BATON ROUGE, LA – Governor Jeff Landry has officially designated February 1, 2024, as Unclaimed Property Day in Louisiana, aligning with the National Unclaimed Property Day. The proclamation is in recognition and support of the Louisiana Treasury’s ongoing efforts to reunite residents with their unclaimed assets.
Unclaimed Property Day draws attention to the state’s commitment to returning unclaimed financial assets to their rightful owners. Louisiana Treasury, responsible for overseeing unclaimed property in the state, emphasizes that unclaimed property refers to money rather than physical assets. This includes a variety of financial assets such as unpaid life insurance benefits, dormant bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, stock dividends, and utility deposit refunds. The governor’s proclamation highlights the importance of this initiative in reuniting citizens with their lost financial resources.
As of now, there is over $1.2 billion in unclaimed property awaiting rightful claimants, with $759 million already returned through 1.5 million checks over the past five decades since the inception of Louisiana’s Unclaimed Property program. On average, one in six Louisianans has unclaimed property, and the typical claim amounts to approximately $900.
Unclaimed property becomes part of the Treasury’s program when the original owners cannot be located, often due to outdated contact information. Treasurer John Fleming, MD, emphasized, “Whether it’s a forgotten paycheck from several years ago or a long-lost life insurance policy from a decade past, this is your money and you never lose your right to claim it.”
Residents are encouraged to check LaCashClaim.org not only for their names but also for the names of their family members, deceased relatives, businesses, organizations, and churches. Additionally, the LA Wallet app allows users to search for their funds directly from their smartphones, offering a convenient way to access information.
Treasurer Fleming underscored that there is no cost associated with searching for or claiming unclaimed property. “No matter which way you choose, it’s free and easy to make a claim. And it’s your money,” he stated, reinforcing the commitment to facilitating a straightforward process for individuals to reclaim their assets.
