About Unclaimed Money
The City of Atascadero has a policy for unclaimed money under the authority of Government Code Sections 50050 through 50056. In the event of any conflict between the provision of the Government Code and the provisions of this Policy, the provisions of the Government Code shall prevail.
Unclaimed Money consists of money which is not the property of the City, but remains in the City Treasury or in the official custody of City officers for three (3) or more years without a claim being filed by the legal owner(s). Common sources include accounts payable, payroll, vendor payments, customer refunds and deposits.
Annually, a register of Unclaimed Checks will be generated or updated and reviewed. Eligible items will voided and reissued when possible. The City Treasurer may cause a notice to be published once a week, for two successive weeks, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Atascadero, and on its website.
An individual or business may file a claim at any time until the date on which the money becomes the property of the City as provided in this Policy. Claimants will be required to complete an Unclaimed Property Request Form, and supply supporting documentation to establish the claim. Examples of claims and the types of supporting documentation that may be required include:
- Individual Claimant – Claims initiated by the owner or the parent/custodian of the owner of the property.
- Completed and signed Unclaimed Property Request Form.
- Copy of any official form used for identification, such as a driver's license, military identification card, or passport.
- Proof of reported address associated with the unclaimed check. The following documents are acceptable: pay stub, tax return, mortgage, telephone or utility bill, bank or credit card statement.
- If the claim is initiated by the parent/custodian of the claimant, proof of that relationship.
- Business Claimant – The claim must be made by an authorized officer or official claiming on behalf of the business or corporation, partnership, professional association, non-profit organization, government entity, or private organization.
- Completed and signed Unclaimed Property Request Form.
- Copy of official identification for each officer or official, such as a driver's license.
- Federal tax identification number.
- Business card of the authorized officer or official.
- Proof of the business' reported address associated with the unclaimed check, such as tax return documents, a mortgage, rent, telephone, or utility bill, or a bank statement.
- If a company or business has dissolved or changed names additional information may be requested.
- Heir or Trustee of Deceased Property Owner – Claims initiated by the authorized lawful heir, beneficiary, duly appointed representative or trustee of the deceased payee's claim.
- Completed and signed Unclaimed Property Request Form.
- Death certificate of the deceased owner or owners of the property.
- Copy of any official form used for identification for each heir, such as a driver's license, military identification card, or passport.
- Proof of the deceased owner's relationship to the claim holder.
- Proof that no other person has a superior right to the interest of the decedent in the described property.
All claims made by heirs, beneficiaries, duly appointed representatives or trustees of a deceased payee may be subject to review and approval by the City Attorney.
If a claim is approved, the claim will be paid by check and the original outstanding check will be removed from the Unclaimed Check report. Any claims paid under this Policy shall be without interest. The City of Atascadero retains the right to reject any claim in which entitlement has not been established to the City's satisfaction. Unless otherwise required by law, upon unclaimed money becoming the property of the City of Atascadero, it shall be removed from the Unclaimed Checks liability account and recognized as miscellaneous revenue.