Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Michigan: How to Find and Claim What You’re Owed

Many people in Michigan move, switch utility providers, refinance a mortgage, or pay off a home loan and never realize they may be leaving utility deposits or escrow funds behind. Those funds often end up classified as unclaimed property.

This guide explains, in plain English, how unclaimed utility and escrow money typically works in Michigan, how to check if any of it belongs to you, and what steps people usually take to claim it through official state channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government office, not an official portal, and not a place to file a claim. This article is only meant to help you understand the process so you can work with the correct Michigan agencies and companies.

What Are Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Michigan?

Utility deposits

A utility deposit is money a utility company might ask you to pay to start or continue service. In Michigan, this is common with:

• Electric service
• Gas service
• Water and sewer
• Sometimes telephone or internet

You might have paid a deposit when:

• You opened service with no or limited credit history
• You had a previous shutoff or late payment history
• You were a college student or renter without long-term credit

If you move, close your account, or switch providers, you may be owed that deposit back, sometimes minus any final charges. If the utility can’t reach you or doesn’t have your updated address, the money may eventually be turned over to the State of Michigan as unclaimed property.

Escrow funds

Escrow funds are money your mortgage servicer collects with your monthly mortgage payment to pay:

• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• Sometimes mortgage insurance or other required costs

If your loan is refinanced, paid off, or transferred to a new servicer, you might be due a refund of leftover escrow funds.

If the mortgage company or servicer:

• Mails a check to an old address, or
• Has your name slightly wrong, or
• Never hears back after issuing a refund

…those funds may eventually be turned over to the Michigan Department of Treasury as unclaimed property.

Who Handles Unclaimed Deposits and Escrow Funds in Michigan?

In Michigan, unclaimed property (including old utility deposits and escrow balances) is typically handled by:

• Michigan Department of Treasury – Unclaimed Property division

Utility companies and financial institutions are usually required, after a certain period of inactivity and failed contact attempts, to hand over unclaimed money to the state. This includes:

• Closed utility accounts with uncashed refund checks
• Old escrow refunds from paid-off or refinanced mortgages
• Dormant bank accounts
• Uncashed checks and other similar items

Once the funds are with the state, you or your heirs usually need to file a claim with the Michigan Unclaimed Property office, not with HowToGetAssistance.org.

How to Check for Unclaimed Utility Deposits or Escrow Funds in Michigan

Step 1: Gather basic information

Before searching, it helps to have:

• Current and former names
  • Full legal name
  • Any maiden names
  • Any previous married names
  • Any common misspellings of your name
• Addresses you’ve used in Michigan, such as:
  • College addresses
  • Previous rentals
  • Homes you owned
  • Addresses connected to a business, if relevant
• Past utility providers (electric, gas, water, phone, internet)
• Mortgage lenders/servicers you’ve used

You can still search with minimal information (usually just a name), but the more you remember, the easier it is to recognize which listings belong to you.

Step 2: Use Michigan’s official unclaimed property search

Michigan typically provides an official unclaimed property search tool through the Michigan Department of Treasury. To find it:

1. Go to the official website for the State of Michigan.
2. Look for a section called “Unclaimed Property” or similar.
3. Use the name search to look up:
   • Your current legal name
   • Any former names
   • Possibly family members’ names (for example, deceased parents or spouses, in case you might be an heir)

You do not search for unclaimed property through HowToGetAssistance.org.

Step 3: Look for entries that match you

When the search tool shows results, it may list:

• Last known owner name
• A partial address
• The holder (the company that reported the money), such as a utility or mortgage company
• A property type (often a code or description like “utility deposit,” “escrow funds,” or “refund check”)

Look for:

• Known addresses from your past
• Utility company names you recognize
• Mortgage lenders or servicers you used
• Amounts that make sense, if they’re listed

How to Claim Unclaimed Utility or Escrow Money in Michigan

Once you find a listing that appears to belong to you, the typical steps involve filing a claim with the Michigan Department of Treasury, not with the original utility or mortgage company.

Typical claim process

Although details can change, many people in Michigan usually follow these steps:

1. Select the property you want to claim in the state’s unclaimed property search.
2. Start a claim through the state’s official process (online or by requesting paper forms).
3. Provide personal information so the state can verify your identity and ownership.
4. Submit supporting documents (see below).
5. Wait for review while the state verifies your documents.
6. If approved, the state usually issues a check or sometimes a direct deposit, depending on the options they offer at the time.

HowToGetAssistance.org does not accept or process these claims.

Documents You May Need to Claim Unclaimed Funds

The exact documents required in Michigan can vary based on:

• The amount of money
• Whether you are the original owner or an heir
• Whether the property is in your personal name or a business name

Below is a general idea of what people are often asked to provide.

Common documents for individuals

Most claimants should be prepared to show:

• Proof of identity, such as:
  • State-issued driver’s license or ID card
  • Passport
• Proof of Social Security Number, often one of:
  • Social Security card
  • Tax document showing your SSN (like a W‑2 or 1099)
• Proof of address or connection to the property, such as:
  • Old utility bills showing your name and the address
  • Mortgage statements
  • Property tax bills
  • Lease agreements
  • Bank statements or letters from the holder (if available)

For larger claims, the state may request additional paperwork.

If you’re claiming as an heir or personal representative

If the person who originally owned the deposits or escrow funds has died, Michigan may require documents such as:

• Death certificate
• Will or trust documents, if applicable
• Letters of authority or similar documents if you are the personal representative of an estate
• Legal documents showing you are an heir or authorized to act on behalf of the estate

Always follow the instructions on the official Michigan unclaimed property claim form for the most accurate requirements.

Quick Comparison: Utility Deposits vs. Escrow Refunds in Michigan

How Long Do You Have to Claim Unclaimed Deposits or Escrow Funds?

In Michigan, unclaimed property is usually held by the state indefinitely for the rightful owner or their heirs. That means:

• There is often no hard deadline to claim once it has been turned over to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
• However, before it’s turned over to the state, the original company (utility, mortgage servicer) may have a limited time frame for holding and attempting to contact you.

Because laws and timelines can change, it’s smart to:

• Search for unclaimed property periodically, especially after:
  • Moving
  • Paying off a mortgage
  • Switching utility providers
  • Handling a family member’s estate

What Happens After You File a Claim in Michigan?

After you submit your unclaimed property claim:

1. Initial review

   • The Michigan Department of Treasury typically checks that your claim form is complete and that required documents are attached.

2. Verification process

   • Staff verify that your information matches what the original holder reported.
   • They may review name variations, addresses, Social Security numbers (if available), and other data.

3. Requests for more information (if needed)

   • If something is missing or unclear, they may contact you through the method you provided (mail, email, or phone) and request additional documents.

4. Decision

   • If approved, you’ll usually receive a payment from the state.
   • If denied, you should receive an explanation or instructions on what to do next.

Processing times can vary based on:

• The volume of claims
• The complexity of your case
• Whether your documents were complete and legible

Common Reasons Michigan Claims Are Delayed or Denied

People often run into problems when:

• Name changes aren’t explained

  • For example, your current ID shows your married name, but the unclaimed property is in your maiden name, and there’s no documentation (such as a marriage certificate) connecting the two.

• Incomplete proof of address

  • You claim a deposit tied to a specific address but don’t provide any document linking you to that address.

• Mismatched SSN or identifying information

  • The Social Security number or date of birth on the original record doesn’t match what you provide, or the record doesn’t include enough data and you can’t show a clear connection.

• Unreadable documents

  • Blurry or cut-off images of IDs or other documents.

To avoid delays:

• Make sure your documents are clear and legible.
• Provide as many supporting records as you reasonably can.
• Explain any name differences (maiden, married, nicknames) clearly on the form if there’s a place to do so.

What If You Don’t Find Any Unclaimed Funds?

If your search in Michigan shows no matches:

1. Try variations of your name

   • Include middle initial or middle name.
   • Check both married and maiden names.

2. Search for family members

   • Parents, spouses, or other relatives who have passed away. If they have unclaimed property, you may be able to claim as an heir, following the state’s requirements.

3. Search again later

   • Companies submit unclaimed property reports periodically. Something that does not appear today could show up in a future reporting cycle.

4. Contact utilities or lenders directly (for very recent issues)

   • If you just moved or just paid off a mortgage and are missing a refund, the money might still be with the company, not the state.
   • In that case, calling the company’s customer service or mortgage servicing department may be more effective than searching unclaimed property at first.

How to Handle Very Recent Utility Deposits or Escrow Refunds

If your situation is recent (for example, within the last few months):

Utility deposits

• Call the utility’s customer service with your:
  • Account number
  • Service address
  • Date you closed the account

Ask if they issued a final bill and whether any deposit refund was applied or mailed. If a check was mailed and never arrived, ask how they handle re-issuing checks.

Escrow refunds

• Contact your mortgage servicer or lender’s customer service or loan payoff department.
• Ask if there was an escrow surplus after payoff or refinance, and whether a refund check was issued.

If the company confirms the money has already been turned over to the State of Michigan, you’ll usually need to use the state’s unclaimed property process instead of dealing directly with the company.

If You’re Claiming on Behalf of a Business or Organization

Utility deposits and property taxes are sometimes in the name of a:

• Small business
• Nonprofit organization
• Landlord or property management company

If the unclaimed property is in a business name, Michigan typically requires:

• Proof you’re authorized to act for the business, such as:
  • Articles of incorporation
  • Business license
  • Operating agreement
  • A letter on company letterhead, depending on the rules
• Tax ID number (EIN)
• Possibly resolutions or other documents showing you are an officer or authorized representative

Always follow the instructions given by the state’s unclaimed property office for business claims.

How to Tell If You’re Using an Official Michigan Channel

Because unclaimed money attracts scams, it’s important to make sure you’re working with official offices:

• Look for the “.gov” domain in Michigan’s official websites.
• You can usually reach the unclaimed property office by:
  • Calling the Michigan Department of Treasury’s main phone line and asking to be directed to unclaimed property, or
  • Asking your local government office for the correct state unclaimed property contact.

Be cautious of:

• Third-party services that charge a fee or percentage to “find” your money. In Michigan, you can typically search and file claims directly with the state at no cost.
• Emails or calls requesting your full Social Security number before you’ve confirmed they are truly from the Michigan Department of Treasury.
• Anyone pressuring you to act immediately or pay an upfront fee to receive funds.

If in doubt, contact the Michigan Department of Treasury using a phone number or mailing address you find on an official State of Michigan website or through a trusted government directory, not through ads or unsolicited messages.

Alternatives and Extra Help If You Run Into Problems

If the process feels confusing or if you’re running into obstacles:

• Call the Michigan unclaimed property office

  • Staff can often explain what documents they need and how to correct issues with your claim.

• Ask a trusted advocate for help

  • Some people ask a legal aid office, community organization, or trusted family member to help gather documents or read instructions.

• Dial 211 in Michigan

  • In many parts of Michigan, calling 211 connects you with community resources. While they do not process unclaimed property claims, they may point you toward local legal help, housing counseling, or other support if your issue is connected to housing or utilities.

Remember, HowToGetAssistance.org is an information resource only. To actually check for unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds in Michigan or file a claim, you will need to use the Michigan Department of Treasury’s unclaimed property resources or contact the original utility or mortgage company through their official customer service channels.