How To Claim: Powerball Jackpot
If You Win The Powerball Jackpot, How Do You Claim?
If you are a winner of an NCEL Powerball jackpot prize, congratulations! You must sign the back of your original ticket immediately to preserve your ownership.
Prior to coming to the NCEL's Corporate Office in Raleigh, please call Player Services at (877) 962-7529 (9NC-PLAY). Player Services can verify the actual winning numbers drawn for a particular drawing date and provide you with instructions on how to claim. You should also inform Player Services regarding when you will be appearing at NCEL Corporate Office to claim your prize. We recommend that you notify the NCEL in advance of your visit to claim.
If you are claiming as a group of winners on the same winning ticket and all members of the group are not claiming their portion of the prize in person at Lottery headquarters, an Affidavit of Multiple Ownership must be completed in advance and photocopies of required identifications for the members that will not be present at the claim. If all members of the group will be present for the claim, the group will be requested to complete the Affidavit of Multiple Ownership at the time of claim.
On the day of claim, you must present your ticket at the Raleigh Regional Claims Center, which is next to the NCEL Corporate Office. You must also have appropriate proof of identification (Driver's License, Valid Identification Card, Social Security Card, Passport or Visa, Military ID, US Resident Card, Student ID Card, Voter Registration Card). The combined forms of identification must verify your name, signature, age and social security number. Once your ticket has been verified as a winning Powerball jackpot winner, the Raleigh Claims Center will contact Prize Validation, who will then complete the remainder of the claiming process.
Generally, the entire claiming process will take approximately 2-3 hours. Therefore, we recommend that you present your claim early in the day, if possible, in order for the NCEL to have sufficient time and staff to complete your claim.
The following are frequently asked questions and answers regarding claiming a Powerball jackpot prize:
- Q: When will I receive my payment?
- A: It may take up to fourteen (14) days from the date of claim for you to receive payment (whether in annuity or cash option). The NCEL must wait for the other participating Powerball States to transfer the money from their States to fund your prize.
- Q: What forms do I need to complete?
- A: Currently, you will need to complete a Winners Claim Form; a Grand Prize Election Form; Method of Prize Payment Form; and Affidavit of Multiple Ownership (for group winners). All required forms will be provided by the NCEL at the time of claim.
- Q: How long is the claiming process?
- A: As stated above, the entire claiming process will take approximately 2-3 hours. The claiming process entails completion of all forms, verification of proper identifications, and validation and verification of the winning ticket including security checks. The NCEL Communications Department will also be assisting you with media related issues.
- Q: Must everyone in a group elect the same term of payment?
- A: Yes. All members of the group can only be paid using one method, either in annuity or cash option. At the time of claim, the group has up to sixty (60) days from the claiming date to decide whether to elect the annuity payments or the cash option. If the NCEL does not receive the completed Grand Prize Election form within the sixty (60) period, the default payment term will be in annuity. If the election is not made at the time of claim, no payment will be issued until after the expiration of the sixty (60) day period.
- Q: Can I claim the prize as a trust, partnership or corporation?
- A: Yes, but you must provide documentation to support the legitimacy of the entity making the claim. The claiming process may be delayed in order for the NCEL to verify all documentation provided and the individual(s) comprising the entity.
- Q: Can I get my payment directly deposited to my bank account?
- A: Yes. At the time of claim, you will be requested to complete a Method of Prize Payment Form, which will provide you with the option to receive payment via paper check or direct deposit to a specified bank account. You will need to provide bank account information for direct deposit.
- Q: What will the NCEL withhold from my prize payment?
- A: The NCEL will withhold required State and Federal Taxes and other mandatory withholdings per State Laws, if applicable. The current withholding rate for State Tax is 7% and Federal Tax is 25% (for non-resident alien, the Federal Tax rate will be 30%).
- Q: If the NCEL already withhold State and Federal Taxes, does that mean I do not owe any more taxes for that tax year for the prize?
- A: The NCEL is only required to withhold 7% for State and 25% for Federal. Therefore, depending upon your own financial classification for that tax year, you may owe more or less. The NCEL suggests that you seek a tax professional to determine your total tax liabilities.
- Q: How do I designate beneficiaries to receive my Lottery payment(s) upon my death?
- A: The NCEL does not have a process for pre-designation of beneficiaries. However, the NCEL will comply with probate court's order for payment to your estate. The NCEL suggests that you seek a legal professional to assist you with estate planning.