EuroMillions winner, 71, has not yet been paid and is living ‘out of food banks’

A 71-year-old pensioner has been forced to live off of food banks after a delay on his EuroMillions winnings payout.

Back in July, UK pensioner Pete Daly thought it was his lucky day when his numbers came up on a EuroMillions draw, earning him a nice £582.20. Which isn't a bad return given a ticket costs just £2.50.

After ringing up to claim the cash, Pete was informed the money would be paid out within 10 days, however, over a month on from his lucky draw and Pete is saying that he is yet to see the cash.

And the delay has coincided with a difficult financial period for him.

The 71-year-old says he has been waiting 34 days for the payout (Pete Daly)

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo 34 days over winning, Pete said that he had been told 'a different story' every time he rang up to enquire about the money.

"I won £582.20 and every time I ring them up I get a different story," he said.

"I have been paying for the lottery for 10 years, that is £10 a week, £1,040 every year for 30 years and I finally make £500 and they won’t give me it."

Pete has also claimed that after forking out for his car insurance renewal he has been left without any money to live on until the winnings are paid into his bank.

"When I found out I had won I paid my car insurance off with my entire cash for the month because I was thinking this money would come in to keep me afloat for the month," the pensioner, from Pensby in the Wirral, said.

After being left without enough funds to cover his monthly expenses, Pete has been relying on food banks and can't afford to get a haircut or the new pair of shoes he needs.

"I can’t afford anything because I paid for the car insurance thinking I'd get this money within 10 days."

Pete has since claimed the delay in payout has caused him financial stress (Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Explaining how the cash would make a difference to his day-to-day life, he added: "I’m stuck in the house, I can't afford to go anywhere, I can’t afford the waste of fuel. I need this money, I’m struggling, money is the difference to being able to live, it sorts me to be able to live, not living well, but living."

The National Lottery has since responded to Pete's story, apologising for the delay and claiming to have contacted the 71-year-old to provide an update.

"We’re very sorry to hear the concerns raised and colleagues have now called Mr Daly with an update. We successfully process hundreds – sometimes thousands – of prize claims every week," a spokesperson for lottery operator Allwyn said.

Explaining what is likely the reason for the delay, they added: "This is following the introduction of a revised claims process that we had to bring in earlier this year following the Post Office's decision to no longer pay National Lottery retail prizes between £500.01 and £50,000. Unfortunately, a small number of these claims are delayed for various reasons. However, we're continuing to work on new ways to help further improve the claims process and would like to reassure our winners that they will definitely receive their prize."