A representative from the state comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds last Thursday visited the Catholic Charities Howard Beach Senior Center. Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza.
A representative from state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s Office of Unclaimed Funds last Thursday visited the Catholic Charities Senior Center in Howard Beach—and turned out to be the bearer of a bit of good financial news for some members.
According to DiNapoli’s office, banks, insurance companies, corporations and the courts are among the organizations required by law to report dormant accounts to the comptroller. These organizations must attempt to notify you by mail and publish the information in newspapers. Despite these efforts, DiNapoli said, many funds remain unclaimed and are turned over to his office.
“We take [the funds], try to find you or your family and give it back,” said Debra Dilan, who works in the Office of Unclaimed Funds Events.
She then noted that as of last Thursday morning, there was $13.5 billion in the Unclaimed Funds account.
“Who knows—some of it could belong to you,” Dilan said with a smile.
While most of the seniors and facility staff members walked away empty handed from the table that Dilan had set up in the senior center’s dining hall, a tiny minority got the thumbs up, indicating that either they or a loved one were entitled to some dormant dollars.
Dilan said that after you fill out and submit a claim form, you should receive the funds in approximately two weeks.
“I think it’s great,” senior center resident Iola Tannebaum said regarding the Unclaimed Funds Office. “You get to learn about money—if you have any.”
Howard Beach resident Marcella Gallagher recalled how she was able to claim some forgotten funds last year. She added that more government agencies need to practice such senior outreach.
“I think it’s great that they came here to the center,” Gallagher said. “Many of these opportunities are not grabbed because a lot of [the elderly] can’t make it out of their homes.”
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
