How to Claim New York (NY)
Lottery Prizes
Claim a New York Lottery prize under $600 at any retailer or a Customer Service Center, $600 to $49,999 at a Prize Claim Center or a Customer Service Center and $50,000 or more at a Customer Service Center, within one year of the drawing. Any prize can be claimed by mail.
Where to Claim Your New York Lottery Prize
Won? You have one year to cash it in.
Where to Cash a Winning Ticket
Where you can cash a New York Lottery prize depends on how much it is.
- Under $600Signed ticket at a store
- Any lottery retailer
- Any Customer Service Center by appointment
- By mail
- Schenectady Customer Service Center
- $600–$49,999Claim form and ID
- Any Prize Claim Center
- Any Customer Service Center by appointment
- By mail
- Schenectady Customer Service Center
- $50K+Claim form and ID
- Any Customer Service Center by appointment
- By mail
- Schenectady Customer Service Center
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Play scratch-offs too?Up to x385 better jackpot odds
For $50K to $5M+ jackpots on the best New York scratch-offs. ScratchOdds ranks all 67 by today's odds.
For $50K to $5M+ jackpots on the best New York scratch-offs.
Get the Free AppSee the Best Ones
Good to Know
Claim deadline
One year after the drawing
Take a jackpot's cash option within 60 days of claiming the prize.
When you're paid
Customer Service Centers process claims on site, except jackpots and Powerball or Mega Millions prizes of $50,000 or more, which go to Schenectady headquarters.
Claim by mail
Any prize
N.Y.S. Gaming Commission, Division of Lottery, P.O. Box 7533, Schenectady, NY 12301-7533
Taxes on winnings
24% federal withheld over $5,000
State tax up to 10.9%; 10.9% withheld over $5,000. See your take-home
Can you stay anonymous?
No, winners are public
New York Lottery Claim Forms
From $600, bring your signed ticket, ID and a completed claim form.
Full checklist (5 items)
- The original winning ticket, signed, with the back filled in
- A completed and signed Winner Claim Form with your Social Security number, taxpayer ID or FEIN. Each person sharing a prize fills in a form of their own
- A valid, current ID: a U.S. or foreign passport, driver license, non-driver ID, learner permit, government ID, naturalization or citizenship certificate, green card, U.S. military ID, or a birth certificate with a photo ID. Send a copy if you claim by mail
- With a New York City ID, New York State Benefit ID Card or MTA Reduced Fare MetroCard as ID, a Social Security card or federal taxpayer ID certification too
- For a company, partnership or trust, its federal employer identification number on the claim form. A group without one can't claim as a group
New York Lottery Customer Service Centers
Bring your ticket, claim form and ID. Some see winners by appointment only.
Schenectady Customer Service Center
354 Broadway, Schenectady, NY 12305Walk-ins welcomeHours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–4:00 PMPhone: 518-388-3370Plainview Customer Service Center
45 South Service Road, Plainview, NY 11803By appointment onlyHours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–4:30 PMPhone: 516-222-8224Syracuse Customer Service Center
620 Erie Blvd West, Suite 103, Syracuse, NY 13204By appointment onlyHours: Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–3:30 PMPhone: 315-448-4314Buffalo Customer Service Center
165 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY 14203By appointment onlyHours: Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–3:30 PMPhone: 716-847-3960
More Claim Rules
- Take 5 Free Play
- A Take 5 Free Play, won by matching 2 numbers, must be redeemed at a retailer within 45 days of the drawing, not a year like cash prizes.
- Jackpot cash or annuity
- You don't choose cash or yearly payments when you buy a Lotto, Powerball or Mega Millions ticket. A jackpot winner chooses within 60 days of claiming, and a winner who doesn't choose is paid the annuity. The choice is final.
- Prize Claim Centers
- Ten Prize Claim Centers at casinos and video gaming facilities pay Powerball and Mega Millions prizes under $50,000 and other games' prizes under $250,000, walk-in only, during their own hours. You must be 21 to claim at a casino. They are at Batavia Downs Gaming, Empire City Casino in Yonkers, Finger Lakes Gaming in Farmington, Hamburg Gaming, Jake's 58 in Islandia, Resorts World Hudson Valley in Newburgh, Resorts World New York City in Jamaica, Saratoga Casino Hotel, Tioga Downs in Nichols and Vernon Downs.
- Debts owed to the state
- Before paying a prize of $600 or more, the lottery takes out past-due child support, past-due New York State taxes and repayment of public assistance received in the last 10 years. You get instructions for contesting it when you claim.
- Tickets per visit
- A Customer Service Center processes up to 30 winning tickets a visit. You can leave more there to be processed.
- Subscriptions
- Subscription prizes under $600 are added to your subscription account. Larger ones are paid by check.
Reviewed by Bishop Woosley, former Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and NASPL President.
You can't change the lottery's odds.
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- A free app, built on official New York Lottery data
More New York Lottery Help
Check your numbers, the best scratch-offs, and claiming in other states.
New York Scratch-Offs
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about the New York Lottery
Where can I claim lottery winnings in New York?
Under $600: Any lottery retailer, any Customer Service Center by appointment, by mail or Schenectady Customer Service Center. $600 to $49,999: Any Prize Claim Center, any Customer Service Center by appointment, by mail or Schenectady Customer Service Center. $50,000 or more: Any Customer Service Center by appointment, by mail or Schenectady Customer Service Center.
Where can I cash a $1,000 lottery ticket in New York?
Not at a store: New York Lottery retailers pay prizes up to $599. $600 to $49,999: Any Prize Claim Center, any Customer Service Center by appointment, by mail or Schenectady Customer Service Center.
Where are the New York Lottery Customer Service Centers?
Schenectady Customer Service Center, 354 Broadway, Schenectady; Plainview Customer Service Center, 45 South Service Road, Plainview; Syracuse Customer Service Center, 620 Erie Blvd West, Suite 103, Syracuse; Buffalo Customer Service Center, 165 Genesee Street, Buffalo.
What time can you cash lottery tickets in New York?
Any New York Lottery retailer cashes prizes up to $599 whenever it's open. The New York Lottery Customer Service Centers are open Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–3:30 PM, except the Schenectady Customer Service Center, Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM; the Plainview Customer Service Center, Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–4:30 PM.
What should I do if I win the New York Lottery?
Sign your ticket and keep it safe, then claim it within one year of the drawing. Under $600: Any lottery retailer, any Customer Service Center by appointment, by mail or Schenectady Customer Service Center. $600 to $49,999: Any Prize Claim Center, any Customer Service Center by appointment, by mail or Schenectady Customer Service Center. $50,000 or more: Any Customer Service Center by appointment, by mail or Schenectady Customer Service Center. From $600, bring your signed ticket, ID and a completed claim form.
How long do you have to claim a New York Lottery prize?
One year after the drawing. A jackpot's cash option must be chosen within 60 days of claiming the prize.
Do New York Lottery tickets expire?
Yes. A winning ticket must be claimed within one year of the drawing, or the prize can no longer be paid.
What do I need to claim a New York Lottery prize?
At a store, a prize up to $599 needs just the signed ticket. From $600: The original winning ticket, signed, with the back filled in; A completed and signed Winner Claim Form with your Social Security number, taxpayer ID or FEIN. Each person sharing a prize fills in a form of their own; A valid, current ID: a U.S. or foreign passport, driver license, non-driver ID, learner permit, government ID, naturalization or citizenship certificate, green card, U.S. military ID, or a birth certificate with a photo ID. Send a copy if you claim by mail; With a New York City ID, New York State Benefit ID Card or MTA Reduced Fare MetroCard as ID, a Social Security card or federal taxpayer ID certification too; For a company, partnership or trust, its federal employer identification number on the claim form. A group without one can't claim as a group.
Do I need an appointment at a New York Lottery Customer Service Center?
It depends on the Customer Service Center. Plainview, Syracuse and Buffalo Customer Service Centers see winners by appointment only. Schenectady Customer Service Center takes walk-ins.
Can I claim a New York Lottery prize by mail?
Yes, any prize. Mail the signed ticket, with any copies the New York Lottery asks for, to N.Y.S. Gaming Commission, Division of Lottery, P.O. Box 7533, Schenectady, NY 12301-7533. Prizes from $600 also need a completed claim form.
How long does it take to get New York Lottery winnings?
Customer Service Centers process claims on site, except jackpots and Powerball or Mega Millions prizes of $50,000 or more, which go to Schenectady headquarters. A jackpot's lump sum or first payment can take up to 12 weeks after the claim is approved. Mailed claims take about 15 business days, longer for prizes of $250,000 or more.
Can you claim lottery winnings anonymously in New York?
No. New York Lottery winners are public record.
Can I claim a New York Lottery prize online?
No. Claim in person or by mail.
What is the New York Lottery phone number?
518-388-3300 for customer service. Schenectady Customer Service Center: 518-388-3370.
Where can I claim a New York Lottery prize in person?
The Schenectady Customer Service Center is at 354 Broadway, Schenectady, NY 12305, open Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM. Call 518-388-3370.
Are lottery winnings taxed in New York?
New York taxes lottery winnings at up to 10.9%, and federal income tax applies too. 24% federal and 10.9% state tax are withheld from prizes over $5,000.
Still have questions? Email our support team
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