By Marina Wagner, Building Kentucky
Kentucky is celebrating its first-ever Unclaimed Property Week, putting a statewide spotlight on the nearly $1.2 billion in unclaimed property waiting to be reunited with its rightful owners.
The Kentucky General Assembly established the fourth week of September as Unclaimed Property Week during the 2026 legislative session. House Bill 456, sponsored by Rep. Chris Freeland of Benton and Rep. George Brown Jr. of Lexington, passed unanimously and was signed into law earlier this year.
The new annual recognition is intended to increase awareness of Kentucky’s unclaimed property program and encourage more Kentuckians to check whether they have money or assets waiting to be claimed.
Earlier this year, Building Kentucky took a closer look at how unclaimed property works and why money can end up in the hands of the state. In Kentucky, unclaimed property can include forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, utility refunds, stocks and safe deposit box contents.
The Kentucky State Treasurer’s Office safeguards those assets until they can be returned to their rightful owners.
Unclaimed Property Week gives Kentuckians another reason to take a few minutes to search — not only their own names, but also previous names, businesses and family members whose property they may be eligible to claim.
As Kentucky celebrates its first-ever Unclaimed Property Week, Kentuckians are encouraged to take a few minutes to see if they have money waiting to be claimed.
The Kentucky State Treasurer’s Office offers a free online search tool where individuals can search for unclaimed property belonging to themselves, their families or their businesses.
Think you might have money waiting? Search Kentucky’s Unclaimed Property database at kyclaims.unclaimedproperty.com.
