Morrisville woman stops for groceries, bags a $25,000 A Year For Life prize

August 23, 2019 Posted by NC Lottery at 2:21 PM

For Cheryl Blanchette of Morrisville, a $25,000 A Year For Life prize means no more student loans.

“This is truly life-changing,” said Blanchette, who just graduated with her masters in communications. “I never planned to go back to school, but a few years ago I felt it was time for a career change. Now that I have this, it’s going to wipe the slate clean. To know that I can be debt free. I feel so grateful and blessed.”

Blanchette’s good fortune happened when she stopped to get groceries at the Lowe’s Food on Brier Creek Parkway in Raleigh. While there, she bought a $2 Lucky For Life ticket for Thursday’s drawing. She checked the ticket early Friday morning.

“I scanned the ticket using the lottery app,” Blanchette said. “It told me I had a winning ticket, but of course you never think you won one of the top prizes. I checked the numbers myself and was in shock. I was like, ‘What is this? I think I just won.’ This is just amazing!”

Blanchette claimed her prize Friday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. Winners are guaranteed $25,000 a year for life, but have the option of taking a lump sum of $390,000. Blanchette chose the lump sum option. After federal and state tax withholdings, she took home $275,925.

Blanchette’s ticket matched the five white balls to win the prize. It beat odds of one in 1.8 million. Lucky for Life has 10 ways to win a prize. Blanchette won the second-place prize of $25,000 A Year For Life. The top prize is $1,000 A Day For Life.

Ticket sales from games like Lucky for Life made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $700 million a year for education. To learn how lottery funds made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties last year, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.

8 COMMENTS

8/28/2019 12:27 - Tim M.

@NC LOTTERY, I have been under the impression for some time now that if a winner chose the annuity, they would literally get a weekly check for $7000, minus taxes. Is LFL misleading? Do you literally have to examine all of the fine print to catch this? At my age I'd probably choose the lump sum. However, the idea of a weekly check without fail is also enticing. Who wouldn't want to get a check every week like that, especially direct deposit? Even a $364,000 check sounds good but some winners would blow that in less than 6 months. A weekly check sounds better for not wasting as much. NC Lottery
You bring up a great point, Tim. The Lucky For Life rules state that the prizes are paid on an annual basis when the winner chooses the "Annuitized Payment Option". You can view the full rules here: https://nclottery.com/Content/Docs/2.04I%20Lucky%20For%20Life%20Game%20Rules.pdf

8/27/2019 04:08 - Denver G.

LZ. I thought if you do not choose the lump sum for top 2 tier prize you received an anual check, not a weekly check.NC Lottery
That's right, Denver. If a player wins the top prize or second-prize in Lucky for Life and they chose the annuity, their prize would be paid on an annual basis.

8/25/2019 09:55 - Sheila I.

NC Lottery. Thanks! $4885.00 is still GGRREEAATttttt!!!!!

8/24/2019 12:31 - Sheila I.

NC Lottery.... that would truly be a blessing.How much is it after taxes? I guess I will continue to play. I might get lucky ??NC Lottery
The winnings from Lucky For Life would be taxed like any other lottery win. Meaning 24% would be withheld for federal taxes and 5.499% for state taxes. For this game, that would be about $4,885 per week. We would suggest any winner speak to a tax professional to determine exactly what their tax situation would be though.

8/24/2019 12:09 - Denver G.

This 2nd tier win was the 5th this year for NC, and the year is far from over. :D:D:D

8/24/2019 08:31 - Janette B.

Congrat’s!! I thought there were never any winners for this investment of $2.00. I am glad to hear your investment paid off and then some.NC Lottery
Hi Janette, there have been two top prize winners of $1,000/day for life and 22 winners of $25,000/year for life in North Carolina!

8/24/2019 07:19 - Berry B.

U r truly Blessed, this is one games,that is Hard to winner it(Cash is easier to win than this one).Just my opinion!!

8/24/2019 01:07 - Sheila I.

How does the $1000 a day actually distributed?NC Lottery
Hi Sheila, if a winner elects to receive the top "for life" prize, the winnings are distributed in payouts of $7,000 per week for life.

MUST BE 18 TO PLAY. Odds to win a prize and the top prize vary based on the game or promotion. See game or promotion pages for more detail. Problem Gambling Helpline 877-718-5543

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Morrisville woman stops for groceries, bags a $25,000 A Year For Life prize

August 23, 2019 Posted by NC Lottery at 2:21 PM