\ State Controller Malia M. Cohen today announced that special districts from throughout California will be reunited with a combined $181,728 in unclaimed property. Controller Cohen presented an unclaimed property check during her remarks at the California Special Districts Association Annual (CSDA) Conference & Exhibitor Showcase in Monterey.
California’s Unclaimed Property program is administered by the State Controller’s Office (SCO), which currently safeguards unclaimed properties worth a total of $14 billion. Since 1959, this consumer protection program has been designed to ensure businesses and other entities return properties belonging to a customer with whom they have lost contact. Common types of unclaimed property include bank accounts, stocks, bonds, uncashed checks, insurance benefits, and safe deposit box contents.
“Reuniting Californians — and the communities that serve them — with their rightful assets is a core mission of the State Controller’s Office,” said Controller Cohen. “I am proud to highlight that commitment here today with our special district partners. As California’s chief fiscal officer, I remain focused on working with local governments to strengthen financial stewardship and ensure resources reach every corner of our state so that we can continue to move California forward so that everyone thrives.”
“When state and local leaders partner together, California’s communities win,” stated California Special Districts Association CEO Neil McCormick. “Controller Cohen’s proactive efforts are helping our local service specialists make every dollar work for its intended purpose.”
Controller Cohen urges all Californians to visit SCO’s claimit.ca.gov website to learn more about and search for their unclaimed property. Please note: The Unclaimed Property Division (UPD) of the SCO is upgrading its system to better serve the public. This transition will allow the SCO to more efficiently and quickly reunite Californians with their unclaimed property. The UPD website will be unavailable from August 20, 2025 until September 4, 2025, while we transition our system.
The CSDA Annual Conference is held August 25 – 28 in Monterey to convene special district leaders from across the state to participate in targeted breakout sessions tailored to address the most relevant trends and topics for special districts.
The California Special Districts Association is a not-for-profit association that was formed in 1969 to promote good governance and improved core local services through professional development, advocacy, and other services for all types of independent special districts.
CSDA provides education and training, insurance programs, legal advice, industry-wide litigation and public relations support, legislative advocacy, capital improvement and equipment funding, collateral design services, and, most importantly, current information that is crucial to a special district’s management and operational effectiveness.