More than 100,000 Pennsylvanians will soon find unexpected money in their mailboxes as the state begins distributing the latest round of unclaimed property payments through its Money Match program.
According to Stacy Garrity, a new batch of checks totaling nearly $23 million has been printed and is now being mailed to residents across the commonwealth. The payments represent unclaimed property that the state is able to return automatically without requiring recipients to file a claim.
The Money Match initiative allows the Pennsylvania Treasury to issue payments of up to $500 to a single verified owner. The program, launched under Act 81 of 2024, was approved unanimously by state lawmakers and is designed to streamline the process of returning smaller amounts of unclaimed property.
State officials say the effort builds on a strong first year. In 2025, more than $50 million was returned to residents through the program, and the latest round of checks continues that momentum.
Unclaimed property can come from a variety of sources, including dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten stocks, rebates and insurance policies. In some cases, it may also include tangible items such as the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes. Treasury officials estimate that more than one in ten Pennsylvanians is owed a portion of the roughly $5 billion currently held by the state.
While the Money Match program simplifies the return process for smaller amounts, not all claims qualify. Property valued above $500, involving multiple owners, or presenting other complexities, still requires individuals to file a formal claim and provide supporting documentation.
Treasury officials are encouraging residents to watch their mail closely and deposit or cash any legitimate Money Match checks they receive. They also stress the importance of continuing to search for additional unclaimed property, as many claims fall outside the automatic return criteria.
Residents can check if they are owed additional funds by visiting the state’s unclaimed property database at: patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property
Anyone who believes they may have received a check in error is advised to contact the Treasury Department for verification and assistance.
Source: patreasury.gov