I Thought I Had No Unclaimed Funds—Then I Found $500

As a CPA, I assumed I had all checks deposited and online cash accounts (Paypal, online bank accounts) squared away. No loose ends. No surprises.

So when I was looking at the changes in Ohio’s newly passed biennial budget bill, and saw the changes related to unclaimed funds, I figured what’s it hurt. It’s free and takes 2 minutes, and I wasn’t going to find anything. There it was: over $500 in unclaimed funds sitting there in my name.

I had no idea.

Here’s Why This Matters Right Now

Ohio’s newly passed biennial budget bill includes a lot of big-ticket changes, like the move to a flat income tax starting in 2026. But one lesser-known provision in the bill is about to change how unclaimed funds are handled—and it could mean losing access to money that’s rightfully yours.

Previously, unclaimed funds (things like forgotten paychecks, dormant accounts, utility deposits, or refunds) were held indefinitely by the state. Now, under the new law, if those funds sit unclaimed for more than 10 years, they’ll be permanently taken by the state and moved into a special fund: the Ohio Cultural and Sports Facility Performance Grant Fund.

That fund is already being tapped to help finance capital projects—like a proposed $600 million investment into the new Cleveland Browns stadium.

So What Are Unclaimed Funds?

They’re usually small amounts that slip through the cracks:

• An old refund check from a utility company
• A bank account you forgot to close
• A reimbursement from an insurance provider
• A last paycheck from a job years ago
• Vendor or client overpayments

In Ohio, businesses are required to turn these over to the Department of Commerce. But unless you claim them, they just… sit there. Until now, there was no deadline. With the new law, anything over 10 years old could soon disappear into a public infrastructure project.

Check Now—It’s Free and Takes Just Minutes

If you haven’t already, take a minute and search for yourself or your family members:

🔍 Ohio Unclaimed Funds Lookup:
https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/unclaimed-funds

🌐Lived in other states too? Check here:
https://missingmoney.com/

This is one of those five-minute to-dos that can actually put cash back in your pocket. In my case, it was over $500—and it took less than two minutes to find.

The Bigger Picture

This change is part of Ohio’s broader budget strategy, but it has real individual consequences. Unclaimed funds are still yours—until they’re not. Once that 10-year clock runs out, the state can permanently reallocate your money.

Regardless of how you feel about it going to stadiums or cultural sites, the message is clear: don’t wait.

Final Thought

Even if you're sure you’re in the clear, check anyway. I was sure too—and I’m glad I looked.

And if you do find something and have questions about whether it’s taxable, how to claim it, or how it might fit into your broader financial plan, feel free to reach out. I'm happy to help.