Money You're Owed
Before you stress over another bill, make sure you're not leaving your own money on the table. Every year, billions in unclaimed cash, refundable tax credits, and benefits go unclaimed, not because people don't qualify, but because they don't know or the process feels confusing. This page is the honest, no-catch map to all of it: what's real, where to look, and how to avoid the scams that prey on people who need help. Everything we link is free.
Start with the free checklist
Twelve places to check for money you may already be owed, each with a direct link to the official free tool. No email, no login.
Open the free checklist →The guides
Trusted free tools (bookmark these)
- NCOA BenefitsCheckUp — screen ~2,000 programs in 10 minutes (ZIP only).
- USAGov Benefit Finder — official federal benefit screener.
- usa.gov/unclaimed-money — find unclaimed property and refunds.
- irs.gov/eitc — check the Earned Income Tax Credit.
- Dial 2-1-1 (United Way) — local rent, utility, and food help.
Then keep more of what you have
Money you recover goes further when your bills are lower. See which ones you can cut, free.
Open the free budget tool →Want the free bill-lowering letters too? Get the free Letter Pack →
Frequently asked questions
Is "free money you're owed" a scam?
No, when it means claiming money you already qualify for through official free sources: unclaimed property, the refundable EITC, and benefit programs. It is a scam when someone contacts you offering a personal "government grant" and asks for a fee or your bank login. The government does not give free cash for personal bills.
What's the fastest way to find money I'm owed?
Run a free benefit screen at BenefitsCheckUp (about 2,000 programs in 10 minutes, ZIP only), search unclaimed property at usa.gov/unclaimed-money, and check the EITC at irs.gov/eitc. Our free checklist links you to each one in order.