If you live or do business in the Austin area, you could be standing on the brink of a financial surprise. According to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, $622.6 million of unclaimed property-part of a $10.5 billion reserve-belongs to 5.7 million residents, families, and businesses in the region.
What Is Unclaimed Property?
Unclaimed property is any money, asset, or right that has been left without a known owner for a period of time. In Texas, the Comptroller’s Office safeguards the funds, ensuring they stay in state custody until the rightful owner claims them.
How Much Is At Stake?
The state currently safeguards $10.5 billion. Of that, $622.6 million is tied to 5.7 million individuals, families, or businesses in the Austin area.
Why Now?
The Comptroller released a statement on Monday urging residents to search during the holiday season. “Every dollar in our Unclaimed Property program belongs to a Texan, not the government … This time of year, especially, even a small amount can make a meaningful difference for families. I encourage every household in the Austin area to take a moment to search – it’s simple, it’s secure and it just might put a little extra money back in your pocket for the holidays.”
How to Claim
Anyone can search for unclaimed property on ClaimItTexas.gov. Users can enter their name-or the names of family members, including maiden names or deceased relatives-into the search tool. If property is found, the site provides simple instructions to submit a claim. The service is free, secure, and available to all Texans, according to the Comptroller’s office.
A Personal Example
In a virtual interview with KXAN, Comptroller Kelly Hancock explained that the property could range from mineral rights to deposits. He shared a personal anecdote: “I mean, my son, for example – when it was announced, we just decided to look and my son had a deposit from an apartment he had in Dallas when he was going to school there.”
Additional Encouragement
Hancock added, “You may have a little time while you’re sitting at home – you know, get on your laptop while you’re watching – or listening to Christmas music,” he said. “This is a time where people have downtime, and so we really would like them to have their money back – and we want to do everything we can to help in that.”
Key Takeaways
- $622.6 million in unclaimed property tied to 5.7 million Austin-area residents, families, and businesses.
- The Comptroller’s Office safeguards $10.5 billion in total unclaimed assets.
- ClaimItTexas.gov offers a free, secure, and straightforward way to search and claim.
With the holiday season in full swing, the Comptroller’s message is clear: take a few minutes to check ClaimItTexas.gov and see if a forgotten deposit, mineral right, or other asset might be waiting for you. A small claim could add a meaningful boost to your holiday budget.
