Living in NYC isn’t cheap, so a surprise check in the mail is always welcome—and thousands of New Yorkers are opening their mailboxes to find payments of up to $250 they didn’t even know they were owed.
According to the New York State Comptroller’s Office, more than 70,000 residents have already received checks worth between $50 and $250 in unclaimed funds this year alone.
And the best part? You don’t even have to apply to get them.
Why New Yorkers Are Getting Checks Now
For years, New Yorkers had to file a claim to receive their share of the state’s unclaimed funds—money from things like old bank accounts, unused gift cards, uncashed checks, stock certificates, and even insurance payouts.
But thanks to new legislation, the state comptroller’s office can now automatically mail out checks worth $250 or less.
So far in 2025, this new program has already returned $5.4 million to New Yorkers, with an average payout landing between $50 and $100.
How Much Money Is Still Unclaimed In NY?
Though these surprise checks are exciting, they’re only the tip of the iceberg.
The Office of Unclaimed Funds is currently holding more than $20 billion in unclaimed money, waiting for New Yorkers to claim it. The state even returns an average of $2 million per day to residents.
That means even if you didn’t receive an automatic check, you might still be entitled to money you didn’t realize was yours.
How To Find Out If You’re Owed Money
It’s simple: head to the New York State Comptroller’s website and search your name.
💡 Pro tip: Try common misspellings of your name and even search relatives—especially those who have passed away—since some accounts date back to the 1940s.
And if you did receive a check in the mail recently from Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s Office of Unclaimed Funds, don’t worry—it’s not a scam.
2025: The Year Of Money Back In Your Pocket
Between the 2024 IRS Stimulus Check that returned $2.4 billion, the upcoming Inflation Stimulus Checks of up to $400, and now these automatic unclaimed fund payouts, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of running us our money.
So, while rent and pizza slices keep going up, at least some unexpected cash might be waiting in your mailbox—or online.
👉 Check if you’re owed money here.