The Missouri State Treasurer’s Office, led by Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, is taking significant steps to return Missouri Unclaimed Money to its rightful owners. In a recent initiative in partnership with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ (DOLIR) Division of Employment Security, the state is leveraging data to proactively contact citizens who may be owed money. This collaboration aims to streamline the process of returning missouri unclaimed money, particularly to those who have applied for unemployment benefits.
By cross-referencing DOLIR data with the state’s Unclaimed Property database, the Treasurer’s Office has been able to identify and reach out to over 88,000 Missourians. This proactive outreach, which began last week, has already resulted in over $186,000 of missouri unclaimed money being returned to nearly 2,300 residents. Many checks are already in the mail, putting money back in the hands of Missourians.
Treasurer Fitzpatrick emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Unclaimed Property is often unclaimed simply because contact information becomes outdated. As Treasurer, my priority is to utilize every available resource to return money to Missourians, especially as we continue to navigate the economic impact of events like COVID-19.” He further highlighted the efficiency gains from inter-agency cooperation: “I initially entered politics to improve government efficiency, and this partnership, sharing data with other state agencies to benefit Missourians, is a prime example of that. I commend my staff and the DOLIR team for their collaboration on this initiative.”
DOLIR Director Anna Hui echoed this sentiment, noting, “DOLIR is pleased to partner with Treasurer Fitzpatrick to deliver much-needed resources to individuals, especially during these challenging times for many Missouri families. Identifying and notifying individuals who have used Missouri’s unemployment system about potential missouri unclaimed money is not only beneficial during a time of need but perfectly exemplifies effective government action. This collaboration demonstrates how Governor Parson and Treasurer Fitzpatrick are leading state government to work more effectively for the people of Missouri.”
Missourians who receive a postcard, email, or phone call from the Unclaimed Property Division will need to file a claim to retrieve their funds. The Treasurer’s Office anticipates that this partnership could uncover hundreds of thousands of potential claims, representing tens of millions of dollars of missouri unclaimed money waiting to be returned.
This initiative builds upon previous successful efforts by Treasurer Fitzpatrick to return missouri unclaimed money. Last year, an automated system was launched in partnership with the Department of Social Services to match unclaimed property with past-due child support payments, successfully returning over $3 million to Missouri families.
It’s worth noting that approximately 1 in 10 Missourians has missouri unclaimed money, with the average return being around $300. Missouri residents can easily search for and claim their money online at ShowMeMoney.com. The Treasurer’s Office emphasizes that there are no charges associated with claiming missouri unclaimed money.
Since assuming office in 2019, Treasurer Fitzpatrick has achieved record-breaking results in returning missouri unclaimed money, including returning $1 million within his first 10 days, over $45 million in a single fiscal year, and returning money to more Missourians in one year than any previous treasurer.
Missourians are encouraged to visit ShowMeMoney.com to check if they have missouri unclaimed money waiting for them.
