Three Powerball tickets worth $250,000 remain unclaimed from same state and were all won the same way

THREE Powerball lottery players have yet to come forward and claim hundreds of thousands in prizes after winning in the same state.

Some have a little more time to search for their tickets than others.

The players from the Delaware Lottery won their money similarly.

Each earned the Match 4 Plus Powerball, meaning they got four out of five white balls correct on their slip, and the red Powerball.

Doing so awarded the first two players a $50,000 sum, but the third player opted for an addition that bumped their total to $150,000.

That means a combined $300,000 is still up for grabs.

The first winner bought their ticket for the September 30, 2023, drawing at a Wawa gas station in Lewes by Delaware Bay.

Delaware Lottery winners are given a grace period of one year to come forward and claim prizes, so the clock is ticking.

If the Lewes player doesn't come forward by September 30, 2024, they will forfeit the $50,000.

GONE FOR GOOD

At least 50% of the cash, or $25,000 would be recirculated back into other lottery games, per the Delaware Lottery's website.

About 30%, or $15,000, would be re-distributed to the state's general fund for services.

To claim the prize, the Lewes player would need to sign and validate their ticket at a certified lottery retailer like the Wawa gas station they purchased it at, and then head to a Delaware Lottery office.

The same rules apply to the two other players who won $50,000 and $150,000, respectively.

The second player to win $50,000 also earned the Match 4 plus Powerball for the March 9, 2024, drawing.

The third player made a crucial decision that earned them considerably more cash than the first two — opting for the Power Play selection.

It multiplied their Match 4 Plus Powerball winnings by three for $150,000 in the April 20, 2024, drawing.

Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?

Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?

The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.

Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.

Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.

Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.

Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you'll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.

Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Experts have varying opinions on whether to take the lump sum or take the annuity.

SECOND LOOK

Several other states also have unclaimed lottery tickets worth millions.

Players should double-check their tickets before it's too late.

In Louisiana, two players who live just 15 minutes away from one another landed $50,000 Powerball prizes but haven't come forward.

A Mega Millions winner in Texas also landed a $1 million payday and hasn't claimed the life-changing funds.

Other prizes worth varying amounts, like $150,000 in Pennsylvania, are without a verified ticket holder.

Massachusetts Lottery officials have also warned residents about a $1 million prize set to expire soon.