PRESS RELEASE
Treasurer Fitzpatrick and DOLIR Partnership Reaches another Milestone Returning over $1 Million to Missourians
Jefferson City, MO—Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick today
announced that his partnership with the Missouri Department of Labor and
Industrial Relations (DOLIR) Division of Employment Security has reached
another milestone by returning over $1 million to Missourians who have applied
for unemployment benefits. This partnership
was announced in October. By cross-referencing DOLIR’s contact
data with the Unclaimed Property database, the Treasurer’s Office is able to
conduct proactive outreach more successfully. Over the two months, the Unclaimed
Property Division has contacted 100,000 Missourians via email, postcards, and
phone calls. More than 5,700 claims have been processed returning $1,071,907.97.
The largest return to date totaled $59,744.45
for a Jefferson County resident. “Getting this program off the
ground took time and persistence but it is work that has truly paid off,”
Treasurer Fitzpatrick said. “I am proud of the Unclaimed Property Division for
processing these claims quickly and efficiently. This partnership is an example
of good government and demonstrates what can be accomplished when agencies work
together to better serve Missourians. I am grateful to the team at DOLIR for
this partnership—and I look forward to expanding this effort moving forward.” Those who receive outreach in
the form of a postcard, email, or phone call will have to submit a claim for
their unclaimed property. The Treasurer’s Office anticipates the number of
matches generated by this partnership is likely in excess of a hundred thousand
representing tens of millions of dollars that could be returned to Missourians
who need it. Last year, Treasurer Fitzpatrick
worked with the Department of Social
Services to launch
an automated system that matches unclaimed property with past-due child
support. This new system has returned more than $3.5 million in past-due child
support payments to Missouri families. 1 in 10 Missourians has
unclaimed property and the average return is $300. Missourians can search and
claim online at ShowMeMoney.com.
The Treasurer’s Office does not charge to return unclaimed property. Since taking office in 2019,
Treasurer Fitzpatrick has broken three unclaimed property records, returning
the first $1 million of his administration in less than 10 days, returning
over $45 million in one fiscal year, and returning
unclaimed property to more Missourians in one year than any prior treasurer.
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