COLUMBUS – Thousands of attendees at this year’s Ohio State Fair took the first step to reconnect with their missing money thanks to outreach and educational efforts of the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Unclaimed Funds.
The Fair officially concluded this evening.
Throughout the event, the Division had representatives available at a dedicated kiosk located in the agency’s ‘Exploration Commerce’ booth to assist fairgoers in uncovering forgotten money.
During the 12-day event, visitors received hands-on support to search for funds and file claims for any money discovered.
By the time the Fair ended, approximately 1,561 visitors had initiated claims totaling $675,451.70, with fairgoers discovering an average of $432.70 in missing money. One individual discovered $47,000 in unclaimed funds, while another fairgoer discovered approximately $40,000 in missing money.
“The Ohio State Fair gives us a unique opportunity to meet people face-to-face and help them discover money they didn’t know they had,” said Akil Hardy, Supt. of the Division of Unclaimed Funds.
“Seeing the excitement when someone learns they have funds waiting for them is truly meaningful. It’s a reminder that the process can be straightforward, and we’re here to make it as easy as possible for every Ohioan.”
This annual outreach initiative comes at a pivotal moment for the Division, coinciding with a statewide media campaign featuring Lt. Governor Jim Tressel encouraging Ohioans to check for unclaimed funds.
The campaign launched last month during a historically busy period for the Division, with submitted claims increasing by roughly 50% in FY2026 from FY2025.
The Division is not only working to raise awareness about how to claim unclaimed funds, but it’s also making important behind-the-scenes improvements to help Ohioans receive their money faster.
Several enhancements are underway to remove barriers that can slow down the review and approval of claims. These updates include ending the requirement for a W-9 tax form, removing the need for notarized claim forms, and adding nearly two dozen intermittent and full-time staff dedicated to processing claims.
As a result of these efforts, the Division paid more than 182,000 claims in the most recent fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, which represents a 168% increase over the previous year.
The Division’s presence at the fair has become an annual tradition, giving visitors from across the state an easy, on‑site opportunity to search for unclaimed funds with help from knowledgeable staff.
Over the past five years, the Division has helped Ohioans find $2.4 million during the Ohio State Fair alone.
For those who were unable to stop by the Division’s kiosk at the fair, the search does not end there. Ohioans are invited to check for unclaimed funds 24/7 by following these steps:
- Search for unclaimed funds and generate a claim form by visiting unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov.
- Review and gather the required documentation.
- Submit the claim form and any documents by mail or upload them directly through the system.
About the Division of Unclaimed Funds
The Division of Unclaimed Funds is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio’s chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans.
We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at com.ohio.gov.