Cash for Life FAQs

Cash for Life is a really easy game to play, but you may still have some queries about how certain parts of it work. Get answers to the most frequently asked questions here, covering everything from buying tickets to claiming prizes.

General

When do draws take place?

Cash for Life draws take place daily at 9:00 PM ET (8:00 PM CT). They are held in the New Jersey Lottery's draw studio and streamed live.

What is the minimum age to play?

You have to be at least 18 years old to play Cash for Life in any of the 10 participating states.

What are the odds of winning?

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 8. Your chances of landing the jackpot are 1 in 21,846,048. Go to the Odds and Prizes page to see the probabilities for each category.

What happens if my ticket gets lost, stolen or damaged?

Lottery tickets are regarded as bearer instruments, so you need to be in possession of a winning entry to be able to claim a prize. To safeguard against a ticket going missing, you should sign the back of it as that would ensure that nobody else could claim it for themselves.

Lottery operators have no obligation to pay out a prize if your ticket is damaged, but you may be able to claim your winnings if you mail it in with a detailed explanation of what has happened, and when and where you played. You should contact your state lottery if your ticket is lost, stolen or damaged and you think you are a winner.

How do I claim a prize?

Prizes can be claimed in a number of ways, whether that is by visiting an authorized retailer, mailing in your ticket or going to your state lottery’s headquarters or claim center. Go to the How to Claim page for more information.

How long do I have to claim?

The time you have to claim prizes depends on where you bought your ticket. The claim period ranges from 180 days in some states to one year in others. All the deadlines can be found on the How to Claim page.

Can I claim a prize in another state?

No. All prizes must be claimed in the state where the ticket was purchased. If you played in Florida, for example, you would also have to claim in Florida. You would not even be allowed to claim in another participating state.

Do I have to pay tax on prizes?

Yes, you have to pay federal taxes on prizes that are worth more than $5,000. State taxes are also applied in most jurisdictions. See the Taxes page for all the details.

Can I stay anonymous if I win?

It depends where you bought your ticket. Some states allow you to stay anonymous, or claim through a legal trust to effectively remain private, but in other locations you are required to go public. Head over to the page on Publicity Options to find the specific rules for your state.

How to Play

Where can I buy tickets?

Cash for Life tickets are sold in 10 states – Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. You do not have to be a resident of one of these jurisdictions, so you can buy a ticket if you are just visiting one of the participating states.

What time do ticket sales close?

The cut-off time for ticket sales is 8:45 PM ET (7:45 PM CT) in nine of the 10 participating states. In Florida, you have to enter by 8:30 PM ET.

How do I play?

Pick five numbers from 1 to 60 and a Cash Ball between 1 and 4. You can choose your own numbers or get a Quick Pick if you want to use a random selection. Go to the How to Play page for a full step-by-step guide.

Can the Cash Ball be the same as one of the main numbers?

Yes. The Cash Ball is drawn from a separate set of numbers, so you can pick the same number as one of your main numbers and the Cash Ball. This is also why the same number can sometimes appear twice in the same draw – once as a main ball and once as the Cash Ball.

Can I play multiple consecutive draws?

Yes. You can enter your numbers into more than one draw to help make sure that you don’t miss out. The Multi Draw options differ by state.

How much does it cost to play Cash for Life?

Cash for Life costs $2 per play. Some states also offer additional features at an extra price, usually $1, such as New Jersey’s Doubler, Missouri’s EZ Match and Tennessee’s Quick Cash.

Winning Prizes

How do I win a prize?

You win prizes by matching the numbers you have picked to the numbers that are drawn. You must match at least two of the six numbers – one main ball and the Cash Ball, or two main numbers – to win a prize, and the value of payouts increases as you match more.

How much can I win?

The top prize is $1,000 a day for life if you match all the numbers. The second prize, for matching all five main balls without the Cash Ball, is $1,000 a week for life. See the Odds and Prizes page for all the payouts.

Do I really get paid every day or every week?

The two annuity prizes are actually paid out on an annual basis, so it is $365,000 a year if you win the top prize (even in leap years), and $52,000 a year for the second prize.

Do the payouts really continue for life?

Yes. You will keep receiving the annuity payouts every year for the rest of your lifetime. Payments are also guaranteed for a minimum of 20 years – if a winner dies before this time, the rest of the money goes to their family.

Is there a cash alternative?

Yes. You can take a one-time lump sum of $7 million instead of $1,000 a day if you win the top prize. There is also a cash option of $1 million for the second prize.

What happens if multiple players win the top prize?

If more than one player wins, the prize is split between winners. In the unlikely event that 15 or more players win, the annuity option is not available and the $7 million cash sum is divided out.