The city of Red Bank recently got $4,579 in “unclaimed money” from the state of Tennessee through a program that individual citizens — that’s you — can also access.

Chloé here + I just used the tool and found $26.66 of my money that I didn’t know the state had. It’s only $26, but it ain’t nothing.

In essence, this is free money. This is a chance to get money that is yours but you didn’t know you had. It’s basically like finding a $10 bill in your jean pocket when you finally do laundry.

This is what it looks like when you find money. It looks like the city tried to send money to my old address. | Image: Screenshot, Tennessee Department of Treasury Unclaimed Property Division

Tell me more about this free money

Anyone with a last-known address in Tennessee may have unclaimed money that the state is holding. It could be an old utility deposit you forgot about or an old payroll check that didn’t make it to an address before you moved.

If a company tries to send you the money but it doesn’t make it, that money goes to The Tennessee Department of Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Division.

Then, the state tries to find the rightful owner.

If that person has died, the appropriate family member can claim it. There is no time limit for residents to make claims.

How do I check for this money?

Click here for the state’s unclaimed money search, and from there, click the blue rectangular button that says, “Search for your unclaimed property online.”
For an individual, enter your last name where it says, “Owner name.”
Prove you aren’t a robot.
Next, pick the city you want to search.
Search the list of names to see if your name is there. If it is, click your name and see how much you are owed. If it’s not, you can try to search for another city or last name.
Once you find your money, there’s a short form that asks you for your social security + driver’s license number, along with a bit more basic information.
Type that info in to make your claim.
From there, state officials go through a due diligence process to make sure the right person is claiming the money. Claims can take about eight to 10 weeks to process.

What can you do with $26 in Chattanooga?

It’s enough for:

Two bottles of locally made Hoff Sauce
Eight espressos from Milk & Honey
An adult + child ticket on the Incline Railway
Entrance for two to Point Park
Three day passes for Bike Chattanooga rentals