Cash4Life is a popular lottery game available in select states across the United States. The game offers two top prizes – $1,000 a Day for Life and $1,000 a Week for Life. With nine different ways to win cash prizes, Cash4Life provides many chances to take home a jackpot.
Cash4Life Prize Levels
Here are the different Cash4Life prize levels:
- $1,000 a Day for Life (top prize)
- $1,000 a Week for Life (second prize)
- $2,500
- $500
- $100
- $25
- $10
- $4
- $2
There are two top prizes in Cash4Life – $1,000 a Day for Life and $1,000 a Week for Life. These prizes give winners steady cash for the rest of their lives. The lower tier prizes offer one-time payouts ranging from $2,500 down to $2.
How to Play Cash4Life
To play Cash4Life, players pick five main numbers between 1 and 60 and one Cash Ball number between 1 and 4. The minimum cost for a ticket is $2.
There are a few ways to choose numbers when playing Cash4Life:
- Quick Pick – Have the lottery terminal randomly select your numbers
- Birthdays – Use important dates like birthdays and anniversaries
- Numerology – Pick numbers with personal meaning
- Consistency – Always play the same set of numbers
Players can increase non-jackpot prizes by paying an extra $1 for the Cash4Life Megaplier option. This multiplier randomly selects a number between 2 and 5 to multiply non-top prize winnings by up to five times the original amount.
Cash4Life Drawings
Cash4Life drawings take place every day of the week at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. Drawings are held in New Jersey at the studio of New Jersey Lottery partner WABC-TV.
Here is the drawing schedule:
- Monday 9:00 PM ET
- Tuesday 9:00 PM ET
- Wednesday 9:00 PM ET
- Thursday 9:00 PM ET
- Friday 9:00 PM ET
- Saturday 9:00 PM ET
- Sunday 9:00 PM ET
Cash4Life drawings are supervised by both the New Jersey Lottery and an independent auditing firm.
Odds of Winning Cash4Life
With different ways to win a prize, Cash4Life offers decent odds compared to other lottery games. However, the odds are still substantial against winning one of the two top prizes. Let’s take a look at the odds for each Cash4Life prize:
| Prize | Odds |
|---|---|
| $1,000 a Day for Life | 1 in 21,846,048 |
| $1,000 a Week for Life | 1 in 7,282,016 |
| $2,500 | 1 in 79,440 |
| $500 | 1 in 12,607 |
| $100 | 1 in 3,529 |
| $25 | 1 in 253 |
| $10 | 1 in 168 |
| $4 | 1 in 26 |
| $2 | 1 in 16 |
As you can see, the odds of hitting the $1,000 a Day for Life jackpot are extremely slim at 1 in 21.8 million. The $1,000 a Week for Life prize has better chances at 1 in 7.3 million. While tough to win, the two top prizes offer incredible payouts if you beat the long odds.
The lower tier prizes have much better odds but lower payouts. A player has the best shot at winning $2, $4 or $10 since the odds are only 1 in 16, 1 in 26 and 1 in 168 respectively.
Ways to Win $1,000 a Day for Life
Matching all six numbers correctly is the only way to win the Cash4Life top prize of $1,000 a Day for Life. The five main numbers plus the Cash Ball must all match the winning numbers drawn. With odds of 1 in 21.8 million, this is no easy feat.
Here are the steps to win $1,000 a Day for Life:
- Pick five main numbers from 1 to 60.
- Pick one Cash Ball number from 1 to 4.
- Match all five main numbers and the Cash Ball number in that exact order.
There are no other ways to win the $1,000 a Day for Life prize. The numbers selected must exactly match the winning numbers drawn. Even if you match five numbers but miss the Cash Ball, you would not win this top jackpot.
Ways to Win $1,000 a Week for Life
Matching five main numbers without the Cash Ball wins the Cash4Life second prize of $1,000 a Week for Life. The odds are 1 in 7.3 million to hit this prize.
Follow these steps for a chance to win $1,000 a Week for Life:
- Pick five numbers from 1 to 60.
- Match all five main numbers in any order.
- The Cash Ball does not need to match.
Matching just the five main numbers wins $1,000 a Week for a minimum of 20 years. If you match four main numbers plus the Cash Ball, you would win a lower tier prize but not one of the top two jackpots.
Ways to Win Lower Tier Cash Prizes
While the likelihood of winning $1,000 a Day or $1,000 a Week for Life is extremely rare, Cash4Life offers better chances at the lower tier prizes:
- $2,500 – Match four main numbers plus the Cash Ball
- $500 – Match four main numbers
- $100 – Match three main numbers plus the Cash Ball
- $25 – Match three main numbers
- $10 – Match two main numbers plus the Cash Ball
- $4 – Match one main number plus the Cash Ball
- $2 – Match just the Cash Ball
These prizes range from $2,500 down to a free ticket value at $2. While not life-changing jackpots, they can still give players a nice cash bonus. The chances of winning these prizes are much more reasonable compared to the top two jackpots.
Ways to Increase Chances of Winning
Certain tips can increase your odds of winning a Cash4Life prize:
- Buy multiple tickets – More tickets equals more chances to win
- Join a pool – Splitting tickets with others improves odds
- Mix up numbers – Don’t just play birthdays or anniversaries
- Play consistently – Playing every drawing avoids missing a potential win
While winning is ultimately based on luck, these tips can help expand the possibilities. Never spend more than you can afford on lottery tickets in the pursuit of a jackpot.
Taxes on Cash4Life Prizes
Cash4Life prizes are subject to both federal and state taxes. Taxes are immediately withheld from the cash option or the initial payment.
- Federal tax – 24% flat tax withholding
- State tax – Varies by state, up to 8% withholding
For the annuity prizes, taxes are only withheld from the initial payment. Future annuity payments are taxed as income by federal and state governments.
Consult a tax professional to minimize taxes owed on any lottery winnings.
Recent Cash4Life Jackpot Wins
Cash4Life top prize wins may be rare, but some lucky players have hit the jackpot:
- June 2022 – $1,000 a Week for Life won in New York
- March 2022- $1,000 a Day for Life won in New Jersey
- February 2022 – $1,000 a Week for Life won in Indiana
Lower tier prizes get hit more frequently. Just in the last year, there have been several $2,500 and $500 winners across Cash4Life states.
Unclaimed Cash4Life Prizes
Cash4Life prizes expire one year from the date of the drawing. Any unclaimed prizes after this period are forfeited.
States that have offered Cash4Life the longest have the most unclaimed prizes:
- New York – Over $2 million in unclaimed prizes
- New Jersey – Around $1.5 million unclaimed
- Pennsylvania – Approximately $350,000 in expired prizes
Players can take steps to avoid this fate for any winning tickets:
- Sign the ticket immediately to establish ownership
- Store ticket in a safe place you’ll remember
- Claim prize within the required time limit
The Appeal of Cash4Life
Cash4Life has grown in popularity for a few key reasons:
- Prizes pay out cash instead of annuities
- Lifetime prize options offer financial stability
- Odds of winning are better than huge jackpot games
- Drawing held every night instead of weekly
The lifetime payouts give players a steady flow of funds without having to manage a single lump payment. And with drawings every night, there are more chances to win compared to weekly games.
Playing Responsibly
Playing the lottery is meant to be fun entertainment. Make sure to play responsibly with these tips:
- Only use discretionary income, not rent or grocery money
- Set a budget and stick to it
- Balance lottery play with other hobbies
- Don’t chase losses or play to make money
- Players must be 18 or older in all states
Talk to a gambling counselor if lottery play ever becomes more than just casual entertainment. The chances of winning are extremely low, so just enjoy the experience and never bet more than you can afford.
Bottom Line
Cash4Life offers nine prize levels with guaranteed cash payouts. Players have two chances to win lifetime jackpots worth $1,000 a Day or $1,000 a Week. Lower prizes provide better odds of taking home $2,500, $500 or even $100.
Winning Cash4Life requires matching numbers to the draw results, with the odds varying based on the prize amount. Consistency, multiple tickets and number strategies may improve your chances. But at the end of the day, winning the Cash4Life top prizes requires an immense amount of luck.
Cash4Life is meant to be fun and exciting. Play responsibly within your budget and remember that the odds heavily favor the lottery.
