Treasurer Garrity: More than $20M in unclaimed property coming to Pa.

WILKES-BARRE — Treasurer Stacy Garrity this week announced that Pennsylvania will receive more than $20 million in unclaimed property following a settlement that concludes the landmark unclaimed property case decided in Pennsylvania’s favor by the U.S. Supreme Court in February 2023.

“This is a huge win for Pennsylvania consumers, and the right standard has been set for the future,” Garrity said. “The U.S. Supreme Court agreed with us that these checks should be returned to the states where they were purchased, and this settlement is the first step in getting that money back into the right hands.”

SCOTUS unanimously ruled in favor of the Pennsylvania Treasury Department in Delaware v. Pennsylvania et al, finding that Delaware improperly received uncashed “official checks” purchased in other states as unclaimed property from MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc., a provider of money transfer and bill payment services.

Uncashed MoneyGram official checks will now be escheated to the states in which they were purchased.

The total amount collected by Pennsylvania includes $6,256,096 remitted to Treasury by MoneyGram in April 2024, covering report years 2023 and 2024, along with about $14 million approved in the settlement, covering dates back to 2011.

“This settlement concludes nearly eight years of litigation — and it’s a lawsuit that Pennsylvania should never have been compelled to initiate,” Garrity said. “The good news is that Pennsylvanians who did business with MoneyGram will have a real chance to be reunited with their money — as will people in every state where MoneyGram sells its products. Delaware’s refusal to amicably resolve this dispute when it was first raised in 2014 will result in the payment of over $190 million to the litigant states.”

Anyone who bought a MoneyGram official check in Pennsylvania since Jan. 1, 2011, that was never cashed can reach out to the Pennsylvania Treasury Department with evidence of their purchase to file a claim. Because the records received from MoneyGram include limited information, the best evidence would be a receipt showing the amount, the location where it was purchased, and the date it was purchased. Contact information is available at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.

According to the Federal Disposition Act, uncashed money orders and similar instruments are to be escheated to the state in which they were originally purchased.

Pennsylvania argued that MoneyGram official checks were a financial instrument to which the FDA was applicable, while Delaware argued that they should be escheated to the state where the company is incorporated. SCOTUS sided with Pennsylvania.

This was the first significant decision regarding unclaimed property law decided by SCOTUS in almost 30 years.

Pennsylvania is the only state that was directly represented by its unclaimed property administrator, Treasurer Garrity.

Pa. expands unemployment compensation access through community partnerships

The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) this week announced that the Shapiro Administration has continued on its work to eliminate barriers to Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation (UC) system via a network of community-based organizations that received money from the Commonwealth to eliminate those barriers, and help Pennsylvania workers learn about, apply for and, if eligible, receive UC benefits.

In 2022, Pennsylvania was one of seven states to receive a Navigator grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). L&I used the funding to award grants totaling more than $2.5 million to seven Pennsylvania organizations engaged in the work of eliminating barriers.

Pennsylvanians experiencing job loss can always contact L&I directly for assistance through the Department’s UC helpline (888-313-7284), by email (UCHelp@pa.gov) or the live chat service.

Community-based organizations are an alternative option that offer Pennsylvanians assistance with their UC claims and questions, and many offer assistance in multiple languages.

“Ensuring that every Pennsylvanian has access to Unemployment Compensation benefits is not just a goal — it’s a commitment to supporting our workforce during challenging times,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “Through our partnerships with community-based organizations and the support from the Navigator grant, we’re breaking down barriers and making sure that help reaches those who need it most. This collaborative effort reflects our dedication to empowering all individuals in the Commonwealth, regardless of their circumstances.”

When he took office, Gov. Josh Shapiro promised to make overhauling the UC system a priority. With bipartisan support in the 2023-24 budget, L&I leveraged the Service Improvement and Infrastructure Fund (SIIF) to hire more than 380 additional UC interviewers to staff service centers and answer calls.

The impact of that investment is clear: wait times for phone assistance have decreased dramatically, and Pennsylvanians are once again receiving the efficient, timely customer service they deserve.

L&I distributed more than $1.7 billion in UC benefits in 2023 to about 326,000 Pennsylvanians — all of whom experienced the loss of a job or work hours through no fault of their own. In July 2024, L&I received 46,948 claims and distributed UC benefits totaling $193,204,125 to 109,514 eligible claimants.

In July, L&I served:

• 111,689 individuals through the UC helpline at 888-313-7284.

• 8,228 individuals through the UC Live Chat service.

• 16,351 individuals through email.

Sen. Brown: Collaboration, continued research and development critical to combating Alzheimer’s

Sen. Rosemary Brown, R-Est Stroudsburg, this week said more than 6 million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and each day, nearly 3,000 patients may progress from mild to moderate dementia due to the disease.

Here in Pennsylvania, Brown said there are 280,000 individuals aged 65 and older who are living with this debilitating disease, and unfortunately that number is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.

“These statistics are startling and speak to the dire need to address this public health crisis and ensure patients have access to approved Alzheimer’s treatments,” Brown said.

World Alzheimer’s Month is in September and Brown said it’s crucial to highlight the ongoing efforts to combat this disease.

“Many of us have been impacted by Alzheimer’s in some way, shape or form whether that’s having a loved one diagnosed with the disease, or knowing someone who is a caretaker or provider for someone,” Brown said. “We all know the physical, emotional and financial toll that managing this disease can take.”

Brown said she introduced Senate Bill 840, which has passed the Senate and moved to the House Health Committee, to improve the way in which Pennsylvania addresses Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD).

“I encourage you to reach out to the House Health Committee and request passage of this important legislation prior to the end of the 2023-24 legislative session,” Brown said. “We must support these thousands of patients and their loved ones and encourage continued research and development so that Alzheimer’s patients and their families can receive the best care against this progressive disease.”

Rep. Watro to host Senior Expo Sept. 19 at Laurel Mall

Rep. Dane Watro, R-Hazleton, will host his annual Senior Citizens Expo on Thursday, Sept. 19.

The free event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside Laurel Mall, 106 Laurel Mall Road, Hazle Township.

“There are many worthwhile programs and services available to seniors in our area,” said Watro. “My expo makes it easier and more convenient to learn of this information by bringing everyone together in one place. I encourage seniors and their caregivers to make plans to join us and take advantage of this opportunity.”

The expo will feature exhibitors from nonprofit agencies; local, state and federal governments; and area businesses that will provide information on a wide range of topics, including health care, insurance, nutrition and exercise, fire safety, financial planning, fraud protection, government and personal safety.

Free health screenings will also be offered, courtesy of area health care providers, including glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure. Please note the blood and glucose testing will be performed starting at 9 a.m. Participants are reminded to refrain from eating after midnight.

In addition, participants are invited to bring used eyeglasses for donation and any old or unwanted prescription drugs for safe disposal.

Any seniors who need special accommodations to attend the expo should call Watro’s district office in Hazleton at 70-453-1344 for assistance.

PLCB accepting applications for ready-to-drink cocktail permits

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) has begun accepting applications from retail liquor licensees and distributors and importing distributors of malt and brewed beverages for ready-to-drink cocktail (RTDC) permits.

Thanks to our bipartisan budget, you will soon be able to go get ready-to-drink cocktails — some made right here in Pennsylvania — at places like grocery stores and gas stations,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Act 86 of 2024 created a new RTDC permit, which will authorize permittees to sell spirits-based RTDC ranging from 0.5% alcohol beverage by volume (ABV) to 12.5% ABV in original containers up to 16 ounces for off-premises consumption (to go).

RTDC permits will be available to retail liquor licensees eligible for wine expanded permits (restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, convenience stores, etc.) and to distributors and importing distributors of malt and brewed beverages, all of which must be certified in the Responsible Alcohol Management Program.

The PLCB cannot grant licensees the authority to sell RTDC until Monday, September 16, the day the new law takes effect. Between now and Sept. 16, the PLCB will review hundreds to thousands of expected applications, aiming to issue RTDC permit authority for early qualifying applicants beginning on Sept. 16.

The initial application fee for a RTDC permit is $2,500 per establishment, and the annual renewal fee is 2% of the cost of RTDC purchased for off-premises consumption, whether purchased from the PLCB or licensed Pennsylvania manufacturers.

Licensees interested in applying for a RTDC permit can do so through PLCB+, the PLCB’s online licensing and regulatory platform.