FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 23, 2026
New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) joined local officials to highlight the return of $16,035.32 to the Town of Wallkill Emergency Medical Services and raise awareness of the nearly $107 million in unclaimed funds waiting to be claimed by Orange County residents, businesses, and nonprofits.
Unclaimed funds is money that has been lost or forgotten over time. This includes old bank accounts, uncashed checks, stock certificates, or unused gift cards. After a period of time, lost money is considered abandoned property, and turned over to the New York State Comptroller’s office. There is no fee or time limit to claim the funds, and Comptroller DiNapoli’s Office of Unclaimed Funds returns over $2 million each day.
The Town of Wallkill EMS had been unable to access several insurance payments and checks it never received, which were eventually turned over to the DiNapoli’s Office of Unclaimed Funds. With the help of Skoufis’ office, the EMS unit was able to recover more than $16,000 owed to the organization.
“Unclaimed funds belong in the hands of their rightful owners, and I am pleased we were able to return more than $16,000 to the Town of Wallkill EMS to support its critical work,” said DiNapoli. “I thank Senator Skoufis for helping connect the corps with my Office of Unclaimed Funds, and I encourage every New Yorker, business and organization to search our free online database to see if they have money waiting for them.”
“The Town of Wallkill EMS provides a critical service to the community,” said Skoufis. “They not only cover their own service area, but provide significant mutual aid to surrounding areas, and they need and deserve all our support. I’m thrilled they received their money, and that my office was helpful in connecting them with the Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds. This is government working in tandem for the common good.”
"Making my constituents aware of unclaimed funds has been an incredibly rewarding aspect of my constituent outreach over the past two years, and Comptroller DiNapoli’s office has been essential in organizing the many unclaimed funds events I’ve held,” said Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay. “This money belongs to the people and it’s important we use our positions to elevate the accessibility of these funds. The $16,000 that the Wallkill Emergency Medical Service has recovered will go a long way in supporting their life saving operations in Orange County, so thank you to Senator Skoufis and Comptroller DiNapoli for their help in facilitating this recovery. If you haven’t already, I encourage all of my constituents to search through the Comptroller’s website to see if you are entitled to unclaimed funds; you never know what could come back."
“As an emergency services organization, we need resources to function safely, treat patients, and save lives,” said Alexandria Morrice, Executive Director, Town of Wallkill EMS. “Our service area is large and our call volume is high, so equipment, supplies, training, and support are always in demand, and $16,035.32 goes a long way. We’re grateful to Senator Skoufis’ office for facilitating the assistance and to the Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds for helping us access our money and getting it returned quickly to our accounts. These funds are being used to upgrade ALS equipment on each of our ambulances and fly cars."
In Orange County, $106,801,944.89 in unclaimed funds is currently waiting to be claimed across 629,862 accounts. During State Fiscal Year 2025–26, DiNapoli’s office returned $2,761,974 in unclaimed funds to Orange County residents.
To return money even faster, DiNapoli launched the Expedited Payment Program in 2025. It sends certain unclaimed funds up to $5,000 to verified individuals in the mail without having to file a claim. Before a check is issued, the Comptroller’s office sends a notification letter.
In Orange County, $1,046,412 has been sent to residents through 6,496 expedited-payment checks. Since the program’s launch in 2025, more than 300,000 expedited-payment checks totaling more than $73 million have been mailed statewide, with an average check amount of $225.
DiNapoli’s Office of Unclaimed Funds returns over $2 million each day. Unclaimed funds never expire and are free to claim through the Comptroller’s website.
Individuals and organizations can search for and claim their funds at any time:
Online: osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds
By phone: (800) 221-9311, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In person: at outreach events held across the state
A map of unclaimed funds owed to New Yorkers by county and region is available here.
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