HUNDREDS of Northern Rivers residents could be owed money they don\u2019t even know exists, with millions of dollars sitting unclaimed in a NSW government register.<\/p>\n
Across the Northern Coast, more than 41,000 unclaimed items worth about $12.4 million are waiting to be claimed.<\/p>\n
Unclaimed money is cash people are legally entitled to but have not received, often because businesses have been unable to locate them.<\/p>\n
Funds commonly go unclaimed when people change their name or address, lose paperwork, or when estates are unaware of money belonging to deceased relatives.<\/p>\n
The unclaimed money register, managed by Revenue NSW, includes uncashed cheques, refunds, dividends, overpayments and other amounts owed to individuals.<\/p>\n
Statewide, almost $300 million is currently held in the register across more than 800,000 items linked to NSW addresses.<\/p>\n
Last year, more than $21 million was returned to its rightful owners after claims were lodged.<\/p>\n
Recent system upgrades have simplified the claims process, including faster verification and stronger integration with Service NSW.<\/p>\n
The timeframe for businesses to report unclaimed money has also been reduced, helping ensure funds are transferred and returned sooner.<\/p>\n
Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said millions of dollars belonging to local residents remained unclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is over $12 million sitting in a vault that belongs right here in the Northern Rivers community,\u201d Ms Saffin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want that money out of government accounts and back into your pockets where it can actually make a difference,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Claims can be lodged through Revenue NSW by confirming identity and connection to the funds, with most processed within about a month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
HUNDREDS of Northern Rivers residents could be owed money they don\u2019t even know exists, with millions of dollars sitting unclaimed in a NSW government register. Across the Northern Coast, more than 41,000 unclaimed items worth about $12.4 million are waiting to be claimed. Unclaimed money is cash people are legally entitled to but have not […]<\/p>\n