DES MOINES, Iowa – With the fiscal year having wrapped up on June 30th, State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald’s Great Iowa Treasure Hunt passed a milestone in seeing more unclaimed property being returned, to the tune of $300 million.

Fitzgerald says “In fiscal year 2021, which ran July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, over $18.5 million was paid out to more than 20,000 past and present Iowans through the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt.” He added, I look forward to what we will accomplish in the upcoming year!”

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt has been safeguarding and returning unclaimed property since Fitzgerald created the program in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other financial assets that are considered lost or abandoned when an owner cannot be located after a specific period of inactivity. Forgotten bank accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, unpaid life insurance policies and safe deposit box contents are all examples of unclaimed property.

According to Fitzgerald, “With the complexities of the pandemic, it comes as no surprise this past year was difficult for many Iowans. The average claim amount paid during this fiscal year was $925.78, so it’s great to know we were able to provide a financial relief when many needed it most.”

More than $423 million is still waiting to be claimed. Visit GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to begin your search and make your claim today. Keep up with all of Treasurer Fitzgerald’s programs on Facebook and Twitter.