Florida Unclaimed Property Program Hits $88M in February Payouts

Tampa–St. Petersburg area received $23.8M, the highest regional total in the state.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Florida's Chief Financial Officer announced that the state's unclaimed property program returned a record $88 million to residents and businesses in February, with the Tampa–St. Petersburg region receiving the largest share at $23.8 million. The funds came from forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, old insurance proceeds, and valuables from abandoned safe-deposit boxes.

Why it matters

The unclaimed property program is an important way for Floridians to recover lost or forgotten assets. This record-breaking month highlights the significant amounts of money that can be reclaimed, especially in major metro areas like Tampa. It also serves as a reminder for residents to regularly check the state's online portal to see if they have any unclaimed funds.

The details

The $88 million in February payouts set a new monthly record for the state's Division of Unclaimed Property. The Tampa–St. Petersburg region received the largest share at $23.8 million, followed by Miami with $18.8 million and Orlando with $14.4 million. Other sizable payouts went to West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Fort Myers–Naples, Pensacola, and Tallahassee, among other cities.

  • The $88 million in unclaimed funds were returned in February 2026.
  • The previous monthly record for the unclaimed property program was set in February 2026.

The players

Blaise Ingoglia

Florida's Chief Financial Officer, who touted the milestone payout in a statement.

Division of Unclaimed Property

The state agency that handles the unclaimed property program and is responsible for returning the lost assets to their rightful owners.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Floridians can check for unclaimed accounts for free through the state's online portal at FLTreasureHunt.gov, where they can search by name and start a claim directly on the site.

The takeaway

This record-breaking month for Florida's unclaimed property program highlights the significant amounts of money that can be reclaimed by residents, especially in major metro areas like Tampa. It serves as an important reminder for Floridians to regularly check the state's online portal to see if they have any forgotten assets waiting to be returned.