See our frequently asked questions for answers that may address your situation right away.

If you still have a question, contact us by completing the form below.

How much is my claim?

To protect your privacy and prevent fraud, we can’t tell you the amount of your claim until we receive and confirm your proof of ownership. All items that appear online are at least $20 or one share of stock.

Once your claim is approved, we’ll email you the payment details, including the amount, and your check will be mailed to the address provided on your claim form within 30 days.

What is the status of my claim?

You can check the status of your claim online throughout the process by entering the seven-digit Claim ID referenced in your confirmation email. 

Note that our call center representatives do not have any more information about your claim than what’s included in your status or correspondence from us, and cannot provide you with the dollar amount. 

Where do I find my Claim ID?

If you submitted your claim:

• Online: You would have received an email from us with your Claim ID. Check your junk or spam folder if you can’t find it.
• By mail: You would have received an email (or letter if you did not provide an email address) from us with your Claim ID within 30 days. The Claim ID is referenced at the top of the email and in the upper right-hand corner of the letter. Use your Claim ID to check the status of your claim.

If you didn't receive an email or letter, or lost your Claim ID, complete our contact form.

How do I start a claim?

See How to Search and Claim Property.

How do I start a claim for deceased person?

See Claims for Deceased Owners and Estates.

When will I receive my payment?

For general timeframes, see Claim Submitted—What’s Next? 

Do you send out letters to owners of unclaimed funds?

Yes. We send out letters to owners of newly reported unclaimed funds. If you received a letter from us:

• Go to Search for Unclaimed Property
• Search by the Property ID found in the letter (or search by your last name and first name as they’re spelled exactly on the letter)
• Select the Claim button next to your name
• Select the Continue to File button at the top or bottom of the table
• Follow the prompts on the next pages to submit your claim

What are Unclaimed Funds?

Payments, credits, gift cards, refunds, account balances and more, that have been issued and have gone unclaimed for a specified amount of time (Dormancy Period). Each type of unclaimed property has its own dormancy period (Property Type Table).

See Glossary for definition of Abandoned or Unclaimed Property.

For more details on Unclaimed Funds

NYS Abandoned Property Law

How do I prove an old address?

See Required Documentation for acceptable forms of proof.

Helpful tip: Many people submit tax records such as W-2's and 1099's showing an old address.

If you can't provide proof, include an explanation in writing along with any other requested documents when uploading your claim documentation. We'll respond with detailed instructions.

Why did I receive a check?

At times, the Comptroller's Office will mail checks to owners without needing to submit a claim if the account meets certain validation criteria. See About Unclaimed Funds for more information. A description of where the unclaimed funds came from is included on the remittance advice section of the check. If you require additional information, reach out to us through our Contact Us page.

What should I do if a check or letter has the wrong information or is for a deceased person?

If you received a check or letter with an incorrect name or address—or if the check was issued to a deceased person—please complete the contact form below to notify our office.

• Incorrect Name: Request that the check be reissued with the correct name.
• Incorrect Address: Request that the check be issued to your current address. Please refer to our Required Documentation section for acceptable forms of proof of address.
• Deceased Person: Notify us so the check can be voided. Depending on your relationship to the deceased, you may be eligible to claim the funds. See Claims for Deceased Owners and Estates for more information.

Other Ways to Reach Us

Call

1-800-221-9311 or (518) 270-2200
Monday through Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Write

Office of the State Comptroller
Office of Unclaimed Funds
110 State St.
Albany, New York 12236

Fax

(518) 270-2222