Ohio State Fair attendees recover $675,000 in unclaimed funds

Attendees at the 2026 Ohio State Fair discovered more than $675,451 in unclaimed funds through a dedicated outreach kiosk provided by the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Unclaimed Funds. During the 12-day event, approximately 1,561 visitors initiated claims, with an average discovery of $432.70 per person. Notable individual finds included one attendee locating $47,000 and another discovering approximately $40,000.

The initiative is part of a broader statewide effort to help residents reconnect with forgotten assets. This campaign has contributed to a 50% increase in submitted claims for fiscal year 2026 compared to the previous year. To expedite the process, the Division has implemented several improvements, such as eliminating the need for W-9 tax forms and notarized claim forms, while adding nearly two dozen staff members to assist with processing.

In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the Division paid out more than 182,000 claims, marking a 168% increase over the previous year. Over the past five years, the Division's presence at the state fair has assisted attendees in uncovering a total of $2.4 million in unclaimed property.