Treasurer Fitzpatrick and DOLIR Partnership Returns almost $600,000 to Missourians in One Month

Jefferson City, MO—In October, Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ (DOLIR’s) Division of Employment Security partnered to return Unclaimed Property to Missourians who have applied for unemployment benefits. In just one month, this initiative has returned $593,174.55, representing 3,967 accounts. The largest payment was over $36,000.

By cross-referencing DOLIR’s data with the Unclaimed Property database, the Treasurer’s Office is able to conduct proactive outreach more successfully. Over the past month, the Unclaimed Property Division has contacted 100,000 Missourians via email, postcards, and phone calls.

“As we enter the holiday season, while weathering the impact of COVID-19, I know that every dollar counts for Missourians across the state—and that’s why it is a priority to use as many resources as possible to return unclaimed property to rightful owners. This is an example of good government working for the people,” Treasurer Fitzpatrick said. “I encourage all Missourians to search the unclaimed property list—and that includes non-profits and businesses, too.”

Those who receive outreach in the form of a postcard, email, or phone call will have to submit a claim for their unclaimed property. The Treasurer’s Office anticipates the number of matches generated by this partnership is likely in excess of a hundred thousand claims representing tens of millions of dollars that could be returned to Missourians who need it.

Last year, Treasurer Fitzpatrick worked with the Department of Social Services to launch an automated system that matches unclaimed property with past-due child support. This new system has returned more than $3.5 million in past-due child support payments to Missouri families.

1 in 10 Missourians has unclaimed property and the average return is $300. Missourians can search and claim online at ShowMeMoney.com. The Treasurer’s Office does not charge to return unclaimed property.

Since taking office in 2019, Treasurer Fitzpatrick has broken three unclaimed property records, returning the first $1 million of his administration in less than 10 days, returning over $45 million in one fiscal year, and returning unclaimed property to more Missourians in one year than any prior treasurer.