Unexpected $250 checks are being mailed to households in this US state
- Replies 0
Tens of thousands of Americans are receiving unexpected payments worth up to $250, with checks being mailed automatically to residents in New York.
The money comes from a pool of more than $13 billion in lost funds, which the state is working to return to rightful owners.
Unclaimed property includes things like uncashed paychecks, unused gift cards, insurance payouts, or forgotten bank accounts. Thanks to a new law, smaller amounts are now being sent without requiring residents to file claims.
Previously, New Yorkers had to manually request their money through the state comptroller’s office, which often left millions unclaimed for years.
Under the updated system, payments worth $250 or less are mailed automatically, helping residents receive money they may not have even known was theirs.
Around 70,000 people have already benefited this year, with the state returning $5.4 million so far.
According to Syracuse.com, roughly 50% of the mailed checks have already been cashed, while about 16% were undeliverable.
Most payments have fallen between $50 and $100, though some have reached the maximum of $250.
Staten Island alone accounts for $139 million of the state’s total unclaimed funds, with more than 232,000 residents, businesses, and organizations listed as being owed money.
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office is responsible for returning these funds, and officials report sending more than $2 million back to New Yorkers every day. In 2025 alone, over $435 million has already been distributed to rightful owners.
Officials caution residents to be aware of scams, as some people may impersonate government workers offering to release funds in exchange for personal details or fees.
Also read: Heads up! Your state could be sending you an automatic surprise $1,000 check—here’s who qualifies
The comptroller’s office emphasizes that there is no cost to receive unclaimed money, and checks under $250 will be sent automatically.
For amounts greater than $250, individuals must still file claims directly with the official state website to verify eligibility. “Our goal with this program is to return people’s money,” said spokesperson Jennifer Freeman.
Other states are also experimenting with similar “surprise check” programs that automatically distribute unclaimed funds.
In some places, residents have received as much as $500 or even $1,000 without needing to apply.
Also read: Could you have hidden cash waiting for you? How one woman found $180,000 on a little-known site—here’s what you need to know!
These efforts reflect a broader push across the country to streamline the return of billions of dollars in abandoned property.
Whether through automatic payments or claim-based systems, officials urge residents to regularly check state databases to see if money is waiting for them.
Read next: Are you missing out? 15 legitimate ways to claim free money from the government
Do you think more states should follow New York’s lead and automatically mail smaller unclaimed funds, or should residents always be required to file claims themselves? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know if you’ve ever received surprise money like this before.
The money comes from a pool of more than $13 billion in lost funds, which the state is working to return to rightful owners.
Unclaimed property includes things like uncashed paychecks, unused gift cards, insurance payouts, or forgotten bank accounts. Thanks to a new law, smaller amounts are now being sent without requiring residents to file claims.
Previously, New Yorkers had to manually request their money through the state comptroller’s office, which often left millions unclaimed for years.
Under the updated system, payments worth $250 or less are mailed automatically, helping residents receive money they may not have even known was theirs.
Around 70,000 people have already benefited this year, with the state returning $5.4 million so far.
According to Syracuse.com, roughly 50% of the mailed checks have already been cashed, while about 16% were undeliverable.
Unexpected $250 checks are being mailed to households in this US state. Image source: Money Knack / Unsplash
Most payments have fallen between $50 and $100, though some have reached the maximum of $250.
Staten Island alone accounts for $139 million of the state’s total unclaimed funds, with more than 232,000 residents, businesses, and organizations listed as being owed money.
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office is responsible for returning these funds, and officials report sending more than $2 million back to New Yorkers every day. In 2025 alone, over $435 million has already been distributed to rightful owners.
Officials caution residents to be aware of scams, as some people may impersonate government workers offering to release funds in exchange for personal details or fees.
Also read: Heads up! Your state could be sending you an automatic surprise $1,000 check—here’s who qualifies
The comptroller’s office emphasizes that there is no cost to receive unclaimed money, and checks under $250 will be sent automatically.
For amounts greater than $250, individuals must still file claims directly with the official state website to verify eligibility. “Our goal with this program is to return people’s money,” said spokesperson Jennifer Freeman.
Other states are also experimenting with similar “surprise check” programs that automatically distribute unclaimed funds.
In some places, residents have received as much as $500 or even $1,000 without needing to apply.
Also read: Could you have hidden cash waiting for you? How one woman found $180,000 on a little-known site—here’s what you need to know!
These efforts reflect a broader push across the country to streamline the return of billions of dollars in abandoned property.
Whether through automatic payments or claim-based systems, officials urge residents to regularly check state databases to see if money is waiting for them.
Read next: Are you missing out? 15 legitimate ways to claim free money from the government
