What Would You do if You WON?
By Foreign-Gas-1173+152 Okay I don't know what to do. I did a scratcher and I won $40,000. What do I do? Please help
Okay so I know that this could happen to me. But I did I literally scratched this game it's called 40th anniversary and literally I matched it and I scanned it twice and yes $40,000 is the winner and so what I do first? I'm literally in my apartment. And that's a lot of money so what I do it's a scratch ticket what I do? I mean like if I take it to the like lottery department like 20 miles away I mean it's not like they're going to just give me $40,000 so what I do help me please? And then what money will actually get from this? Please help me anybody with any knowledge. And by the way I rent my place it's 1875 a month. And yes I have a bachelor's degree and it's in social science. And presently no I'm not working.
Recent responses
+155 @Cheap-Bathroom-4426 I’d suggest you calm down first, sign the back of the scratcher, and make an appointment with your local lottery office that is 20 miles away from you and go from there, and congrats on the win.
+49 @818VitaminZ 
+47 @Red_dawg64 For amounts like this they pay the entire amount minus taxes of course so about $27000 after taxes. You will need 3 forms of ID. Driver's license and 2 current bills will do and a social security card for tax purposes. They will cut you a check. Breath. Relax. Pay your rent for the next 3 months so you dont have to worry about it. Do not tell people you think are your friends cause they will mooch the hell out of you. Take a deep breath and relax and yes sign the back of the ticket.
+17 @veegeek Don’t. Tell. Anyone!
+16 @kled-3533 Depends on the state. I just won $40K here in CA. Turn it in at local lottery office, sign ticket (do that first) and fill out required paperwork. In CA they take 24% off the top and mail you a check with the remainder. I got mine last week and it was a little over $30K. Just remember- you’ll still have to claim that as extra income on next years taxes. So be prepared. Congrats and good luck. CA is 4-6 week timeframe to receive check. Mine was exactly 5 weeks. Also, if you owe ANY money to the government, they will subtract it from your winnings, so be advised! This can include child support, back taxes etc.
+13 @TwoRightFeet01 Congratulations!
+12 @WhiteBirdInANest I just wanna say Congratulations!! I am so happy for you stranger!