Lottery Claim Deadlines: How Long Do You Have?

You usually have between six months and a year to claim a lottery prize, depending on the state and the game. The clock starts on the drawing date printed on the ticket, not the day you bought it or the day you noticed you won.

A few examples

In Florida and Texas, draw-game prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing. California also allows 180 days for most draw-game prizes, but gives a full year to claim a Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot. New York allows one year from the drawing date.

Your state's rules apply to tickets bought in your state. A Powerball ticket bought in Florida follows Florida's claim period, even though Powerball is played nationwide.

The cash-option window is shorter

Some lotteries give jackpot winners less time to choose the cash payment than to claim at all. In Florida, a Lotto, Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot winner who wants the cash option must claim within the first 60 days. Miss that and the prize can still be paid, but as an annuity.

Scratch-offs work differently

Instant tickets usually have a deadline tied to the end of the game rather than a drawing date. In Florida, it is 60 days after the scratch-off game officially ends. The lottery publishes end dates for each game.

What happens to unclaimed prizes

After the deadline, the prize is forfeited and the money goes where state law sends it. In Michigan, for example, expired prizes go to the state School Aid Fund.

How to avoid missing it

• Check tickets soon after each drawing.
• Write the deadline down if you cannot claim right away.
• For a large prize, check whether you must claim at a lottery office rather than a store, and plan the trip early.

Related on LotteryCorner

Your state's page lists its claim window and where larger prizes are claimed. To check an older ticket, open the game's results history for the year it was drawn.