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Home › Blogs › music*'s Blog › Claiming your prize at your State Lottery Office

Claiming your prize at your State Lottery Office

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Have you ever thought about the experience of claiming your Lottery prize? Each State does it differently. 

 Here in California, On YouTube, I have viewed the process of presenting the ticket to the receptionist. Plus I have visited www.calottery.com where there is a Handbook for lottery winners. Click on the Win tab and look at the left-hand side of the page.

 There are eight separate California lottery district offices in this State. The initial paperwork is done at one of these offices. Then it is mailed to the Main Office building in Sacramento using USPS. Do remember to make copies in case the paperwork is lost in the mail.

 What happens when you are ushered into the Winner's Room is a bit of a mystery. I would think that more paperwork will need to be filled out. Like the form to claim the prize as a Lump Sum or as an Annuity. The form to claim as a group or as an individual. The tax form to receive the W-2G tax form to be filed with your taxes. The G is for Gambling Winnings. 

 If you win more than $350,000.00 you will talk to a SLED Officer. SLED stands for Security and Law Enforcement Division. He or She will check your eligibility to win. These questions will not take long to answer. 

 Here in California, it takes six weeks for the check to be mailed to you. Why so long? There are a ton of winners in this State. Both Scratch Offs and the Draw games. 

Entry #87

Comments

Avatar lejardin -
#1
There is no chance my claiming would involve any mail service! Six weeks for funds seems like a long time. I think normal claiming time is two to three weeks which means I would claim two weeks after winning so I would have access to funds shortly thereafter.
Avatar mikeintexas -
#2
It would be much better if Texas would allow us to claim at the nearest regional office just as Californians can do. Instead, I would have to drive nearly 500 miles to Austin or at the very least, drive to Amarillo and hop a flight there.   Depending upon flight departure/arrival times, even that would entail an overnight stay and it definitely would with a trip by car. (unless you drove there w/ someone else and switched on/off)

I know CA has a lot of winners, but once a claim is made for either of the two natl. jackpots (or the CA Lottery) they should be given priority, I'd think. From what I've read, most other states can let a winner collect as soon as all the money is gathered from other states, generally from 10 - 14 days to four weeks at the most.

And another thing CA does that's better is allow a winner to choose between annuity and cash option when they claim. While I would opt for the cash, other, YOUNGER people might do well to discuss their options with a financial expert prior to claiming.

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