Countywide Plan to Connect Households with Unclaimed Funds Pays Off
A cooperative effort between the Westchester County Board of Legislators, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, and New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli helped Westchester residents recover nearly $5 million in unclaimed funds between August and December 2024.
Last August, the County sent letters to more than 60,000 Westchester households that the Comptroller confirmed had one or more individuals with unclaimed funds. These funds often result from dormant accounts associated with banks, corporations, insurance companies, and the courts. They might include uncashed paychecks, missed reimbursements, or other financial assets that have yet to reach their intended recipients, particularly if they’ve moved or simply lost track of unopened mail.
The letters, along with six in-person, facilitative workshops held from Yonkers to Somers, were instrumental in helping County residents successfully claim a collective $4.67 million that was rightfully theirs. (You can claim yours from the State at no cost. Search for whether you have unclaimed funds here.)
Board Chair Vedat Gashi (D- New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said, “This initiative has reunited Westchester residents with nearly $5 million of their own money. It’s a perfect example of how government should work – cutting through red tape to deliver real results for the people we serve.”
Legislator David Imamura (D- Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Edgemont, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington), who sparked the larger initiative after launching a mailer-and-workshop campaign within his district in late 2023, said, “I am thrilled that Westchester County is playing a part in getting County residents their money back. It’s their money, and they deserve it.”
County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “We’re incredibly grateful to New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli for not only spearheading this vital program, but for all the work he does every day to protect New Yorkers’ financial interests. Thanks to his partnership and the dedication of the Board of Legislators we were able to connect thousands of Westchester families with money that was rightfully theirs. This is government at its best—working together to deliver real value to the people we serve.”
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said, “One of the best parts of my job is reuniting New Yorkers with their lost money. My office safeguards over $19 billion dollars in unclaimed funds and works hard every day to return money to its rightful owners. Thanks to County Executive Ken Jenkins, Board Chair Vedat Gashi and the entire County Board of Legislators, we were able to put nearly $5 million back into the pockets of Westchester residents in just five months. Their partnership in this effort shows how much we can accomplish when state and local governments work together on behalf of New Yorkers.”
Dollar amounts can vary, with one recipient claiming in excess of $100,000. In November 2024, legislation proposed by DiNapoli was signed into law enabling his office to expedite certain payments of $250 or less without requiring claim submissions. All Westchester residents should visit the search portal today and contact either the Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds or their County legislator with any questions.
