Several small businesses in Flushing, Queens received checks for previously unclaimed money during a visit by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
DiNapoli joined U.S. Rep. Grace Meng and New York City Council Member Sandra Ung to present the payments during a visit to the neighborhood around Lunar New Year.
The checks were part of the state’s unclaimed funds program, which returns money that people or businesses have lost track of over time.
Examples include forgotten utility deposits, old bank accounts, uncashed checks, trust funds, or unused gift cards.
During the visit, three local businesses received funds.
An insurance brokerage on Main Street received nearly $24,000 in unclaimed money. Sunny Friendly Medical PC received about $8,800, and East Buffet & Restaurant received $4,650.
State officials say the program returns billions of dollars to New Yorkers each year.
In 2025 alone, the comptroller’s office returned more than $580 million to rightful owners. So far in 2026, the office has already returned more than $105 million.
According to the comptroller’s office, more than $1 billion in unclaimed funds is currently waiting to be claimed by individuals and businesses in Queens.
Officials say the state returns more than $2 million in lost money each day and can track financial assets dating back to the 1940s.
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