Louisiana Has About $1 Billion Sitting Unclaimed — Here’s How to See If Any of It Is Yours

Did you know the State of Louisiana is holding over $1 billion in unclaimed money for residents, businesses, and even people who have moved away? It’s true — and according to the Louisiana State Treasurer, 1 in 6 Louisianans has unclaimed property waiting to be claimed.

           

If you’ve ever moved, changed jobs, switched banks, or even received a refund check you forgot to cash… there’s a real chance the state is holding something with your name on it.

And checking takes less than 60 seconds.

https://unclaimedproperty.la.gov/

What Counts as “Unclaimed Property”?

People hear the phrase and assume it’s land or houses — but that’s not what this program is.

Louisiana’s unclaimed property typically includes:

• Uncashed refund checks

• Utility deposits

• Dormant bank accounts

• Insurance payouts

• Payroll checks

• Royalties or dividends

• Tax refunds that never made it to your mailbox

The state does not hold real estate or vehicles under this program.

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Why So Many People Have Unclaimed Money

A lot of this money comes from simple situations — things like:

• Moving without updating your address

• A check being mailed to the wrong place

• Changing employers

• Closing a bank account and forgetting a small balance

• Not claiming a tax refund

• A business sending you money that gets returned as undeliverable

It doesn’t matter if the amount is $8 or $8,000 — if it’s yours, the state is required to hold onto it until you claim it.

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How to Check If You Have Unclaimed Property

Louisiana makes it very simple. You can search two ways:

Option 1: Use the Official Website

Visit the Louisiana Treasury’s unclaimed property search and type in your name. The search is instant and free.

https://unclaimedproperty.la.gov/app/claim-search

Option 2: Check Through the LA Wallet App

If you use LA Wallet, there’s a built-in feature that links directly to the state’s database.

This is especially convenient because the app already verifies your identity.

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What If You Received a Letter From the Department of Revenue?

Sometimes, unclaimed tax refunds are transferred to the unclaimed property division. If LDR sends you a notice, you can claim it through their system (LaTAP) or via a voucher they provide.

Louisiana recently announced that millions in tax refunds will soon be moved to unclaimed property if taxpayers don’t claim them. So if you get a letter—don’t ignore it.

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How to File a Claim

If you find something under your name:

1. Start a claim on the website or through LA Wallet

2. Verify your identity

3. Submit documentation if requested

4. Receive your check once approved

The process is 100% free — the Treasurer’s Office warns against any service that tries to charge you to “recover” your money.

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Why You Should Check Every Year (Especially Right Now)

Between tax refunds, insurance payouts, and old employer checks, new unclaimed property is added constantly. It makes sense to check at least once a year, and especially if you’ve changed addresses or jobs recently.

Plus, with the recent government shutdown, tax delays, and state-level processing backlogs, there’s an even higher chance refunds or payments were re-routed into the unclaimed property system.

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Final Thought

It’s rare that the government tells you, “Hey, we owe you money.” But that’s exactly what this program is.

Take 60 seconds to check for yourself, your business name, and even past addresses — you might be surprised what shows up.

https://unclaimedproperty.la.gov/app/claim-search