Congratulations on your prize! Start by signing the back of your ticket, clearly printing your name, address, and phone number. When you play or buyonlinethrough the PA Lottery, most prizes are automatically paid to your Lottery account and you canrequest a withdrawalusing a variety of methods such as ACH.
Where do I claim my prize?
If you are claiming a lottery prize of $600 or more, you are required to complete and submit a Claim Form. There are several ways to obtain a claim form:
- Download and print a Claim Form:(English) or (Spanish).
- Visit a PA Lottery retailer and ask for a Claim Form.
- Visit a PA Lottery Area Office and ask for a Claim Form.
- Download a printable Winner's Brochure:(English) or (Spanish).
Prizes up to $2,500 may be claimed at a Pennsylvania Lottery retailer. Many prizes can be paid immediately if a retailer is able to pay by cash, check or money order. If they cannot, please try a different retailer or claim your prize by mail after reviewing the instructions below.
Prizes more than $2,500 can only be paid by the Lottery. To file a claim for a prize worth more than $2,500, winners may choose to mail a completed Claim Form along with their signed ticket to the address on the form. If you file a claim by mail, be sure to keep a copy of your claim form and make a copy of the front and back of your ticket for your records prior to mailing it.
Players also have the option to claim their ticket worth more than $2,500 in person at a Lottery Area Office. Currently Lottery Headquarters is closed to the public, but the area offices are open to the public between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Winners can visit these Area Offices to file a claim. Click here to find an office location near you.
It’s important to note that certain prizes must be claimed in person at Lottery Headquarters in Middletown. These include a Powerball® or Mega Millions® jackpot or top prizes; an annuity top or second-level prize for Cash4Life®, or an annuity prize for a Scratch-Off game. For questions about prize claims, please contact our Claims Department, toll-free, at 1-800-692-7481.
How long until my check arrives?
Most prize checks will arrive in between four and six weeks after your claim has been received at Lottery Headquarters and validated. Some claims submitted in December cannot be processed until January, so those prize payments and tax forms will be issued in the same calendar year.
How long do I have to collect a prize?
Remember to check your tickets and claim prizes promptly! Here are a few friendly reminders:
- Scratch-Offs prizes expire one year from the game’s end-sale date, listed here.
- Draw Game prizes expire one year from the drawing date.
- Fast Play prizes expire one year from the ticket’s purchase date.
Note: After 180 days, Fast Play and Draw Game tickets worth more than $100 cannot be claimed at a retailer. They must be submitted to the Lottery with a Claim Form in order to be redeemed.
How do I claim a prize by mail or if I live out of state?
It’s easy to claim a Pennsylvania Lottery prize by mail. Sign and clearly fill out the information requested on the back of your winning ticket and make a copy of it, front and back, for your records. If the prize is over $600, fill out a Claim Form and submit it along with your ticket to:
- Pennsylvania Lottery
ATTN: CLAIMS
PO BOX 8671
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8671
You do not have to live in Pennsylvania to play a game or win a prize, but the Pennsylvania Lottery can only pay prizes on winning tickets that it has sold. This applies to multi-state games such as Powerball®, Mega Millions® or Cash4Life®, because each state manages its own prize pool. A jackpot or annuity prize must be claimed in person at Lottery headquarters in Middletown.
Can a group claim and share a prize?
It’s fun to share! Individual prize checks can be issued, but only for prizes of $5,000 or more where individual shares of the prize are $500 or more. Winners must indicate on their Claim Forms that they want individual checks.Group claims will also require each group member to complete some additional paperwork. For further information, please contact our Claims Department, toll-free, at 1-800-692-7481.
Are Lottery prizes taxable?
Yes, Lottery prizes are taxable income under federal and state law. For prizes over $600, you will receive a W-2G form from the Lottery to report yourwinnings and submit with your tax returns.
Your winnings are subject to the Commonwealth’s 3.07 percent state personal income tax and federal taxes, 24 percent. The Pennsylvania Lottery automatically withholds taxes for winnings more than $5,000. Winners will receive a W-2G tax form in the mail for all prizes won that are over $600, which will show if any taxes are withheld. Winners may use the form when filing taxes.
If you win PA Lottery prizes online, download and complete a W-2G form available in your account. Keep copies of all forms for your tax records. Winners with questions about their individual tax liability should consult a qualified tax professional prior to filing their tax return.
Lost your W-2G form? Visit www.palottery.com/w2g
Finally, on prizes over $5,000, the Lottery will withhold the minimum amount of applicable taxes before sending you your prize check. Your total tax liability depends on income, deductions, exemptions and other factors, so please consult with a qualified tax professional when filing your tax returns.
Can winners remain anonymous?
No. Pennsylvania Lottery winners cannot remain anonymous. However, only certain claimant information can be released. This assures the public that Lottery winners are real people and that the Lottery operates with integrity and transparency.
Players who voluntarily share their winning story and become part of Lottery’sWinners’ Circlespecifically give the Lottery permission to share their photo, name and story.
