You have 365 days to claim a Lotto win. Here's how to get paid

South Africa's R112 million PowerBall jackpot from the 13 October draw has been claimed by a woman from Meyerton in Gauteng, who bought her ticket at OK Foods Meyerton (The South African). If you're holding a winning ticket of your own, big or small, the clock is already running: every National Lottery prize must be claimed within 365 days of the draw (The South African).

Who won the R112 million?

The winner was the only ticket to match all five numbers (3, 15, 24, 30, 31) plus PowerBall 7 in draw 1763 (The South African). She told the operator, Sizekhaya, that she plays only now and then while her husband has played for years. "It will definitely change our lives," she said (The Citizen). Her name has not been released.

How long do you have to claim a Lotto or PowerBall prize?

You have 365 days from the date of the winning draw. After that the ticket expires and the prize is forfeited. Half of the unclaimed money goes to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund for good causes and Sizekhaya keeps the other half to help fund future jackpots (The South African, lottery.co.za).

What should you do first if you've won?

If you played with a paper ticket, fill in your name, ID number and address on the back straight away and keep it somewhere safe. That stops anyone else from claiming it (lottery.co.za). Sizekhaya gave the same advice to the R112 million winner before she came forward (The South African).

A torn, faded or damaged ticket can still be paid out as long as the serial number is intact and your details match Sizekhaya's records (The South African).

Where do you claim, and how fast is the payout?

It depends on how much you won and how you played, according to Sizekhaya's process as reported by The Citizen:

• Store ticket, up to R10,000: claim at a participating lottery retailer.
• Up to R249,999: claim online, paid by EFT from your Sizekhaya iLottery wallet, processed within 72 working hours.
• Played on a banking app: smaller wins are paid into your bank account automatically. Nedbank, for example, pays wins of R249,999 or less into the account you played from within seven working days (Nedbank).
• Any amount: you can also claim at a Sizekhaya office, with payment made electronically within 72 hours.

Larger prizes need a Prize Claim Form, valid ID and an in-person visit to one of Sizekhaya's eight regional offices once your ticket has been validated. If you played through a bank, also take your ticket reference number and a recent bank statement (lottery.co.za, The South African). Thresholds for each claim route have changed over the years, so confirm the current cut-off with Sizekhaya before you travel.

Where are Sizekhaya's offices?

Sizekhaya has regional offices in Rivonia (Gauteng), Cape Town, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Mbombela, Klerksdorp and Umhlanga (lottery.co.za). The call centre is on 086 102 6000, or email [email protected] (Sizekhaya).

Do jackpot winners get any help?

Yes. Sizekhaya offers big winners free, confidential counselling and financial guidance once they come forward (The South African).