Coronavirus Lottery Changes for April 14
Tuesday April 14th 2020The latest lottery changes due to coronavirus, including claim center closures, winning ticket deadline extensions, how to claim a prize by mail, and Powerball and Mega Millions multi-draw ticket refunds.
Almost all lottery drawings, including Mega Millions and Powerball, are being held as usual.
Remember that you can play the lottery online so you can stay safe at home. Purchases and tickets are secure and any prizes you win will be paid out automatically.
Powerball multi-draw ticket refunds
If you bought a Powerball multi-draw ticket in one of the following states, you may be able to claim a refund or free plays. Visit the links below for details:
- Connecticut: Players with advance action or exchange tickets that were purchased before the April 8 jackpot win and have remaining draws may claim a refund.
To receive a refund, call the Claims Department at 860-713-2680 or fill out a refund form and send it to the Lottery along with the original ticket.
The Lottery must receive claims no later than 30 days after the last draw date on the ticket. - Iowa: Free-play coupons are available to players who live in Iowa, for multi-draw tickets purchased no later than 4:00 pm on April 2, for a drawing held on or after Wednesday, April 8.
To claim free plays, send a form and copy of your ticket to the lottery, postmarked no later than June 30.
You may still keep the ticket and claim any prizes you win from it, based on the new changes. - Minnesota: Players can receive a refund for multi-draw tickets purchased on or before 5:00 pm on April 2. Refunds will be for the price of all remaining drawings after April 8 through the expiration of the ticket.
To claim a refund, send a form and copy of your ticket to the lottery. The lottery must receive your claim on or before December 31.
You may still keep the ticket and claim any prizes you win from it, based on the new changes. - North Carolina: Multi-draw tickets bought on or before April 2 are eligible for a refund of the price of all remaining draws after March 25 through the ticket expiration.
To claim a refund, call the Lottery at 877-962-7529 or mail a refund form and copy of your ticket. The lottery must receive your claim on or before December 31, 2020.
You may still keep the ticket and claim any prizes you win from it, based on the new changes. - South Carolina: Multi-draw tickets bought on or before April 2 are eligible for a refund of the price of all remaining draws on or after April 11 through the ticket expiration.
To claim a refund, mail a refund form and copy of your ticket. The claim deadline is July 30, 2020.
You may still keep the ticket and claim any prizes you win from it, based on the new changes. - Wisconsin: Players who purchased multi-draw tickets on or before April 4 may receive a refund; however, they waive the right to claim any prizes won by multi-draw tickets sent to the Lottery.
To claim a refund, mail a completed form and your original ticket to the lottery before the drawings you want to receive a refund for. The lottery must receive your claim no later than May 14, 2020. Players will be refunded for the remaining drawings that will take place after the postmark on their mailing.
Mega Millions multi-draw ticket refunds
Players who purchased a Mega Millions multi-draw ticket in one of the states below could be eligible for a refund or free plays. See the state links for more information.
Minnesota is not currently offering refunds, but the Lottery has requested players to keep multi-draw tickets for drawings on or after April 7 in case reimbursement is available in the future.
- Connecticut: Advance action tickets purchased before the next jackpot win (as of April 14, the jackpot has not been won since the adjustments were announced) and with remaining draws are eligible for a refund.
To claim a refund, call the Claims Department at 860-713-2680 or send your original ticket and a completed refund form to the Lottery.
The Lottery must receive the claim no more than 30 days after the ticket's final draw date. - Iowa: Free-play coupons are available to players who live in Iowa, for multi-draw tickets purchased no later than 4:00 pm on April 3, for a drawing held on or after April 7.
To claim free plays, send a form and copy of your ticket to the lottery, postmarked no later than June 30, 2020.
Hang onto your original ticket because you can still claim any prizes won. - North Carolina: Multi-draw tickets bought on or before April 3 are eligible for a refund of the price of all remaining draws after April 3 through the ticket expiration.
To claim a refund, call the Lottery at 877-962-7529 or mail in a claim form and copy of your ticket. The lottery must receive your claim on or before December 31, 2020.
You may still keep the ticket and claim any prizes you win from it, based on the new changes. - South Carolina: Multi-draw tickets bought on or before April 3 are eligible for a refund of the price of all remaining draws on or after April 10 through the ticket expiration.
To claim a refund, mail a refund form and copy of your ticket. The claim deadline is July 30, 2020.
You may still keep the ticket and claim any prizes you win from it, based on the new changes. - Wisconsin: Players who purchased multi-draw tickets on or before April 4 may receive a refund. However, seeking reimbursement also waives a player's ability to claim any prizes won by multi-draw tickets mailed to the Lottery.
To claim a refund, send a completed form and your original ticket(s) to the lottery before the drawings you want to receive a refund for. The lottery must receive your claim no later than May 14, 2020. Players will be refunded for the remaining drawings that will take place after the postmark on their mailing.
Coronavirus state lottery updates
The latest changes lotteries across the country have made to help players stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Colorado
The closure of lottery headquarters, all regional offices, and the distribution center has been extended through April 27.
Gov. Polis has signed an executive order extending the 180-day deadline to claim winning tickets for jackpot and scratch games, effective for prizes that would have expired from April 6 through April 30. The governor may also prolong the order further by 30 days at a time.
Winners of $599 and below may claim by mailing their signed ticket to the Lottery. Winners of $600 and above will also need to complete a claim form. Processing takes one to two weeks and checks will be mailed out.
For winners of over $10,000, the Lottery is also processing claims at a touchless, drive-through claims center in Pueblo. This option is available by calling 1-800-999-2959 to make a booking.
Connecticut
For players with winning tickets that were set to expire between March 16 and May 15, 2020, the Lottery has extended the prize claim deadline by 60 days.
Some advance play Powerball and Mega Millions tickets are be eligible for refunds - visit the page below for information.
Illinois
The Lottery has extended the time allowed for winners to claim prizes that would have expired between March 16 and May 31, 2020. These tickets may now be claimed through June 30, 2020. The extra time applies to all prizes on all games, including draw tickets and instant win.
The extended claim period also applies to a $2 million Mega Millions winning ticket that was set to expire in early April. The ticket was sold at the Mobile station, 1600 New Lenox Road in Joliet for the April 5, 2019 drawing. The winning numbers were 8, 22, 24, 38 and 64, and the Mega Ball was 21.
“Considering many of us are spending a lot of time at home right now, if you bought a Mega Millions ticket in Joliet around this time last year – now is the time to check under your couch cushions, in your desk drawers or in your glovebox to see if you’ve got the winning lottery ticket tucked away somewhere,” said Illinois Lottery Acting Director Harold Mays.
Iowa
Offices will remain closed through at least the end of April. The lottery has also extended the claim deadline by an additional 30 days for prizes that would have expired from March 19 to April 17. Expiration deadlines may be extended further if necessary.
Free play coupons are available for some Powerball and Mega Millions multi-draw tickets - see the link below for details.
Massachusetts
All claim centers will now remain closed through April 27. Prize claims may be mailed in to the lottery following the steps in the link below.
Pennsylvania
The Lottery has updated its information on claiming a prize by mail. Fill out and sign the back of your winning ticket and send it to the Lottery at the address below. If the prize is above $600, you'll also need to send a completed a claim form. Claims that are postmarked before the ticket expiration date will be paid.
Pennsylvania Lottery
ATTN: CLAIMS
1200 Fulling Mill Road, Suite 1
Middletown, PA 17057
Draw game prizes may be claimed up to one year from the winning draw date. Scratch-Off prizes are valid for one year from the game's end-sale date. Fast Play winning tickets may be claimed within one year of the purchase date.
You may download a W-2G form if you need to complete one - see the link below for more information.
Wisconsin
Players can claim prizes by mail, or by making an appointment at the Madison validations office at 2135 Rimrock Rd. Office hours are 10 am to 2:30 pm, Monday through Friday. To maintain social distancing, the number of appointments is limited. There are no same-day slots available and walk-ins are not allowed. To make a booking, call 608-261-4916.
The Milwaukee office remains closed to the public and is not able to redeem tickets.
Wyoming
The Lottery's office closure has been extended through April 17. Players should claim prizes by mail - for more information, see the link below.
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