AUBURN, MICH (AP) -- A downstate man is still cashing in on food assistance, despite a $2 million jackpot win.
Leroy Fick won the $2 million jackpot in the "Make Me Rich!" contest in June.
Despite receiving about $850,000 in winnings, the Auburn resident is still using his Michigan Bridge Card, an electronic alternative to food stamps.
Fick's lawyer says his client hasn't done anything illegal. Attorney John Wilson tells The Bay City Times the state knows Fick won the lottery money, since it "issued the check."
DHS inspector general's office director Al Kimichik says food assistance on the Bridge card is guided by federal regulations.
State Department of Human Services spokeswoman Gisgie Gendreau says under federal guidelines, if a person receives a lump-sum payment, the winnings are not counted as income.
There is a bill being discussed in Lansing that will change the law in regards to lottery winnings and public assistance.
If House Bill 6534 passes, as part of the recent call for welfare reform in Lansing, those who get help in the form of bridge cards or cash assistance won't be able to get more than $600 in "help" from the Michigan lottery.
Bottom line according to State Representative Tom McMillin (R-45th District): "If you are compelled to play the lottery just get off welfare. I am not saying that everyone that is poor is on welfare, I am not saying that everybody that is poor shouldn't pay the lottery, but if you are on welfare and you are taking our taxpayer money, I think that they should, that we should deter them from throwing their money away."
Do you think people who win the lottery or get a large lump sum of money and are on welfare should have to pay back the state a certain amount out of their winnings? Tell us "Your Point of View" by voting in the poll below and leaving your comments.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
