At a Glance
- $10.5B unclaimed property statewide; $622.6M belongs to Austin area
- 5.7 million Austin residents and businesses could have unclaimed assets
- Comptroller Kelly Hancock urges holiday search for extra funds
- Why it matters: Unclaimed property could give families extra money during the holidays.
Austin residents and business owners are urged to check Texas’s unclaimed property database, which holds $10.5 billion, including $622.6 million that may belong to 5.7 million locals.
Why It Matters
Comptroller Kelly Hancock said the program belongs to Texans, not the government, and that even a small amount can make a meaningful difference for families during the holidays.
Kelly Hancock stated:
> “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.”
He added that unclaimed property can range from mineral rights to deposits. For example, his son discovered a deposit from an apartment he owned in Dallas when he was in school.
Kelly Hancock added:
> “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.”
How to Search
Anyone can search for unclaimed property on ClaimItTexas.gov. The process is free, secure, and available to all Texans.
- Enter your name or family members’ names, including maiden names or deceased relatives
- If property is found, follow the site’s instructions to submit a claim
- The service is free and secure
Kelly Hancock encouraged people to use their downtime at home to search:
> “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,” Hancock said. “This is a time where people have downtime and so we really would like them to have the money back – and we want to do everything we can to help in that.”
Key Takeaways
- $10.5 billion of unclaimed property is safeguarded statewide
- $622.6 million may belong to 5.7 million Austin residents and businesses
- Search is free, secure, and could add holiday cash to your pocket
The Comptroller’s message reminds Austiners that a simple online search could bring back money that’s been waiting for them all year.
