What are the claim deadlines and procedures for different Hoosier Lottery prize tiers after a drawing?

Claim deadlines

You generally have 180 days to claim a Hoosier Lottery prize. The time starts counting differently depending on the game:

• Draw games: 180 days from the drawing date [11][16][31][52][69][76].
• Scratch-off games: 180 days from the game end date [11][31][52][68][79].
• Fast Play games: 180 days from the purchase date [11][31][52][70].

Some notices list a specific clock time for the final day, such as 4:30 p.m. ET or 5 p.m. ET [67][77]. One Hoosier Lottery announcement also described an extra 60-day extension beyond the usual 180-day window [14]. Retired games can still be claimed if they are within the claim date period; for example, Cash4Life lists a last claim date of Aug 20, 2026 [63][64].

How to claim by prize size

Small prizes: under $600

Start with a retailer. Retailers are required to cash winning tickets up to $25, and many can cash more; some stores redeem up to $599 [71][84][86][88]. One source also lists mail as an option for this tier [56].

Mid-size prizes: $600 to $49,999

You can redeem by mail or at a Hoosier Lottery Prize Payment Center in Indianapolis, Mishawaka, or Evansville [1][2][3][13][72]. The Indianapolis center is at 1302 N. Meridian Street [34], and the centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET [82]. For winnings of $600 or more, the official FAQ says to visit one of the three Prize Payment Claim Centers [87].

For mail claims: sign and complete the back of the ticket, fill out the winner claim form, and send the ticket with a copy of your ID [9][10][28][29][62][74]. For prizes over $599, the Lottery suggests using a tracking service such as UPS, FedEx, or USPS Certified [75]. Another source says these prizes can also be claimed at any Indiana Lottery claim center [57].

High-value prizes: $50,000 and up

The official instructions say to call 1-800-955-6886 to schedule an appointment to claim the prize [4][5][6][7][44][45][46][47][73][92]. One source says the claim happens at Hoosier Lottery Headquarters by appointment [59]. A separate Hoosier Lottery news release about adjusted prize payment operations said players could mail in any prize claim up to $99,999 [15], while the main claim-page instructions direct $50,000+ winners to call for an appointment [4][5].

For any claim questions, customer service can be reached at 1-800-955-6886 or [email protected] daily from 8 a.m. to midnight [17][35][78][81].

A few steps that apply to every ticket

• Sign and complete the back of the ticket before claiming [8][27][48].
• Ticket numbers must be verified by a retailer, claim office, or headquarters [39][66].
• Treat the ticket like cash: it is a bearer instrument, so sign and secure it right away [95]. Do not modify it before validation, and tickets that are altered, torn, misprinted, illegible, defaced, or too damaged to validate can cause problems [96][98].
• Grand prize winners need a valid claim form and a valid government ID at a Prize Payment Center [19].
• If a ticket is damaged or shows as already redeemed, submit it with a completed Winner Claim Form by mail or in person; in those cases, there is no same-day payment [89][90].
• A W-2G can be mailed if requested, or picked up at a Prize Payment Center in Indianapolis, Evansville, or Mishawaka [91].
• Privacy note: winner names, addresses, and cities are public record in Indiana, but using an LLC or trust with a legal representative may let the actual winner stay anonymous [36][93][94].