Speaker Rivas, Assemblymember Valencia, State Controller Cohen Announce February as Unclaimed Property Month in California

Speaker Rivas joined Assemblymember Valencia to raise awareness for California's $15 billion unclaimed property program, an opportunity to put money back in the pockets of Central Coast families.

• Nick Miller
• Communications Director
• 916-319-2029
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO- Speaker Robert Rivas joined Assemblymember Avelino Valencia and State Controller Malia M. Cohen on Thursday in announcing the adoption of Assembly House Resolution (HR) 79, declaring February 2026 as Unclaimed Property Month in California.

The resolution elevates awareness about the state's Unclaimed Property Program and encourages Californians - including families and small business owners across the Central Coast - to check whether they are owed money or property that may have been forgotten or misplaced over time.

Administered by the State Controller's Office, California's Unclaimed Property program safeguards more than $15 billion in unclaimed assets. These funds are held to ensure that businesses and other entities return property belonging to customers with whom they have lost contact. Common types of unclaimed property include forgotten bank accounts, stocks, bonds, uncashed checks, insurance benefits, and safe deposit box contents.

"This resolution is about putting dollars back into people's pockets. Too often, families are unaware their money is sitting unclaimed. That's why I'm happy to join Assemblymember Avelino Valencia in raising awareness for this important program," Speaker Robert Rivas said.

"Every year, California returns hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed property back to their rightful owners," Assemblymember Avelino Valenciasaid. "As Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee, I am excited to join State Controller Malia Cohen to recognize this February as Unclaimed Property Month. A quick search could put money back in your wallet."

"My office is safeguarding more than $15 billion in unclaimed property, representing over 84 million individual properties waiting to be returned to nearly 39 million Californians. In these uncertain times, taking a few minutes to visit www.claimit.ca.govcould mean reconnecting you or your loved ones with money that's rightfully yours," stated Controller Cohen. "I want to thank Assemblymember Valencia for authoring HR 79 to help raise awareness about California's financial lost and found."

Speaker Rivas commends Assemblymember Valencia for recognizing this important program, and urges all Californians to visit SCO's ClaimIt.ca.govwebsite to learn more about and search for their unclaimed property.