*Disclaimer: This is not professional advice. I am giving an overview so you can know how to talk to your accountant or tax professional and hopefully make some wise decisions regarding what you enter to win.*I often heard when I was big into using coupons, "I can't use coupons because I am on Food Stamps." That is a myth, and it upset me so much to hear it because coupons could help stretch the amount of groceries that could be bought with the amount of assistance the person receives.
Unlike using coupons, which is considered a DISCOUNT, winning a sweepstakes is considered INCOME! And technically, just because you don't get a 1099-MISC form reported to the IRS for every win, you technically are to report every win. An example wold be going to McDonalds and finding a free fries instant win game piece on your cup. Unlike in previous games, the 2018 Trick. Treat. Win! sweepstakes gives an ARV (average retail value) on each game piece. Reality says you need to report that $2 prize to the IRS at the end of the year, but I don't think many people know that, and I seriously doubt anyone is going to be audited for leaving off a Big Mac win on their income taxes.
However, because sweepstakes wins are considered INCOME, if you are on SSI, Disability, or Public Assistance such as AFDC, keep in mind a win could make you ineligible for what you are receiving.
Only you know how much you can earn in a year and keep eligibility. For many families these programs are literally life saving, keeping a roof over your head benefits that provide what others may take for granted (like being able to buy milk and bread.)
If you win $50,000 in a sweepstakes, chances are that you would accept it even though you would lose your benefits. If you are reliant on medical benefits, that could be a reason to turn it down if your medical expenses are through the roof. (My mother's insurance company covered over one million dollars of bills for her in just the last six months of her life.)
But what if you win a $10,000 trip to Disney? Yes, you may have children who have a trip to Disney World as their biggest dream, but you would likely lose your benefits. I know you might want to take your children to the Magic Kingdom, but would it be worth six months from now when you might not be able to afford bread let alone butter to put on it?
But what about smaller prizes?
I was very ill myself when I started entering contests and sweepstakes. (I had undiagnosed Lyme disease.) By entering, I gave myself something to do, hope that I would win something fun, and the thrill of winning when I did occasionally win. More than once a prize was won exactly when I needed it. I won $2,000 when I had a hospital bill that was about $1,500. Different times when there was little money for groceries I might win things like 24 boxes of cereal or a $500 Wal-Mart card. Of course, fun things were always cheerful pick me ups. I still have (and use) the lava lamp I won when I was so depressed from being sick. It was amazing how it lifted my spirits.
I was ineligible for any assistance even though I could barely even write at times. So I didn't have to be concerned my $100 lava lamp might cost me more than that by losing SNAP benefits because I didn't have them to begin with!
But if you do rely on any forms of assistance, think about what you can win and want to win. Like mentioned above, $50,000 would likely be accepted, but what if you won that in a $50,000 car (of course you could sell the car), or what if you won it in a $50,000 backyard makeover that would include a new patio, etc.
I have always tended to enter for practical things even though I don't receive any assistance I can lose by winning too huge of prizes. I love to travel, so those appeal to me as well. I'm starting to want to win things I can enjoy, but in the past I have always wanted pretty much cash and gift cards that can be used for things like groceries or even bills. (I sell on eBay and have often used prepaid Visa cards to pay my eBay bill!)
So bottom line is don't just assume that you can't enter to win anything because you are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but just use your knowledge to enter wisely for your specific situation. Talk to an accountant or tax professional to find out more details.
*Disclaimer: This is not professional advice. I am giving an overview so you can know how to talk to your accountant or tax professional and hopefully make some wise decisions regarding what you enter to win.*
You can check out my other related blog posts here:
How to Win Sweepstakes and Prizes
How to Win a Skill Contest
How to Win a Voting Contest
How to Win in Twitter Parties
How to Win Amazon Giveaways
How to Win Blog Giveaways
Where to Find Sweepstakes to Enter
What to do when you win a prize.
Should You Keep the News of Winning a Contest Prize a Secret or Tell Everyone?
Are People who Win Prizes Just Lucky Ducks?
Entering Sweepstakes and Public Assistance Like SSI and and Disability
WIN your Christmas
Are you Pressing the Lever on McDonalds Monopoly?
Great advice!
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