Lottery officials are urging players in Michigan to double-check their tickets, as a $250,000 Powerball prize from March remains unclaimed.
The winning ticket was purchased at a Kroger in Bloomfield Hills, a suburb north of Detroit, for the Powerball drawing held on March 11, 2024. The lucky player matched four of the five white balls and the red Powerball number, and had selected the Power Play option, which multiplied their $50,000 prize to $250,000.
The winning numbers for that draw were 1, 3, 7, 16, 66, with the red Powerball number 5 and a 5X Power Play.
According to Michigan Lottery rules, the player has one year to come forward. If they fail to claim the prize by March 11, 2025, the money will be forfeited and redirected to Michigan’s School Aid Fund, according to local outlet WJRT.
Because the prize exceeds $100,000, the winner must claim it in person at the Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing. Before doing so, they must sign the back of the ticket and validate it at a licensed lottery retailer—such as the Kroger where the ticket was bought.Once the ticket is validated, the winner must decide how to receive the money: either as a one-time lump sum or in annual annuity payments.
While some financial advisors recommend annuity payments to help winners manage spending, many opt for the lump sum. However, that choice comes with immediate tax deductions.
If the Michigan winner takes the lump sum, they will face a 24% federal tax and a 4.25% state tax. That would reduce the prize by about $70,625, leaving an estimated $179,375 after taxes.
Despite the deductions, it’s still a major return on what was likely just a $3 or $4 ticket.
Other large lottery prizes also remain unclaimed across the U.S. A $2 million Mega Millions ticket sold in northeastern Ohio has yet to be claimed, and Louisiana officials are still searching for a $50,000 Powerball winner before the deadline passes.
