Food For Thought

[Solo_LTSurvivor]

A Michigan man who won $2 million in a state lottery game continues to collect food stamps 11 months after striking it rich.

And there's nothing the state can do about it, at least for now.

Leroy Fick, 59, of Auburn won $2 million in the state lottery TV show "Make Me Rich!" last June. But the state's Department of Human Services determined he was still eligible for food stamps, Fick's attorney, John Wilson of Midland, said Tuesday.

Eligibility for food stamps is based on gross income and follows federal guidelines; lottery winnings are considered liquid assets and don't count as income. As long as Fick's gross income stays below the eligibility requirement for food stamps, he can receive them, even if he has a million dollars in the bank.

Food stamps are paid for through tax dollars and are meant to help support low-income families.

"If you're going to try to make me feel bad, you're not going to do it," Fick told WNEM-TV in Saginaw on Monday.

Wilson said Fick told the DHS officials he'd won $2 million but was told he could keep using the Bridge Card issued to him to buy groceries.

Fick could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Al Kimichik, director of the office of inspector general for DHS, said the department could not comment on individual cases but that it this week began the process of requesting a waiver from the federal government to close the lottery loophole. If it is granted, assets would be counted in determining food stamp eligibility.

Though the food stamp program is federal and states must follow U.S. guidelines, states sometimes request waivers of rules. Michigan was granted a waiver recently to stop college students from qualifying for food stamps.

"For Leroy Fick to continue to use a Bridge Card, paid for by the taxpayers, after winning the lottery, is obscene," said Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge. "What a waste of taxpayer money."

Jones contacted DHS officials Monday about Fick's case, and was told the department's hands were tied by federal regulations.

"There is no liquid asset requirement for getting food stamps," Jones said. "The department is asking the federal government for an immediate change (in policy). They're hoping this case will help the federal government act."

Until then, Fick can collect food stamps and keep his lottery winnings in the bank.

"I am not going to sit and debate the ethics of this," Wilson said. "But from his standpoint, he did what he was supposed to do -- he informed the state, and the state said he could keep using the card. The problem is with the state."

More here

[Ann]

Leroy Fick should be ashamed of himself. With two million in the bank he does not need food stamps. I'm all for people who need help getting that help, but this guy doesn't need the help any more.

OK, I can understand wanting to close the loophole that enables lottery winners to continue collecting food stamps, but for Michigan to obtain a waiver to stop college students from collecting food stamps is just plain MEAN.

Not all college students come from money and so many struggle to live while doing their studies. You need adequate nutrition while learning. You would think that the government would do anything they could to help these kids from less well-off backgrounds prepare for their future as fiscally contributing adults. But no, that makes too much sense.

[phildinftlaudy]

The guy should be ashamed --

Just an FYI, I worked for the state of Florida a few years back processing food stamp applications.  In Florida, the maximum amount of unemployment a person can collect per week is a pathetic $275 per week.  If a single individual collects the max unemployment of $275 a week it is multiplied by 4.3 weeks in a month (to account for the two months of the year that have 5 weeks) which comes out to $1,182.50 - this amount puts a household with a single individual about $50 over the limit to be eligible to receive food stamps. 

I used to feel so bad for people who were single, were collecting $1,182.50 in unemployment benefits from having lost their job - had  a rent payment of $700 or more a month - and were not eligible to collect food stamps.  The maximum food stamp amount a single individual can collect is $200 a month (not much to be able to get food for a month).  The rent and utility amounts don't factor into the equation unless the person is within the range to be eligible.  Just another obstacle the government has put up that penalizes single people.

[wolfter]

Do different states follow different guidelines?  I believe Ohio counts all assets in determining any eligibility for ANY state assistance. 

[phildinftlaudy]

The Federal Rules are the same across states; however, states can apply for waivers to try different pilot programs, including some states not allowing college students to be eligible.  So, they (the states) do have some flexibility; however, any waivers have to be approved by the feds - same with Medicare/Medicaid - even though these two programs (particularly Medicaid) give states a lot more flexibility on how to run the programs.

[CaptCarl]

"If you're going to try to make me feel bad, you're not going to do it," Fick told WNEM-TV in Saginaw on Monday.More here

Which tells us everything we need to know about the charachter, (or lack thereof) of this scumbag. I hope that they yank it, and then he's stupid nought ot fight it and winds up burning through his winnings trying to do it.

What a completely self centered Fuckwad. I hope he chokes to death on something he buys with his fucking food stamps...

CaptCarl

[phildinftlaudy]

Which tells us everything we need to know about the charachter, (or lack thereof) of this scumbag. I hope that they yank it, and then he's stupid nought ot fight it and winds up burning through his winnings trying to do it.

What a completely self centered Fuckwad. I hope he chokes to death on something he buys with his fucking food stamps...

Something tells me he won't be one of the ones selected to get caught up in the rapture on Saturday...

[Solo_LTSurvivor]

Leroy Fick should be ashamed of himself. With two million in the bank he does not need food stamps. I'm all for people who need help getting that help, but this guy doesn't need the help any more.

The guy should be ashamed --

Which tells us everything we need to know about the character, (or lack thereof) of this scumbag.
CaptCarl

For those of you who wanted to put a face to this fucker

[anniebc]

For those of you who wanted to put a face to this fucker

Some people have no shame..and what the hell is wrong with your Goverment allowing him to continue collectnig food stamps...it's just wrong.

Aroha
Jan