If you’ve spotted an unexpected check in your mailbox for up to $250, you’re not alone — this isn’t a new stimulus payment, but a result of recently updated unclaimed funds laws.
In particular, New York State has implemented a streamlined process to return money owed to residents without requiring them to apply for it. Here’s everything you need to know about the surprise payments, what qualifies, and how to check if you’re owed money.
What’s Behind the Surprise Payment?
- A new state law in New York allows the Office of the State Comptroller (Thomas P. DiNapoli) to automatically mail checks worth $250 or less to residents identified as owners of unclaimed property.
- Before this change, residents had to actively file a claim to retrieve even small amounts. Now, for amounts $250 or less, the process is automatic — no action needed from the recipient.
How Much Has Been Distributed So Far?
| Metric | Value/Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of checks sent (2025) | ~70,000 |
| Total amount distributed (2025) | $5.4 million |
| Typical check amount range | $50 to $100, up to $250 |
| Daily unclaimed funds returned | $2 million per day |
| Total unclaimed money held by state | Over $20 billion (some reports say $13 billion pool) |
| Portion of checks undeliverable | 16% |
| Portion of mailed checks cashed | 50% |
Where Does the Money Come From?
Unclaimed funds include money from:
- Forgotten bank accounts
- Uncashed checks
- Unused gift cards
- Insurance payouts, dividends, inactive utility deposits
This money gets reported to the state after being inactive for a legally defined period. The state holds it until a rightful owner claims it — or, with this new law, until it’s automatically sent if it’s $250 or less.
Why Is This Happening?
- The state now automatically returns small dollar amounts to eliminate red tape and help reunite residents with money they may not even know they’re owed.
- The law took effect in 2025, meaning only properties newly reported in 2025 onwards are eligible for automatic mailing of checks under $250. Properties reported before this still require manual claims
- This change is part of a broader effort to make unclaimed funds more accessible and to lower administrative barriers — especially for smaller sums.
Who Can Get a Check — Automatically?
Check eligibility criteria:
- You must be the verified owner of unclaimed funds $250 or less.
- The funds must have been reported in 2025 or later.
- Your address must be verifiable by state records — undeliverable checks (16%) reflect address mismatches.
How to Check If You’re Owed Money
- Visit the New York State Comptroller’s Unclaimed Funds website.
- Search your name — try alternate spellings or include relatives (e.g., deceased parents/grandparents) because some funds date back decades.
- If there’s an unclaimed amount over $250, you’ll need to file a claim manually using the online portal. If $250 or less, the check may already be in the mail.
Avoiding Scams
- The program charges no fees — if anyone contacts you demanding a fee to get this money, it’s a scam.
- You can verify any check or notification by cross-checking with the official Comptroller’s website.
- Never share sensitive data like full Social Security numbers unless you’re confirming your claim on an official site.
That “$250 stimulus check” hitting mailboxes isn’t a stimulus at all — it’s your forgotten money finally coming back to you. Under a newly passed law in New York, residents are automatically receiving checks for unclaimed funds of $250 or less.
In 2025 alone, more than $5.4 million has already been returned to over 70,000 people, with roughly $2 million distributed daily. If you haven’t seen money yet, check the Comptroller’s unclaimed funds database — you might be next.
FAQs
Why am I getting a check when I never applied?
Thanks to recent law changes in New York, unclaimed property of $250 or less can now be automatically mailed to you — no claim needed.
What should I do if I find a check in the mail?
Check the letterhead to confirm it’s from the New York State Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds. If it matches, cash it promptly, as this is legitimate money owed to you.
What about money over $250?
You’ll need to manually file a claim through the Comptroller’s online portal. There is no fee, but you may need to provide documentation proving your identity.
