Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Pa. legislature clears Ciresi’s bill to expand access to simplified unclaimed property claims, further help heirs following the death of a loved one

Pa. legislature clears Ciresi’s bill to expand access to simplified unclaimed property claims, further help heirs following the death of a loved one

Rep. Joseph Ciresi    November 19, 2025

HARRISBURG, Nov. 19 – Legislation that would make it easier and less expensive for Pennsylvanians to claim property that is rightfully theirs — and reduce the financial burden following the death of a loved one — is on its way to being signed into law, according to the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery.

Once signed into law, Ciresi’s H.B. 1176 will: 

  • Increase the amount of unclaimed property that heirs can claim from the Pennsylvania Treasury using a notarized relationship affidavit from $11,000 up to $20,000.
  • Raise the amount a financial institution may release to a family member of a deceased individual from $10,000 to $20,000 if the family member presents a receipt verifying funeral expenses have been paid.
  • Redirect the estates of decedents who die with no will and no heirs to an endowed community fund near the place of the decedent’s last residence.

“While Pennsylvania’s unclaimed property vault containing more than $4 billion sits there waiting for people to claim what’s rightfully theirs, the process to do so is sometimes too challenging or too expensive for people’s heirs to claim it,” Ciresi said. “It’s because the legislature hasn’t updated the $11,000 limit for simplified heir claims for more than 20 years, since 2002. I am delighted my House and Senate colleagues understood the wisdom of this legislation and for Pennsylvania to keep up with the times.

“Expanding eligibility for this simpler process would allow more Pennsylvanians to use it and receive money that’s rightfully theirs with less cost, less paperwork and less delay,” he said.

The legislation included language from state Rep. Tim Bonner’s H.B. 167 and state Rep. Torren Ecker’s H.B. 1091 when it passed the PA House last month. 

The legislation builds on Ciresi’s previous successful bill, Act 65 of 2024, which expanded who could claim unclaimed property by a notarized sworn affidavit to include grandchildren and their descendants, nieces and nephews and their descendants, and grandparents of the deceased.

“This is the kind of no-nonsense, bipartisan legislation Pennsylvanians want and need, and I am happy that we as a legislature came together to give it to them,” Ciresi said. “I hope we can do more of that in the coming days, months and years for the people of Pennsylvania.”

The bill will now be sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro for his signature.