Americans can pocket up to $66,270 in unclaimed checks – the three steps to take to get your cash

AMERICANS might have the chance to snag $66,270 in unclaimed checks.

There is a mass of people eligible for payments ranging from $14 to $4,614.

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The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s website for St. Lucie County, Florida features a list of 123 individuals eligible for restitution payments and bonds.

The list also includes the unclaimed amounts they’re entitled to.

In a recent news release, Clerk and Comptroller Michelle R. Miller emphasized the importance of reclaiming these funds, per TC Palm :

“We want to ensure that every citizen has an opportunity to claim what is rightfully theirs.

“By taking a few moments to visit our website, individuals can discover funds that could potentially make a difference in their lives.”

CLAIMING THE UNCLAIMED

To begin, navigate to the St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s website to access the unclaimed checks database.

If you find your name on the list, download the Unclaimed Monies Affidavit , fill it out, and have it notarized.

Next, send the notarized affidavit along with a valid W-9 form (required for individuals and businesses claiming funds) and a valid photo ID that includes your address (for individuals) to:

St. Lucie County Clerk and Comptroller
Attn: Clerk Finance
P.O. Box 700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954.

Remember to postmark all claim forms by August 31, as checks will be mailed to recipients after that date, the outlet says.

WHY FUNDS GO FORGOTTEN

According to clerk spokesperson Michael Green, unclaimed funds primarily originate from cash bonds associated with various criminal cases, per the outlet.

These bonds are held to ensure that defendants appear in court as required.

If a defendant fulfills all court obligations and the case concludes, the bond is returned to the individual who posted it.

However, if the bond is not claimed following the case resolution, it becomes unclaimed.

Don’t miss your chance to claim what is rightfully yours.

Check the website today to see if you are one of the eligible individuals.

HOW TO CLAIM FUNDS

Steps to Check Your Eligibility for Unclaimed Funds in St. Lucie County

1. Visit the Website : Access the St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s website to explore the database of unclaimed checks.

2. Identify Your Claim : If you find your name on the list, download, fill out, and notarize the Unclaimed Monies Affidavit.

3. Submit Your Claim : Mail the notarized affidavit, along with a valid W-9 form (for individuals and businesses claiming funds) and a valid photo ID showing your address (for individuals), to:

St. Lucie County Clerk and Comptroller
Attn: Clerk Finance
P.O. Box 700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954.

Be sure to postmark all claim forms by August 31, as checks will be mailed to recipients thereafter.

MORE CASH TO CLAIM

You have more chances to claim free cash.

Eligible participants can receive $500 monthly payments for an entire year from a newly established $32 million fund.

Launched in April 2022, the Chicago Resilient Communities guaranteed income pilot aims to support low-income families with $500 payments each month.

Over the course of the program, which extends through 2023, 5,000 residents have been selected to benefit from these year-long payments.

In a recent announcement, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson revealed an additional investment of $32 million into the guaranteed income initiative, as reported by NBC .

This funding is part of the city’s effort to utilize $576 million received from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act , signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021.

This economic stimulus bill was designed to help communities recover from the pandemic’s effects.

To avoid returning the funds to the federal government, Chicago must allocate the money promptly.

Mayor Johnson emphasized the importance of utilizing these resources effectively: “When I came into office, I wanted to ensure the money the city received from the federal government was utilized to help the communities most impacted by the pandemic and the many long-standing inequities it exacerbated.

“My administration has developed a plan to ensure that these funds are being used in a strategic way to directly and concretely impact the lives of people across Chicago.”

For those interested in applying for the initial program, there were four eligibility requirements:

• You must reside in Chicago.
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have experienced economic hardship due to the pandemic.
• Your household income must be at or below 250% of the federal poverty line.

While the reopening date for applications has not yet been announced, residents can find more information about the program on the pilot’s official website .

There’s also more free money to keep an eye out for.

You could earn hundreds of dollars by opening a new bank account at different US banks.

Plus, a program is offering families up to $1,500 in free money if they meet at least three criteria.