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Thousands of Pennsylvanians will receive surprise checks from the state. Here’s why

Dreamstime/TNS

Thousands of Pennsylvanians will receive surprise checks from the state. Here’s why

More than 8,000 Pennsylvanians will soon receive checks as the state rolls out its first-ever “automatic unclaimed property return program.”

State Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced on Jan. 28 that the “ Money Match ” initiative would automatically transfer unclaimed money to Pennsylvania residents. According to the Treasury’s website, the initiative has now become a law, supported unanimously by the General Assembly and signed by the governor.

“My team and I are working to return more than $4.5 billion dollars in unclaimed property,” Ms. Garrity said in short video. “Now, thanks to a law called Pennsylvania Money Match, some of this money can be returned to Pennsylvanians automatically.”

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Unclaimed property includes things like “old bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, insurance payments, and rebates,” the Treasury states that one in 10 Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property that needs to be claimed.

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In a press release, Ms. Garrity stated that the first batch of letters would be sent out shortly as Feb. 1 is “Unclaimed Property Day.”

“This Saturday is National Unclaimed Property Day, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by sending out the first Money Match letters,” Ms. Garrity said. “But even if you don’t get a letter, it’s still easy to see if you have any unclaimed property available! Just visit our website and search for your name.”

If you have unclaimed property, you’ll receive a letter in the mail notifying you, and Pa. residents can expect a check within 30-45 days of receiving the letter. This is expected to be an ongoing effort, and the Treasury will send out three batches of checks and letters in 2025.

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“This will be an ongoing effort,” Ms. Garrity said. " This money doesn’t belong to the state. It belongs to Pennsylvania families, and I want to get it back to them!”

First Published: January 30, 2025, 9:18 p.m.
Updated: January 31, 2025, 12:26 a.m.

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