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.”
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.
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.
“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.