,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $13.70
48. Maryland
Total amount of unclaimed money: $90,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $14.80
47. Idaho
Total amount of unclaimed money: $57,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $32.50
46. North Dakota
Total amount of unclaimed money: $29,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $38.40
45. Florida
Total amount of unclaimed money: $1,000,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $46.92
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44. Kentucky
Total amount of unclaimed money: $244,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $54.56
43. North Carolina
Total amount of unclaimed money: $659,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $63.43
42. Indiana
Total amount of unclaimed money: $460,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $68.66
41. New Mexico
Total amount of unclaimed money: $151,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $72.22
40. Vermont
Total amount of unclaimed money: $51,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $81.74
39. Alabama
Total amount of unclaimed money: $400,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $81.82
38. Montana
Total amount of unclaimed money: $89,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $83.78
37. Wisconsin
Total amount of unclaimed money: $500,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $85.94
36. Nebraska
Total amount of unclaimed money: $170,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $87.97
35. Iowa
Total amount of unclaimed money: $316,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $99.98
34. Kansas
Total amount of unclaimed money: $300,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $102.79
33. Wyoming
Total amount of unclaimed money: $60,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $104.58
32. Colorado
Total amount of unclaimed money: $600,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $105.56
31. South Carolina
Total amount of unclaimed money: $550,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $108.08
30. Washington
Total amount of unclaimed money: $830,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $110.22
29. New Jersey
Total amount of unclaimed money: $1,000,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $110.71
28. Utah
Total amount of unclaimed money: $370,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $117.11
27. Tennessee
Total amount of unclaimed money: $819,700,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $120.85
26. Alaska
Total amount of unclaimed money: $91,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $122.66
25. Minnesota
Total amount of unclaimed money: $711,500,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $126.42
24. West Virginia
Total amount of unclaimed money: $230,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $127.56
23. Oregon
Total amount of unclaimed money: $564,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $134.40
22. Texas
Total amount of unclaimed money: $4,000,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $139.35
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21. Arizona
Total amount of unclaimed money: $1,000,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $140.37
20. Oklahoma
Total amount of unclaimed money: $585,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $148.46
19. Louisiana
Total amount of unclaimed money: $750,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $160.17
18. Missouri
Total amount of unclaimed money: $988,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $161.02
17. Maine
Total amount of unclaimed money: $240,192,468
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $179.04
16. Georgia
Total amount of unclaimed money: $2,000,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $189.66
15. Hawaii
Total amount of unclaimed money: $280,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $196.30
14. Michigan
Total amount of unclaimed money: $2,000,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $200.18
13. California
Total amount of unclaimed money: $8,000,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $201.12
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12. Connecticut
Total amount of unclaimed money: $751,997,916
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $209.55
11. Nevada
Total amount of unclaimed money: $650,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $212.64
10. Illinois
Total amount of unclaimed money: $2,900,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $227.12
9. Ohio
Total amount of unclaimed money: $2,800,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $239.43
8. Pennsylvania
Total amount of unclaimed money: $3,200,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $249.53
7. Virginia
Total amount of unclaimed money: $2,500,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $293.23
6. Rhode Island
Total amount of unclaimed money: $325,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $306.11
5. South Dakota
Total amount of unclaimed money: $280,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $318.98
4. Massachusetts
Total amount of unclaimed money: $2,400,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $348.03
3. Arkansas
Total amount of unclaimed money: $280,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $379.37
2. Delaware
Total amount of unclaimed money: $514,100,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $529.36
1. New York
Total amount of unclaimed money: $14,000,000,000
Average amount of unclaimed money per person: $704.85
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All data used to conduct this ranking was compiled from Simple Thrifty Living and is accurate as of Dec. 6, 2019. Visit NAUPA’s website to search for any unclaimed money in the form of uncashed checks, security deposits, overpayments and more.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Total Amount of Unclaimed Money in Every State — Is Some of It Yours?
