Georgia Money Match: Who Gets an Automatic Unclaimed Property Check

Georgia’s new “Money Match” law lets the state mail some unclaimed property checks automatically — no claim form, no paperwork. But the automatic checks only cover cash property worth $500 or less with an exact match against state income-tax records. Everything else, including all property over $500, still requires filing a claim, which you can always do for free directly with the state.

What SB 403 actually does

Senate Bill 403 was signed on May 7, 2026 and took effect July 1, 2026. It changes Georgia’s unclaimed property program in four ways:

1. Automatic checks for small cash property.For cash property of $500 or less, when the owner’s name and address exactly match state income-tax records, the Department of Revenue mails a check automatically — no claim needed.
2. A probate shortcut for small heir claims.Heir claims of $7,500 or less can skip a probate court order when all heirs agree, the deceased person’s debts are settled, and no probate case is pending.
3. A tax offset. Payouts are applied to any outstanding Georgia tax liability first; the remainder is released to the owner.
4. Delayed publication of securities.Securities-type property isn’t published until the DOR actually receives it.

The first provision gets the headlines, but its reach is narrower than most coverage suggests. Here’s who actually qualifies.

Who gets an automatic check

The DOR can only auto-mail a check when all threeconditions hold: the property is cash, it’s worth $500 or less, and the name and address on the unclaimed property record exactly match what’s on file in your Georgia income-tax records. The tax-record match is the point — it’s how the state verifies your identity and current address without a claim form.

Why most property still needs a claim

Georgia holds over $3.3 billionin unclaimed property — uncashed paychecks, dormant bank accounts, insurance benefits, deposits, stocks, and safe-deposit contents. Money Match only automates the small, clean-match slice of that. Anything over $500, anything that isn’t cash, any record where the name or address doesn’t line up with tax records, and every heir or business claim still goes through the normal claim process.

That’s not a reason to be discouraged — the process works, and it’s free when you file directly with the state at gaclaims.unclaimedproperty.com. A complete claim package (signed form, notarized signature, government ID, proof of address or ownership) typically pays out in 30–90 days. Our free claim guide walks through every step.

How to check for property above the $500 band

The auto-return band is exactly where you don’tneed to do anything. The question worth two minutes of your time is whether the state is holding something larger for you — an old insurance benefit, a dormant account, a forgotten deposit. Searching is free and takes about two minutes:

• Our free search— same DOR data, with already-claimed records filtered out, no account required.
• The official state portal — the source of record, where you can also file your claim.
• MissingMoney.com — the free national portal, useful if you’ve lived in other states.

There’s no deadline — the state holds property until it’s claimed — but there’s also no reason to leave it sitting.

The heir shortcut: claims of $7,500 or less

Before SB 403, heirs often needed a probate court order even for small amounts, which could cost more in court fees and time than the property was worth. Now, for claims of $7,500 or less, heirs can skip the probate order when three things are true: all heirs agree, the deceased person’s debts are settled, and no probate case is pending.

Heirs still need the core documentation — a certified death certificate and proof of relationship such as birth or marriage certificates. For larger estates, or when the conditions above aren’t met, the traditional route (letters testamentary or letters of administration) still applies. Our guide to claiming a deceased relative’s unclaimed money covers both paths.

The tax-offset rule

One quieter provision: if you owe Georgia back taxes, your unclaimed property payout is applied to that liability first, and only the remainder is released to you. This applies whether the money arrives as an automatic Money Match check or through a regular claim. If a check arrives smaller than the amount listed in the database, an offset is one likely explanation — the DOR can confirm the details.

A real DOR check vs. a fake one

Money Match means some Georgians will now receive a genuine, unexpected check from the state — which is exactly the scenario scammers imitate. The distinction is simple:

• A real Money Match check asks for nothing.You don’t pay a fee, confirm bank details, buy gift cards, or call a number to “release” the funds. You just deposit it.
• A fake “state check” always has a hook— a processing fee, a request to send part of the money back, or a demand for your account numbers or Social Security number over the phone.

If you’re unsure about anything that arrives in the mail, don’t use the phone number printed on it. Call the Georgia DOR Unclaimed Property line directly at (855) 329-9863, or read our guide on how to spot an unclaimed property scam.