INDIANAPOLIS — If you need extra cash to pay off bills, check to see if you have any money sitting with the government.
Agencies wind up with your money or belongings because they can't find you. Reasons might include a move, or possibly a name change.
The first site to check is the Department of Labor's Workers Owed Wages.
When the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division finds labor law violations, the group said they often get unpaid wages on behalf of workers.
Right now, more than 1,600 Indiana workers are owed more than $1.2 million in back wages recovered by the Wage and Hour Division, according to the agency.
Lacey Houle with the Wage and Hour Division said violations can arise for a few reasons.
"Maybe some overtime violations or minimum wage violations, or not being paid for all hours worked," Houle said.
To check for back wages, you need to search their site by employer.
Here is a list of employers who paid the department back wages in Indiana. The companies' cases are considered closed and in compliance with FLSA law:
- Max's Grab and Go - La Porte County - 2 workers - $3,183.18
- Mexico City Grill (Emerson) - Marion County- 16 workers - $26,893.80
- Heal at Home - Marion County - 60 workers - $39,558.46
- The Legend Classic Irvington Cafe - Marion - 7 workers - $6,970.68
- Amenity Home Care, Inc. - Marion - 4 workers- $633.70
- Tu Escuelita - Marion County -6 workers - $2,804.55
- Protection Plus Inc - Marion County- 101 workers - $74,428.46
- Unique Hab- Marion County - 77 workers - $156,756.42
- La Quinta Inn & Suites - Marion work - 6 workers - $4,169.79
- La Canasta Grocery - Marion County- 12 workers- $58,727.52
- Heartland Ambulance Service - Marion County - 7 workers - $10,060.00
- Protection Plus INC. - Marion County - 2 workers - $1,572.48
- Marshall-Starke Development Center - Marshall County - 7 workers - $5.13
- Stone Belt ARC, Inc. - Monroe County - 8 workers - $828.57
- Ohana Sushi Grill - Orange County - 49 workers - $24,818.41
- L & W Auto Salvage (L&W Auto Parts) - Porter County - 11 workers - $3,684.40
- Valparaiso Car Care Transmission - Porter County - 19 workers -$15,860.50
- Clark's Speedymart - Porter County- 8 workers - $10,376.90
- The Journey Home - Randolph - 2 workers - $5,715.50
- Logan Industries - St Joseph County - 13 workers - $1,363.05
- Hoosierland Excavating - St Joseph County - 3 workers- $1,533.13
- Los Tres Caminos - Vanderburgh County - 5 workers - $82,923.99
- Help at Home - Vanderburgh County - 12 workers - $1,657.20
- Horizon Healthcare Management - Vanderburgh County - 8 workers - $1,661.62
- Ambulance Management Services LTD - Vigo County - 4 workers - $685.90
- El Maguey Salem - Washington County - 3 workers - $220.16
- Affordable Home Care - A&D - Signal Health - Wayne County - 51 workers - $2,656.19
Wages are held for three years before getting turned over to the Department of Treasury.
Houle added it is important for employees, in general, to check their paystub on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
The second place to search for cash - and even belongings - is Indiana Unclaimed.
The state, too, can wind up with wages as a well as closed-out bank accounts and refunds.
Finally, if you've lived elsewhere, search the national site for unclaimed property.
Trying to put money that is yours into your pocket.