Nebraska returned $13.78 million through 11,408 claims between Jan. 1 and July 15, 2026. The average payout topped $1,200. The state’s online database includes money, accounts, checks, wages, deposits and other assets belonging to individuals, relatives, businesses and organizations.
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One in five Nebraskans has unclaimed money or property being held by the state. Records from all 93 counties are available through Nebraska Lost Cash, the state’s free online search tool.
Between Jan. 1 and July 15, 2026, Nebraska’s Unclaimed Property Division returned $13,783,664 through 11,408 claims. The average payout was approximately $1,208.
During all of 2025, the state returned nearly $19.7 million through almost 20,000 claims. Since Nebraska’s unclaimed property law took effect in the late 1960s, more than $315 million has been returned to its owners or their heirs.
Nebraska’s official unclaimed money search is free
The process begins at Nebraska Lost Cash, the state’s official search portal. Users must enter a last name or business name. Adding a first name is optional but can help narrow the results.
If a possible match appears, the user can select the record and begin a claim. Finding a name does not guarantee payment. The state must verify the claimant’s identity and connection to the property before releasing it.
Unclaimed property can come from inactive bank accounts, uncashed checks, unpaid wages, utility deposits, dividends, stocks, bonds, refunds, life insurance benefits and the contents of safe-deposit boxes.
It does not include land, homes or vehicles. Tax refunds are also handled separately from recent tax changes in some Nebraska jurisdictions.
Former last names and middle initials may uncover more records
Searching only under a current name can leave older records undiscovered. Unclaimed property is generally listed under the information a bank, employer, insurance company, utility provider or other organization had when it lost contact with the owner.
Try searching several versions of a name:
- Current last name and full first name.
- Maiden name or last names used during previous marriages.
- Name with and without a middle name.
- Name with only a middle initial.
- Former spelling variations.
- First and last names entered in reverse order.
Records may also be connected to former addresses. The Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office may request a list of addresses where the claimant lived in Nebraska during the past 10 years to confirm ownership.
Heirs can search for deceased relatives
The portal can also be used to search for parents, grandparents, spouses and other relatives who have died. The state keeps the property until the rightful owner or someone legally entitled to the estate completes a claim.
In these cases, the Treasurer’s Office may request a copy of the death certificate, the claimant’s identification and documents establishing the person’s authority to represent the estate or inherit the property. The exact documentation depends on the circumstances of the claim.
Sharing a last name with the deceased owner is not enough to receive the funds. The Unclaimed Property Division reviews the family relationship and legal documents before approving payment.
Businesses and organizations may also have unclaimed property
Businesses, nonprofit organizations, churches, associations and other entities may have outstanding vendor payments, refunds, deposits or checks. The search tool accepts a business name instead of an individual’s last name.
In addition to the entity’s current legal name, users can search former business names, abbreviations and other names under which it operated. This can be especially helpful after a merger, ownership change or change in the company’s legal name.
To claim property on behalf of a business, the Treasurer’s Office may request a photo ID, the organization’s federal tax identification number and documents proving that the claimant is authorized to act for the business or organization.
Nebraska does not charge a fee to search or file a claim
Searching for property and submitting a claim through the official state program are free. There is no need to pay a company to locate the money or surrender a percentage of the amount recovered.
Private services may offer to locate property for a fee, but they are not required to use the state program. Be especially cautious about messages demanding money upfront, requesting payment to “release” funds or directing users to a website outside Nebraska’s official domain.
The state continues to hold the property until an owner or heir proves the right to claim it. New records are added regularly, so anyone who does not find a match can search again later.
The Unclaimed Property Division can be reached at (877) 572-9688 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday.
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