Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Kentucky: How to Find and Claim Your Money

If you’ve ever paid a utility deposit for electric, gas, water, internet, or placed money in an escrow account (often for rent or a mortgage), you may still have money owed to you—especially if you moved, changed providers, or closed an account in Kentucky.

This guide explains, in plain English, how unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds usually work in Kentucky and what steps people typically take to find and claim what they are owed through official channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site. It is not a government office, not a utility company, and not a place where you can file a claim. This article is meant to help you understand the process so you can work directly with the official Kentucky agencies and companies that handle unclaimed funds.

What Are Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds?

Utility deposits

Many Kentucky utility companies require a security deposit when you start service, for example:

• Electric or gas service
• Water or sewer
• Phone, internet, or cable
• Some municipal utilities

Normally, this deposit is:

• Refunded when you close the account and have no balance due, or
• Applied to your final bill, with any leftover refunded

These refunds are often sent by check to your last known address. If the check is not cashed or is returned as undeliverable, and the company cannot reach you, the money may eventually be turned over to the Kentucky State Treasury as unclaimed property.

Escrow funds

In Kentucky, “escrow” funds related to consumers usually involve:

• Mortgage escrow accounts (for property taxes and homeowners insurance)
• Landlord-tenant security deposits (often held in a separate account)
• Occasionally, legal settlements or other funds held temporarily by a third party

If the escrow holder (such as a bank, mortgage servicer, or landlord) cannot reach you, your unclaimed balance may also be reported and turned over to the Kentucky State Treasury after a certain period.

Who Usually Handles Unclaimed Money in Kentucky?

For most people, unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds in Kentucky are eventually handled by the Kentucky State Treasury’s unclaimed property division.

Typical flow:

1. You pay a deposit or escrow to a business or landlord.
2. You close the account, move, pay off a loan, or otherwise stop using the service.
3. The business tries to refund you, but cannot reach you or you never cash the check.
4. After a legally required waiting period, the funds are reported and sent to the state as unclaimed property.
5. The Kentucky State Treasury holds the money until the rightful owner (or heir) files a claim.

You do not lose ownership just because the money is turned over to the state, but you must file a claim to get it back.

Step 1: Check With the Original Company or Landlord

Before going straight to the state, many people start by contacting the original holder of the funds.

When this can help

This step can be useful if:

• You recently closed a utility account or moved.
• A landlord still holds your rental deposit or did not clearly explain deductions.
• You believe a mortgage escrow surplus should have been refunded.

Who to contact

You can:

• Call the customer service number on your old utility bills.
• Contact your former landlord or property manager in writing (email or letter).
• Call your mortgage company or loan servicer and ask about escrow balances.
• If applicable, check with the city or county utility office if you used local services.

Ask whether:

• A deposit refund or escrow refund was issued.
• A check was mailed (and to what address and date).
• The funds have already been turned over to the Kentucky State Treasury.

If they confirm that the funds were escheated (turned over to the state), your next step is usually to search with the Kentucky Treasury.

Step 2: Search for Unclaimed Property in Kentucky

How the search usually works

Kentucky typically provides an online search tool for unclaimed property on the Kentucky State Treasury website. You can also contact the Treasury office by phone or mail if you prefer not to search online.

You can usually search by:

• Your full name (try maiden and married names if applicable)
• Previous last names
• Possible business names you used
• Sometimes by address or city

To find the correct site or phone number:

• Search online for the Kentucky State Treasury unclaimed property division, or
• Call Kentucky’s state government information line or check an official state directory.

What to look for

Entries may be listed under:

• Your first and last name
• A co-owner or spouse’s name
• A business name if the utility was in a company’s name

The description may say things like:

• “Utility deposit”
• “Customer credit balance”
• “Escrow account”
• “Security deposit” or “Deposit – other”

Write down or print:

• The property ID number
• The reported owner name
• The holder name (e.g., the utility company or bank)
• The reported amount (if shown)

You’ll typically need this information to file a claim.

Step 3: Filing a Claim for Unclaimed Utility or Escrow Funds

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot file claims for you. To claim money, you need to work directly through the Kentucky State Treasury or the official office that holds the funds.

Typical claim methods

Kentucky commonly offers one or more of the following:

1. Online claim form through the official unclaimed property portal
2. Printable claim form you mail in with copies of documents
3. In some cases, in-person assistance at the Treasury’s office or outreach events

Instructions are usually provided on the official state site. Check that the website address ends with a “.gov” and is clearly labeled as a Kentucky government site.

Documents You May Need to Claim Funds

The exact documents can vary depending on your situation and the type of claim. Below is a typical list of what Kentucky may request.

Basic identity and address documents

Most individuals need:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
• Proof of Social Security Number (SSN card, tax document, or pay stub showing the number)
• Proof of current mailing address (recent utility bill, bank statement, lease, or similar)

Proof of connection to the account or property

To show the money belongs to you, you may be asked for:

• Old utility bill showing your name and service address
• Final bill or closing statement from the utility
• Lease agreement (for rental security deposits)
• Mortgage statements or escrow analysis (for mortgage escrow funds)
• Bank statements showing related escrow account activity
• Any letters or refund checks previously issued but never received or cashed

Special cases

If you are claiming for a business, you may need:

• Business formation documents (articles of incorporation, partnership documents)
• Proof you are an authorized officer or owner
• Tax ID number for the business

If you are claiming for someone else, such as a deceased relative:

• Death certificate
• Proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court documents)
• Estate documents if you are the executor or administrator (letters testamentary, small estate affidavit, etc.)

Quick Reference: Common Documents for Unclaimed Utility & Escrow Claims in Kentucky

*Exact requirements can vary. Always follow the official instructions from the Kentucky State Treasury or the office handling your claim.

What to Expect After You File a Claim

After you submit a claim through the official Kentucky process, the typical steps are:

1. Initial review

   • Staff review the claim form and documents to confirm identity and ownership.

2. Requests for more information (if needed)

   • You may be contacted by mail, email, or phone asking for additional documents or clarification.

3. Approval or denial

   • If approved, a check is usually mailed to the address you provided.
   • If denied, you should receive an explanation and information about possible next steps.

How long it may take

Processing times can vary, but it often takes several weeks or longer, especially if:

• Your claim is complex,
• You’re claiming funds as an heir, or
• Documentation is incomplete.

If you have questions along the way, you can contact the Kentucky State Treasury unclaimed property office using the phone number or mailing address listed on its official site.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

Understanding common issues can help you avoid delays.

Frequent issues

• Name mismatch

  • Your name on documents doesn’t match the name on the claim (for example, missing middle name, nickname, or different last name).
  • Tip: Provide documents that connect former names to your current legal name (such as a marriage certificate).

• Insufficient proof of address or ownership

  • Not providing documents that show you lived at the address or held the account.
  • Tip: Old bills, bank statements, or lease agreements can be especially useful.

• Missing signatures or incomplete forms

  • Leaving sections blank or not signing where required.
  • Tip: Review the form carefully before submitting; follow each step listed on the official instructions.

• Heir claims without legal documentation

  • Trying to claim for a deceased person without documents showing your legal right to the property.
  • Tip: Obtain court or estate documents if required by the Treasury.

If your claim is denied and you believe you are entitled to the funds, you can typically:

• Contact the unclaimed property office and request clarification, and
• Ask if there is a review or appeal process and what documents would be needed.

If You Don’t Find Anything in Kentucky’s Unclaimed Property Search

You may still have options even if your name does not appear in the Kentucky unclaimed property system.

Possibilities to consider

• The company or landlord has not yet turned the funds over to the state.
• The funds were reported under a different spelling or a previous name.
• The deposit was applied to a final bill or used to cover damages (for rental deposits).
• The money may have been reported to another state if you used a different address or moved.

Steps to take

1. Try different spellings and names

   • Search using married and maiden names, with and without middle initials, and under any previous business names.

2. Check other states

   • If you have lived or held a utility account in another state, search that state’s unclaimed property program as well.

3. Re-contact the original holder

   • Ask the utility, landlord, or lender to provide written confirmation of what happened to your deposit or escrow balance.

4. Review your records

   • Look back through bank statements and old mail for any deposit refund checks or escrow statements you may have missed.

Escrow and Security Deposit Rules to Be Aware Of

While rules can vary, here are some general points that often apply in Kentucky and many other states. For exact rules, check with:

• The Kentucky Attorney General’s office,
• Your local housing authority or county courthouse, or
• A qualified legal professional if you need legal advice.

Rental security deposits

Landlords in Kentucky commonly must:

• Provide written notice about any deductions from your deposit.
• Return the remaining balance within a certain timeframe if there is no damage or unpaid rent.

If your landlord never refunded your deposit and you believe you are owed money, you may:

• Send a written request for an accounting and refund, and
• Consider contacting a local tenant advocacy group, legal aid office, or legal professional for guidance on your rights and options.

Mortgage escrow surpluses

If your mortgage escrow account has more than needed to pay taxes and insurance, your loan servicer often must:

• Provide an annual escrow statement, and
• Refund any surplus above a certain threshold, if you are current on payments.

If you suspect a surplus was not properly handled:

• Contact your mortgage company’s customer service
• Request a copy of your escrow analysis, and
• Ask if any surplus was sent to you or turned over as unclaimed property.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Channels (And Avoid Scams)

Unfortunately, some people try to charge fees or misuse personal information related to unclaimed funds. You can protect yourself by taking a few precautions.

Tips to verify you’re on an official Kentucky site or line

• Look for “.gov” in the website address and clear identification as a Kentucky government site.
• Use phone numbers listed on state government directories or on official state documents.
• Be cautious about anyone who:
  • Demands upfront fees to “find” your money
  • Asks for full Social Security number or bank details on a site that does not appear official
  • Contacts you unexpectedly with high-pressure tactics

About third-party “finders”

Some private companies and individuals offer to locate and claim funds for you, often for a percentage fee. Before agreeing to work with them, it is wise to:

• Confirm you can search and claim the funds yourself directly through the Kentucky Treasury.
• Ask for everything in writing, including their fee and what they will do.
• Consider whether the fee is worth it, especially if the process is relatively simple to handle on your own.

Practical Checklist: Claiming Unclaimed Utility and Escrow Funds in Kentucky

You can use this simple checklist to organize your next steps through official channels:

1. Gather basic information

   • Old addresses in Kentucky
   • Names you have used (maiden, married, business names)
   • Names of utilities, landlords, or lenders you used

2. Contact original holders (if recent)

   • Ask if a refund was issued or turned over to the state.

3. Search Kentucky’s unclaimed property system

   • Use your full name and any previous names.
   • Note down any matching entries and property IDs.

4. Collect documents

   • Photo ID, SSN proof, and proof of current address
   • Old bills, leases, mortgage statements, or escrow statements
   • Estate or business documents if claiming for another person or a company.

5. File a claim through the official Kentucky State Treasury process

   • Follow the instructions on the official government site or mailed forms.
   • Double-check forms for completeness and required signatures.

6. Respond promptly to any follow-up requests

   • If the Treasury asks for more information, send it as soon as you can.

7. Monitor mail and keep copies

   • Keep copies of forms and documents you submit.
   • Watch your mail for either a check or further communication.

By understanding how unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds are handled in Kentucky, and by using the official channels, you can give yourself the best chance of reconnecting with money that may still belong to you.