Unclaimed Checks, Refunds, and Payroll in Vermont: How to Find and Claim Your Money

If you’ve ever moved, changed jobs, or switched banks, there’s a chance Vermont may be holding money that belongs to you. This can include unclaimed paychecks, refunds, deposits, insurance payments, and more.

This guide explains, in plain language, how unclaimed money works in Vermont and how to claim it through official state channels. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency or claim-processing service, but this overview can help you understand what to do next and where to go.

What Is “Unclaimed Property” in Vermont?

Vermont’s unclaimed property system is a state-run program that safeguards money and certain assets when the rightful owner can’t be located.

This can include:

• Uncashed payroll checks
• Uncashed refund checks (from utilities, landlords, credit card companies, etc.)
• Bank accounts with no activity for a set period
• Security deposits (rental or utility)
• Insurance payouts or claim checks
• Dividends or investment distributions
• Store credits or money orders (in some situations)

Typically, businesses and financial institutions must try to contact you. If they can’t reach you for a certain number of years, they are required to send the funds to the state’s unclaimed property office, which holds them for you until you claim them.

Who Might Have Unclaimed Checks, Refunds, or Payroll in Vermont?

You may have unclaimed money in Vermont if any of these apply:

• You worked for an employer in Vermont and never received or cashed your final paycheck or bonus.
• You moved and didn’t update your mailing address with your job, bank, utility company, or landlord.
• You closed a bank account or changed banks, and a small leftover balance remained.
• You received a refund check (for utilities, overpayments, insurance, or taxes) that was lost, misdelivered, or never cashed.
• You changed your name (through marriage, divorce, or other reason) and didn’t update it everywhere.
• A deceased relative lived, worked, or held accounts in Vermont, and property is still listed in their name.

If any of this sounds familiar, it may be worth checking Vermont’s unclaimed property records.

Types of Vermont Unclaimed Money: At a Glance

The unclaimed property office is usually the main place to check if you’re not sure where to start.

How Vermont’s Unclaimed Property Process Typically Works

While the precise details can change, Vermont generally follows this pattern:

1. Dormancy period
   A business, bank, or employer flags an account as “inactive” or “unclaimed” after no contact or activity for a certain number of years (often 1–5 years, depending on the type of property).

2. Attempt to contact you
   The holder must make a reasonable effort to reach you, often by mail or email, using the last known contact information.

3. Funds turned over to the state
   If they can’t reach you, they transfer the money to Vermont’s unclaimed property program under your name (and sometimes your last known address).

4. State lists your property
   The property is added to a public database where you (or your heirs) can search by name.

5. You file a claim
   You submit a claim form with identifying documents to show the money belongs to you.

6. State reviews and pays
   The unclaimed property office reviews your information and, if approved, releases the funds to you, often by check or direct deposit.

Step-by-Step: How to Search for Unclaimed Checks and Payroll in Vermont

1. Gather Basic Information

Before searching, it helps to have:

• Full legal name (and former names, if any)
• Current and past Vermont addresses
• Employer names from jobs you held in Vermont
• Approximate dates you lived or worked in Vermont

This is especially useful if you’ve moved frequently or changed your name.

2. Search the Vermont Unclaimed Property Database

Vermont maintains an official state unclaimed property search tool (usually on the state treasurer or revenue department’s website).

You can typically:

• Search by name
• Narrow results by city or address
• See who reported the property (for example, a specific employer or bank)
• View an approximate dollar amount or category

If you do not find anything the first time:

• Try variations of your name (with and without middle name or initial)
• Search former names (for example, maiden name)
• Search for other household members or deceased relatives who lived or worked in Vermont

3. Identify Which Claims Are Yours

The search results may list:

• Name and possibly middle initial
• Last known address
• Business or agency that reported the property (employer, bank, insurer, etc.)
• Type of property (wages, refund, deposit, etc.)

Focus on entries that match:

• Your name
• Places you lived or worked
• Entities you recognize (your bank, your employer, your landlord)

You can usually select claims you believe are yours and move forward to a claim form.

How to Claim Unclaimed Checks, Payroll, or Refunds in Vermont

The claim process will vary slightly based on the type of property and whether you’re claiming for yourself, a business, or an estate. Typically, Vermont uses an online claim portal with an option to print and mail forms when needed.

1. Start the Claim Through the Official Portal

Once you’ve identified property that looks like it belongs to you, you can:

• Start a claim online through the state’s official unclaimed property portal, or
• Print a paper claim form to complete and mail to the unclaimed property office

Look for clear indicators that you are on an official Vermont government site (for example, a .gov website and state branding) before entering personal information.

2. Provide Required Information

You’ll usually be asked for:

• Full legal name
• Current mailing address
• Email and/or phone number
• Social Security number (SSN) or Tax ID (to verify identity and for tax reporting if needed)
• Details confirming your connection to the address or entity that reported the property

For some smaller claims, an online self-verification may be enough. For larger or more complex claims, you may need to mail in documents.

3. Submit Supporting Documents

Common documents that Vermont may request include:

• Photo ID

  • Driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • Passport

• Proof of address or ownership (especially if the address on the claim is old)

  • Utility bill
  • Lease agreement
  • Bank statement
  • Tax return showing that address

• Proof of name change (if applicable)

  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree
  • Court order

• For payroll checks

  • Old pay stubs
  • W-2 forms
  • Employer-issued documentation that shows you worked there (helpful but not always required)

• For business claims

  • Business registration documents
  • Articles of incorporation or organization
  • Proof of authority to act for the business (such as officer or owner status)

• For estate claims (deceased relative)

  • Death certificate
  • Probate documents or letters of administration
  • Will or legal proof that you are the rightful heir or representative

The exact list depends on the nature and size of the claim. The online portal or claim form usually spells out what’s needed.

4. Submit the Claim and Keep Copies

Whether you complete the process online or by mail:

• Keep copies of everything you send.
• If mailing, use a method that allows tracking when possible.
• Note any claim number provided; you may need it to check status.

How Long Does It Take to Get Your Money?

Processing times can vary based on:

• Volume of claims the state is handling
• Complexity of your claim (simple wage claims vs. estates or business claims)
• Whether your documents are complete and clear

In many cases:

• Simple individual claims with clear documentation can be processed within several weeks.
• More complex claims (estates, large sums, or missing documents) may take several months.

If you are concerned about timing, you can typically:

• Contact the Vermont unclaimed property office by phone or email, and
• Ask for an update using your claim number.

Common Reasons Vermont Unclaimed Property Claims Get Delayed or Denied

To avoid setbacks, be aware of typical issues:

• Incomplete forms
  Key sections left blank or missing signatures.

• Missing identification
  No photo ID, or expired/unclear ID copies.

• Not enough proof of address
  Especially for old addresses, the state needs to see your connection to the address on record.

• Name mismatches
  If the claim is in a maiden or former name and you don’t include proof of name change.

• Unclear relationship (for estates or business claims)
  No documentation showing you’re authorized to claim on behalf of an estate or company.

• Illegible documents
  Blurry or dark photos, hard-to-read faxes, or partial pages.

If your claim is denied, the notice should generally explain why. You can often:

• Submit additional documentation to fix the issue, or
• Ask the unclaimed property office how to appeal or refile.

Special Situations: Payroll, Tax Refunds, and Employer Issues

Unclaimed Payroll Checks in Vermont

If you believe you never received a paycheck or final pay from a Vermont employer, there are two main paths depending on timing:

1. Recent or current employer issues

   • First, contact the employer’s HR or payroll department and ask them to reissue the check or verify payment.
   • If they refuse or you believe wage laws are being violated, you may contact Vermont’s labor or wage enforcement agency for guidance on filing a wage claim.

2. Older or long-ago payroll checks

   • If enough time has passed, the employer may have turned uncashed wages over to the unclaimed property program.
   • Check the state unclaimed property database under your name to see if old wages appear there.

Vermont State Tax Refunds

If you filed a Vermont state income tax return and never received your refund:

• First, check the official Vermont tax department portal or hotline to track your refund status.
• If a refund check went uncashed for a long time, it may eventually be turned over to the unclaimed property office.
• In that case, it could show up in the unclaimed property search under your name.

Claiming on Behalf of Someone Else (Heirs, Estates, and Businesses)

Claiming for a Deceased Relative

If a parent, spouse, or other relative has passed away and you think they have unclaimed money in Vermont:

1. Search under their legal name (including middle name/initial).
2. If you find property, be prepared to provide:
   • Death certificate
   • Proof of your relationship (birth or marriage certificate, or legal documents)
   • Estate documents if a formal estate exists (letters testamentary, appointment of executor, etc.)
3. Follow the state’s instructions for estate or heir claims, which may differ from individual claims.

Claiming for a Business

If you are an owner or authorized representative of a Vermont business:

1. Search using the business name (and any former names or DBAs).
2. Be ready to show:
   • Business registration with the state
   • Proof of your role (e.g., you are the owner, officer, or authorized signatory)
3. The unclaimed property office may request documents to confirm you have authority to receive funds for the business.

Documents Checklist: Vermont Unclaimed Checks, Refunds, and Payroll

Here is a simple checklist you can use before starting your claim:

For Individuals

• [ ] Government-issued photo ID
• [ ] Social Security number (for the form)
• [ ] Document showing your connection to the address on file (utility bill, bank statement, lease, or tax document)
• [ ] Name change documents (if your current name differs from the name on the claim)
• [ ] For payroll: old W-2s or pay stubs (if available; not always required but can help)

For Heirs/Estate Claims

• [ ] Death certificate of the original owner
• [ ] Documents showing you are the executor, administrator, or heir
• [ ] Any relevant probate court documents or will
• [ ] Your own photo ID and SSN

For Business Claims

• [ ] Business registration or incorporation documents
• [ ] Proof that you are authorized to act (e.g., corporate resolution, title as officer/owner)
• [ ] Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• [ ] Your photo ID

Having these ready can make your claim faster and smoother.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Vermont Channels (Scam Avoidance Tips)

Because unclaimed money can attract scams, it’s important to verify that you are dealing with the official Vermont office, not a private service pretending to be one.

Here are practical tips:

• Check the web address

  • Look for a “.gov” domain and Vermont state branding.
  • Avoid entering personal details on sites that don’t clearly belong to the state.

• Be cautious about fees

  • The official Vermont unclaimed property office does not charge you a fee to claim your own property.
  • Third-party “finders” may offer to do the process for a fee, but this is optional, and you can typically claim directly yourself at no cost.

• Hang up on suspicious calls

  • If someone calls claiming you have unclaimed money and asks for bank details or payment up front, treat it as suspicious.
  • Instead, hang up and contact the Vermont unclaimed property office or state treasurer’s office directly using a number listed on the state’s official website.

• Ignore urgent or threatening messages

  • Official government offices do not typically threaten arrest or immediate action for unclaimed property issues.

If you’re unsure, you can:

• Call the state treasurer’s office or unclaimed property division at the number posted on Vermont’s official government site, and
• Ask them to verify whether a letter, email, or call you received is legitimate.

What If You Don’t Find Any Unclaimed Property in Vermont?

If your search returns no matches, you still have options:

• Try different spellings or versions of your name.
• Search for past addresses or cities where you lived.
• Check for relatives’ names, especially if you help with their paperwork.
• Remember that you may need to check other states where you have lived, worked, or held accounts, using their official unclaimed property sites.

Even if nothing appears now, you can revisit Vermont’s database periodically. Businesses may continue turning over new unclaimed funds each year.

Key Takeaways for Vermonters

• Unclaimed checks, refunds, and payroll in Vermont are handled through the state’s unclaimed property program, typically overseen by a state agency such as the treasurer or revenue department.
• You can usually search for free by name on the state’s official unclaimed property website.
• To claim funds, expect to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of address or relationship.
• No fee is required to claim your own money directly through Vermont’s official channels.
• For recent payroll issues or missing pay, start with your employer and then labor/wage enforcement if needed.
• Always verify you’re on a Vermont government site or speaking with an official office before sharing personal information.

By understanding the process and gathering the right documents, you can navigate Vermont’s systems and take the next steps to claim any unclaimed checks, refunds, or payroll that may belong to you.