Things They Don’t Tell You: The Government Could Be Holding Unpaid Wages From One of Your Old Jobs

You could be owed money from a current or former job and not even know it.

When the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division investigates an employer for wage violations, it may recover unpaid minimum wages, overtime pay, or other back wages for affected employees.

The problem is that some workers have moved, changed phone numbers, or left the company by the time the money is recovered. If the Department of Labor cannot locate them, their money may be held while the agency continues trying to find them.

How to Check for Unpaid Wages

Checking is free and only takes a few minutes:

Visit the official Workers Owed Wages database

Search for your current or former employer by name or keyword.

  1. Select the correct company from the results
  2. Enter your first and last name.
  3. Follow the instructions to submit a claim if a match is found.

Try searching every company you have worked for, including businesses that closed, changed names, or were bought by another company.

Don’t Wait Too Long

The Department of Labor generally holds unclaimed back wages for three years while attempting to locate the worker. After that period, the money must be transferred to the U.S. Treasury. That is why it is worth checking now instead of assuming someone will contact you. The Department of Labor confirms this process on its official website.⁠

Watch Out for Scams

You do not have to pay a company to search the database or claim money through this program. Be careful with anyone who unexpectedly contacts you asking for payment, banking information, gift cards, or access to your accounts.

If you need assistance, call the Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-487-9243.

The Bottom Line

This is one of those resources people rarely hear about. A quick search could reveal unpaid wages recovered from an employer you worked for months or even years ago. There is no guarantee that your name will appear, but checking is free—and the money may already belong to you.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. Eligibility and claim results are determined by the U.S. Department of Labor.

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