COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Ohio Department of Commerce saw an 83% jump in the number of claims for unclaimed funds from June 30 through July 6.
The department said there were 153,561 claims filed during that time; for perspective, there were 325,646 total claims filed since June 1.
The jump in claims seems to coincide with the state budget passing a provision to use $1.7 billion, or 20% of the fund, to build a new stadium for the Cleveland Browns as well as other sports facility upgrades and projects.
A lawsuit was filed against the state last week, claiming that using those funds is unconstitutional.
Many Ohioans have sounded off on social media about the plan to use the unclaimed money. Several plaintiffs in the lawsuit said the process for collecting the funds has been difficult and cumbersome. But Misti Sims of Columbus said the process was easy for her.
“It tells you step by step what you’re supposed to do and I filled it out and sent it in, and I had a couple other steps to go through because of where the money came from, but it was from an insurance claim that I had three years prior, but eventually I got every penny of it,” Sims said.
Sims claimed $1,087 from a car insurance claim years ago. Sims even looked up her sister’s name to find she also had more than $300; Sims printed her claim so all she has to do is sign it and send it in.
“It was very easy,” she said. “Everything’s online, it walks you through it, and that’s your money, so go get it. Don’t let the state have your money. That’s yours. It’s my money, I don’t feel that I should give it to you to build a stadium. If you want to build a stadium, get your own money. I mean, that was my money.”
The Ohio Department of Commerce also said it received about double the number of visitors to its website from May to June, showing Ohioans are very interested in claiming what’s theirs.
According to the Statehouse, that $1.7 billion set to be taken from Unclaimed Funds will happen on Jan. 1, 2026, and will come from funds that are more than ten years old. The state said future claims for money will be honored.
“What are you waiting for? It’s your money. Go get it,” Sims said.
To learn how to search for funds as well as claim any you may find, click here.
