Unclaimed $250K Powerball at Kroger: Time’s Running Out!
Imagine buying a lottery ticket, tossing it into a drawer, and forgetting about it—only to later find out it’s worth a quarter of a million dollars! That’s the reality for someone in Michigan who purchased a Powerball ticket at a Kroger store in Bloomfield Hills. The ticket, worth a whopping $250,000, remains unclaimed, and the clock is ticking. With the deadline to claim this prize fast approaching, the Michigan Lottery is urging players to check their tickets before it’s too late. If the prize goes unclaimed, the money will be redirected to the Michigan School Aid Fund, leaving one lucky (or unlucky) winner empty-handed.
In this article, we’ll dive into the details of this unclaimed Powerball prize, explore why tickets go unclaimed, share tips on how to avoid missing out on a windfall, and reflect on my own experiences with lottery tickets. Whether you’re a casual lottery player or someone who religiously checks their numbers, this story is a wake-up call to double-check those old tickets hiding in your wallet or junk drawer.
The Story of the Unclaimed $250K Powerball Ticket
Last year, on March 11, 2024, a Powerball ticket was purchased at the Kroger store located at 4099 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The ticket matched four white balls (01, 03, 07, 16, 66) and the Powerball (05), securing a $50,000 prize. Thanks to the Power Play option, which the player wisely selected, the prize was multiplied by five, bringing the total to an impressive $250,000. According to the Michigan Lottery, Powerball tickets are valid for one year from the drawing date, meaning the winner had until March 11, 2025, at 4:45 p.m. to claim their prize.
Sadly, as of May 14, 2025, the prize remains unclaimed, and reports indicate it officially expired on March 11, 2025. The Michigan Lottery confirmed that the unclaimed funds were transferred to the state’s School Aid Fund, which supports public education. While this is a noble cause, it’s hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for the person who missed out on a life-changing sum.
This isn’t the first time a significant lottery prize has gone unclaimed in Michigan. In 1998, a $34 million Michigan Lotto ticket purchased at a Meijer in East Lansing was never claimed, setting a state record for the largest unclaimed prize. Stories like these remind us that forgetting to check a ticket can have costly consequences.
Why Do Lottery Prizes Go Unclaimed?
You might be wondering: how does someone forget about a $250,000 winning ticket? It’s more common than you think. Here are some reasons why lottery prizes, big and small, go unclaimed:
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Forgetting to Check Tickets: Many people buy lottery tickets on a whim—perhaps while grabbing groceries at Kroger—and then toss them aside without checking the numbers. I’ve done this myself, buying a scratch-off or Powerball ticket during a grocery run, only to find it months later in a coat pocket. Life gets busy, and checking lottery numbers isn’t always a priority.
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Misplacing Tickets: Tickets are small and easy to lose. They might end up in a purse, glove compartment, or junk drawer, forgotten until it’s too late. A few years ago, a Wayne County man named Anil Phillip nearly lost a $150,000 Powerball prize because he misplaced his ticket. He found it just days before the deadline and scrambled to claim it.
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Lack of Awareness: Some players don’t realize they’ve won because they don’t follow up on draw results. If you don’t watch the news or check the Michigan Lottery website, you might miss the announcement that a winning ticket was sold at your local Kroger.
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Skepticism or Confusion: Occasionally, winners hesitate to come forward because they’re unsure about the claiming process or fear scams. The Michigan Lottery requires prizes over $100,000 to be claimed in person at their Lansing headquarters, which can feel daunting.
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Expired Deadlines: Every state has a deadline for claiming lottery prizes, typically ranging from 90 days to one year. In Michigan, Powerball prizes must be claimed within one year of the drawing date. If you miss the deadline, the money is gone—no exceptions.
These factors highlight the importance of staying organized and proactive when playing the lottery. A little diligence can mean the difference between a life-changing payout and a missed opportunity.
My Personal Experience with Lottery Tickets
I’ll admit it—I’m no stranger to the thrill of buying a lottery ticket. There’s something exciting about the possibility, however slim, of winning big. A few years ago, I bought a Powerball ticket at a gas station during a road trip. I tucked it into my wallet and forgot about it for weeks. When I finally checked the numbers, I hadn’t won the jackpot, but I did match three numbers for a $7 prize. It wasn’t $250,000, but it was enough to buy a coffee and a donut, and it taught me a lesson: always check your tickets!
That experience made me more diligent about keeping track of my tickets. Now, I store them in a designated spot in my desk and check the numbers within a day or two of the drawing. I also use the Michigan Lottery app, which lets you scan tickets to see if they’re winners. It’s a simple tool that can save you from missing out on a prize.
The story of the unclaimed $250,000 ticket at Kroger hits close to home because I shop at Kroger regularly. I can picture myself grabbing a ticket at the checkout counter, tossing it into my bag, and forgetting about it. That’s why this story feels so urgent—it could happen to anyone.
How to Avoid Missing Out on a Lottery Prize
If you’re a lottery player, here are some practical tips to ensure you never miss out on a prize like the unclaimed $250,000 Powerball ticket:
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Check Your Tickets Promptly: Make it a habit to check your numbers right after the drawing. You can find Powerball results on the Michigan Lottery website, through their mobile app, or on news outlets. Don’t let weeks or months go by before checking.
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Sign Your Tickets: As soon as you buy a ticket, sign the back. This protects you in case the ticket is lost or stolen. It also helps verify your ownership when claiming a prize.
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Store Tickets Safely: Designate a specific place for your lottery tickets, like a small envelope or a section of your wallet. Avoid leaving them in random places where they could be misplaced.
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Use the Michigan Lottery App: The app allows you to scan tickets with your phone’s camera to instantly see if you’ve won. It’s a game-changer for staying on top of your tickets.
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Set Reminders: If you buy tickets regularly, set a calendar reminder to check your numbers after each drawing. This is especially helpful if you play multiple games like Powerball, Mega Millions, or Lucky For Life.
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Know the Claiming Process: For prizes over $100,000, you’ll need to visit the Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing. Call their Player Relations division at 844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Smaller prizes can often be claimed at authorized retailers like Kroger.
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Double-Check Old Tickets: If you’re reading this and have old Powerball tickets lying around, check them now! You might be holding onto a winner without realizing it.
By following these steps, you can minimize the risk of missing out on a prize. The last thing you want is to be the person who let $250,000 slip through their fingers.
The Impact of Unclaimed Prizes
When a lottery prize goes unclaimed, the money doesn’t just disappear—it’s redirected to a good cause. In Michigan, unclaimed lottery prizes are transferred to the School Aid Fund, which supports K-12 education across the state. While this is a positive outcome, it’s bittersweet to think that someone missed out on a life-changing opportunity.
The $250,000 from the unclaimed Kroger ticket is now helping fund schools, but imagine what it could have done for the winner. It could have paid off a mortgage, funded a child’s college education, or provided financial security. Stories like this remind us that playing the lottery is about more than just dreaming big—it’s about taking responsibility for your chance at a win.
The Power Play: How It Boosted the Prize
One fascinating detail about this unclaimed ticket is the role of the Power Play option. For an extra dollar, players can add Power Play to their Powerball ticket, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10, depending on the multiplier drawn. In this case, the March 11, 2024, drawing had a 5X Power Play, turning a $50,000 prize into $250,000.
The Power Play is a great example of how small decisions can have a big impact. I always opt for Power Play when I play Powerball because it increases the potential payout without significantly raising the cost of the ticket. It’s like adding a little insurance policy to your lottery dreams.
Taxes and the True Value of the Prize
If the $250,000 prize had been claimed, the winner wouldn’t have taken home the full amount. Lottery winnings are subject to federal and state taxes. The federal government imposes a 24% tax on winnings over $5,000, and Michigan has a 4.25% state tax. For a $250,000 prize, approximately $70,625 would be withheld, leaving the winner with about $179,375. That’s still a substantial amount—enough to make a significant difference in someone’s life.
Understanding the tax implications of lottery winnings is crucial. I’ve spoken to friends who’ve won smaller lottery prizes, and they were surprised by how much was taken out for taxes. If you ever win a big prize, it’s wise to consult a financial advisor to plan how to use the money effectively.
The Bigger Picture: Lottery Wins and Life Changes
The story of the unclaimed $250,000 ticket is a reminder that lottery wins, while exciting, come with responsibility. Some winners use their prizes wisely, paying off debts or investing in their future. Others, unfortunately, face challenges after winning. The Michigan Lottery has shared stories of winners whose lives took a turn for the worse after hitting the jackpot, often due to poor financial decisions or external pressures.
This duality of lottery wins—opportunity and risk—is something I’ve always found intriguing. Winning $250,000 could be a blessing, but it requires careful planning to ensure it doesn’t become a burden. If I ever won a prize like that, I’d prioritize paying off my student loans and setting aside a portion for savings. What would you do with $250,000?
A Call to Action: Check Your Tickets Now!
The unclaimed $250,000 Powerball ticket from Kroger is a cautionary tale, but it’s also a call to action. If you’ve ever bought a lottery ticket, especially from the Kroger at 4099 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills, take a moment to check it. Even if it’s not the $250,000 winner, you might have a smaller prize waiting. The Michigan Lottery website lists all unclaimed prizes, so you can see if any match your tickets.
And don’t stop at Powerball. Other games, like Lucky For Life, also have unclaimed prizes. For example, a $25,000-a-year-for-life prize from a ticket sold at Merriman Drugs in Livonia expired on March 26, 2025. These stories show that unclaimed prizes are more common than we think.
Conclusion: Don’t Let Your Dreams Slip Away
The unclaimed $250,000 Powerball ticket sold at Kroger is a stark reminder to stay vigilant when playing the lottery. It’s easy to buy a ticket, dream of winning, and then forget about it. But as this story shows, forgetting can cost you dearly. By checking your tickets promptly, storing them safely, and understanding the claiming process, you can ensure you never miss out on a prize.
As someone who’s been guilty of letting tickets pile up unchecked, I’m taking this story to heart. I’ve already gone through my desk to check any old tickets, and I’m encouraging you to do the same. Who knows? You might be the next person to claim a life-changing prize—or at least a few bucks for a coffee.
So, grab those tickets, visit the Michigan Lottery website, or open the app. Your $250,000 dream might be waiting, but it won’t wait forever.
