Joyce Womack of Greensburg said she originally threw away her Powerball ticket for the March 23 drawing but dug it out of the trash when she realized she hadn't checked the numbers-and it's a good thing she did. The ticket was worth $10,000.

The 41-year-old's ticket matched four out of five whiteball numbers as well as the red Powerball number, but Womack didn't know exactly how much she had won until arriving at Louisiana Lottery headquarters on Thursday. "I had no idea, but I'm not mad about it," she joked.

Womack received $7,000 after state and federal taxes were withheld. She said she plans to pay bills and put the rest of the money in the bank. She purchased her winning ticket at Kentwood Plaza on Avenue G in Kentwood. 

Ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age. Draw-style game tickets must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing. Anyone who may have a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem should call toll free 1-877-770-7867 for help.

For security purposes, the Lottery strongly encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing.