Missouri, Kansas owe residents millions in unclaimed property. Here’s how to claim yours
Do the states of Missouri or Kansas owe you money? It’s more likely than you might think.
Every year, state treasurers’ offices collect millions of dollars in unclaimed property. This can include payroll checks, tax returns, insurance proceeds and the contents of safe deposit boxes and closed bank accounts.
In Missouri, an estimated one in 10 residents is owed money by the state, with the average return totaling around $300. In Kansas, the state owes residents a total of over $346 million — nearly $120 per each person in the state’s population.
You don’t need to be a current resident of Missouri or Kansas to search their unclaimed property records, and there is no time limit to claim property the state is holding onto.
Here’s how to find out whether either state owes you money, and how to claim it for free.
How do I claim my missing money in Missouri?
The state of Missouri owes its residents over $1 billion, according to state treasurer Vivek Malek’s unclaimed property website. The hefty sum has earned the unclaimed property program the nickname “Missouri’s Largest Lost and Found.”
In order to see if Missouri is holding onto your unclaimed property, simply enter your name, a business name or a property ID number into the state’s online Unclaimed Property Search Portal. You can perform a name-based search using only a last name.
If there are any results that match your search, they will appear in a table showing a property ID number, the property owner’s name, their full address and the amount of the property. If the amount is larger than $50, the table will simply list it as “Over $50.”
If you see a property listing with your name and a current or former address you recognize, click the “Add” button to add it to your virtual “cart.” You can then create a claim for the property by entering your contact information and some identifying details like your Social Security number and date of birth.
Searching for and claiming your unclaimed property is free in Missouri.
You can file a property claim for yourself or another person by stating your relationship to them. For example, you can file a claim for a deceased person’s property if you are the heir to their estate.
You don’t need to create an account in order to file a claim, but doing so will allow you to log back in later and track your claim’s progress. The website does not provide a time frame for receiving your property.
How do I claim my missing money in Kansas?
Kansas owes Johnson County residents over $67 million, and Wyandotte County residents over $22 million. The state doesn’t charge anything for searching or claiming this missing money.
Search for unclaimed property in Kansas by entering a last name, business name or property ID into the state’s online unclaimed property search page. You can also make a name search more specific by adding a first name, address or ZIP code.
The search results in Kansas contain slightly more information than in Missouri: They list details like the property type and its holder, which can include an insurance company, a bank, a utility company or a business. The claim amount is listed as only “Under $100” or “Over $100.”
If you find a claim you think is yours, choose the “Claim” button on the listing and select “Continue to File Claim” at the bottom of the page. Then, follow the steps to file a claim for the property online.
You should receive a Claim ID number when you file, which will allow you to look up the status of your claim in the future. The claim review process can take up to 90 days, and department staff will contact you if they need additional information or documents.
Do you have more questions about unclaimed property in Missouri or Kansas? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
