Checks Are Being Mailed To New York Doorsteps. Here's Why

Free money may sound too good to be true, but for some New Yorkers, it could be a reality. While consumers might not be getting any DOGE stimulus checks anytime soon, a 2024 change in New York state legislation made it easier than ever for the New York State Comptroller's Office to return unclaimed property – including money — directly to residents. Under these new rules, amounts of $250 or less can be automatically sent back to a rightful owner without the need for complicated paperwork or filed claims. Now, thousands of New Yorkers are opening their mailboxes to find unexpected checks, with most checks valued between $50 and $100.

This money come from sources such as old bank accounts, utility deposits, unclaimed tax refunds, court funds, and even stocks that residents may have forgotten about. By making the return process easier, New York has ensured that this money doesn't sit idle but instead goes back to its rightful owner. As of September 2025, the state comptroller's office has returned over $435 million in unclaimed property. 

Even if you don't live in New York, there's a chance the government is holding money that belongs to you. All states have unclaimed property programs but may have different rules and claim processes. A handful of states, including Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Vermont also have automatic return programs similar to New York, eliminating the need to deal with a complicated claims process.

To find out if you may have any idle money, you can visit your state's treasury or comptroller website and look for an unclaimed property page. You'll be prompted to fill out some information, and can initiate a claim. There are also platforms such as MissingMoney.com or the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators that can search on your behalf — something that can be especially helpful if you've lived in multiple states. With billions of unclaimed dollars sitting in state accounts, it can pay to check if you have some cash waiting for you. At the very least it may be the most convenient way to make some extra cash in under an hour.