How to Claim
There are a number of ways to claim lottery prizes in New York, depending on how much you win. The procedure is always simple, but you should know which options are available to you. Find out below how to claim your winnings.
Claim Period
For draw games, you have one year to come forward and claim any prizes you win, regardless of the amount. Remember that if you play a multi-state lottery such as Powerball or Mega Millions in another state, the claim period and procedures may be different. All lottery prizes must be claimed in the same jurisdiction as where the ticket was purchased.
For Scratch-Offs, prizes must be claimed within one year of the announced end date. Whilst a game remains open, this means there is no imminent deadline for coming forward, and you will only know the exact date for final claims once the end of the game has been confirmed.
Prizes of up to $600
For prizes of up to $600, the easiest way to claim is to visit a licensed New York Lottery retailer. There are thousands of locations throughout the state and all you need to do is hand your winning ticket to the retailer.
Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment at any of the NY Lottery’s Customer Service Centers, or mail in your ticket to the following address:
New York Lottery
PO Box 7533
Schenectady
NY 12301-7533
Prizes of more than $600
If you win more than $600, you won’t be able collect your cash from a lottery retailer, but it’s still a simple procedure to get your hands on your money.
You can claim by mail by sending in your ticket to the address in Schenectady above, but you need to make sure you fill in the details on the back and also complete a claim form. It is recommended that you make a copy of the front and back of your ticket, as well as the claim form, and track your progress by using registered mail.
The other option for prizes of more than $600 is to redeem at a local Claim Center or schedule an appointment at one of the NY Lottery’s Customer Service Centers.
To claim a prize at one of these locations, you will need a valid government-issued ID and Social Security number. Valid forms of ID include your passport, driver’s license, certificate of naturalization or citizenship, New York City ID or State Benefit ID, or even your birth certificate with a form of photo ID.
Jackpot Prizes
If you win a Lotto, Mega Millions, Powerball or Cash for Life jackpot, you can choose between taking the money as an annuity or a lump sum. When you make your claim, you have up to 60 days to decide on how you want to be paid. All payments are made by direct deposit wire.
Going Public
Unlike in some other states, you are not allowed to stay anonymous if you win a major prize in New York. As the lottery is a government agency and lottery prizes are public funds, state law says that players have a right to know who the winners are. Your name and city of residence will be disclosed, and you may be required to attend a press event and public announcement.
Tax
Lottery winnings are taxed in New York at federal, state and local level, to such an extent that more money is withheld from prizes in the Empire State than anywhere else in the U.S. All prizes of $5,000 and more are taxed. Go to the Taxes page for more information, and to use a Calculator which will tell you how much of an advertised payout you will actually receive.
Claiming Through Courier Services
Lottery couriers offer an increasingly popular way to play, where your ticket is purchased for you. You sign up online with a licensed company, such as Jackpot.com, and order your tickets without even having to visit a retailer. This method doesn’t just make the playing process simpler, it also helps with claiming prizes. If you win up to $600, your payout will be credited straight to your online account with the courier company. For larger amounts, the messenger service will arrange to deliver your winning ticket to you as quickly as possible so that you claim it from the NY Lottery.
Lost and Damaged Tickets
If your lottery ticket gets lost or stolen, you have no entitlement to claim a prize that it might have been due. Tickets are regarded as bearer instruments – much like dollar bills – so whoever is in possession of a ticket is assumed to be the owner. Without a ticket, you have no proof that you are a winner and the NY Lottery will not be able to pay you out.
To help yourself, you should make sure you sign the back of your ticket as soon as you buy it. This safeguards you as nobody else will be able to claim a prize with it. There’s also a chance that someone could find your ticket and get it back to you if you provide your name.
The same rules apply with damaged tickets, but you may still be able to claim a prize if the barcode can be scanned or the winning numbers are still intact. Prize payouts are at the NY Lottery’s discretion.