Steps To Help You Reclaim Found Money

By Frank Cole


You have just discovered that you have some unclaimed cash owed by the state or federal government and are already feeling a little richer. Once you find the lost cash, however, it is important that you feel great while taking the necessary steps to claim it from the state or federal government into your hands. Read on to discover exactly how you can reclaim found money.

The process for recovering unclaimed cash usually differs in every state. In other words, forget about a one-size-fits-all solution to reclaiming your cash. The first step, therefore, should take you to the ideal website where details about the cash lie. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators runs a website with links to other sites in different states where you can go make your claim for the uncollected cash in your name.

Now that you know the exact website from where you can claim for unclaimed cash in your name, the next step is getting ready to verify your identity. In other words, you will need to get your documents ready for this process. Usually, different states have different requirements for claiming this cash. However, essential documents may include your ID, which was issued by the state and IRS form.

Furthermore, the majority of states will still need you to prove the address related to the property to which you are placing your claim. Utility bills are the easiest form of proof to provide. You should also prove your current address. In essence, your state wants to know your full identity plus address to confirm that you are the legitimate owner of the missing cash.

With the right website and documents in order, filing the claim is the next part. This is probably the most thrilling part of all. To make sure that you are not carried away in excitement, consider reading the claim instructions carefully, so you do not miss out on any detail. When submitting the documents, for instance, some states do not recognize any electronic submissions. Others allow it if you meet specified conditions.

Once you have found the missing cash and submitted your documents either through snail mail or online, you can now wait for the check to arrive. This, unfortunately, varies widely according to the state. Some states only take two weeks from the time you filed the claim, while others may take more than six months. In some cases, you may not know the amount you will get until the check arrives.

Many people still do not know how to check if they are benefactors to missing cash. In case your name does not appear after running a search with the search engine of NAUPA, consider using other sites that may have links to your state. Be sure to confirm with every state you have lived in over the years.

Make your search wider by including other names. Many potential beneficiaries of monies owed to parents are unaware of it because they only search their name. Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service is another place where your money could be hiding as unclaimed tax refunds.




About the Author: