http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/07/us/michigan-lottery-winner/

Quote :

"(CNN) -- Amanda Clayton hit it big playing the Michigan Lottery. Like many winners, she used her $1 million prize to buy a new house. But the Lincoln Park, Michigan, resident is receiving money in another form -- $200 a month in state food assistance, according to CNN Detroit affiliate WDIV. "I thought that they would cut me off, but since they didn't, I thought, maybe, it was OK because I'm not working," Clayton, 24, told WDIV when it asked whether it was appropriate for her to receive the money. Now a state lawmaker is trying to stop such assistance, which is not illegal. He says the food assistance should not go to those who have found riches through the lottery. "We need to continue to protect our taxpayers' dollars ... and taxpayer dollars should be going to those who really do need assistance," Michigan Rep. Dale Zorn of Ida Township told HLN's Vinnie Politan on Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Human Services said it agrees that the system needs to change. The agency told WDIV that it is difficult to verify if the financial situation changes for a person who gets public assistance. "DHS relies on clients being forthcoming about their actual financial status. If they are not, and continue to accept benefits, they may face criminal investigation and be required to pay back those benefits," the agency told the affiliate. "Our Office of Inspector General will continue to vigorously pursue any and all abuse and fraud in the welfare system," the agency added. In October, Clayton walked away with $1 million in the "Make Me Rich!" lottery game show. She also bought a car, WDIV reported. After taking a lump sum and paying taxes, the unemployed woman said she ended up with just more than $500,000. Asked if she had the right to the public assistance money, Clayton answered, "I kind of do. I have no income, and I have bills to pay. I have two houses." Zorn said the state House has passed bills on the matter. One would require a state agency to conduct an assets test if a citizen wins more than $1,000 in lottery earnings. "That will trigger whether or not the people are eligible to receive public assistance." The legislature has not approved any final measures. Clayton told WDIV she would continue using the food-assistance card until it is cut off. "It's hard. I am struggling.""

3/8/2012 10:41:52 AM

They might as well just keep her on welfare.

it won't be long before she squanders all of her winnings, loses her houses, and is back to square one.

3/8/2012 10:44:15 AM

this is depressing as hell.

3/8/2012 10:45:10 AM

3/8/2012 10:47:01 AM

3/8/2012 10:47:36 AM

Quote :

"They might as well just keep her on welfare. it won't be long before she squanders all of her winnings, loses her houses, and is back to square one."

3/8/2012 10:47:51 AM

IBODB

3/8/2012 10:49:13 AM

The article says that assistance has been pulled. Might have been in the latest update.

But yeah

3/8/2012 10:50:00 AM

welfare at work, ladies and gentlemen!

3/8/2012 10:50:42 AM

Quote :

"A Michigan woman who won the lottery but continued to receive food assistance from the state government has had her benefits pulled, officials said."

looks like it worked to me.

3/8/2012 10:53:47 AM

I'm guessing his point was that it is an example of someone on welfare who had absolutely 0 intention of getting off of welfare, ever.

3/8/2012 10:55:33 AM

This might be a stupid question, but what do lottery/gambling winnings count as, as opposed to income? Fortunately for me, I've only gambled money and lost in life so I've never had to deal with complications like getting taxed because of it.

3/8/2012 11:01:09 AM

Quote :

"They might as well just keep her on welfare. it won't be long before she squanders all of her winnings, loses her houses, and is back to square one."

3/8/2012 11:05:38 AM

She's 24? She should have just taken the winnings over 20 years and not the lump sum. She'd get more money and it'd be spaced out so she wouldn't waste it all like she seems like she is bound to do.

3/8/2012 11:07:59 AM

^really?

I mean, maybe in her case (ie, someone who has no clue how to handle money) it would be better for her that way. But if you have intentions of investing the money properly it is always better to take the lump sum. Time value of money, etc.

3/8/2012 11:10:26 AM

wonder if she completely paid for her 2nd house or just put a down payment on it? cause you know she won't be able to make those mortgage payments for long

3/8/2012 11:10:57 AM

^^The other side of the coin is assessing whether or not you (or she) can handle getting a huge lump sum and handling it versus getting basically a healthy salary for 20 years.

Time value of money only works if you keep the money instead of turning it into a solid gold rocket car before the week is out.

3/8/2012 11:15:02 AM

This is everything thats wrong with this country and the reason we're going to shit by the end of this decade

3/8/2012 11:15:20 AM

wake up, you're already there!!

3/8/2012 11:21:08 AM

Social Security Disability benefits are even worse

being in the middle class sucks

3/8/2012 11:27:57 AM

I would go to vegas and put it all on black

3/8/2012 11:46:25 AM

Always bet on Black!

3/8/2012 11:48:36 AM

Quote :

"They might as well just keep her on welfare. it won't be long before she squanders all of her winnings, loses her houses, and is back to square one. dead like a significant number of lottery winners"

3/8/2012 11:55:10 AM

she got busted for welfare fraud

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/17/11248179-michigan-lottery-winner-charged-with-welfare-fraud?lite>=43001

4/18/2012 3:55:23 PM

bout time

4/18/2012 4:00:28 PM

yup

4/18/2012 4:02:12 PM

what an idiot.

Also, how much house does $1,000,000 buy in Michigan? I'm picturing something like the Biltmore Estate.

4/18/2012 4:02:30 PM

lock the bitch up

4/18/2012 4:05:37 PM

lump sum at $700k

over what period of time would they pay her the $1m. $300k is a big chunk of $1m

4/18/2012 4:13:42 PM

why are folks on welfare wasting money on the lottery?

4/18/2012 4:18:46 PM

Quote :

"The situation was revealed when WDIV interviewed Clayton, who said she thought it might be acceptable to continue using food stamps because she wasn’t working."

That's not the requirement you stupid bitch.

Jesus Christ, how are some people seriously this stupid.

^Happens all the fucking time.

I've been in the store and seen these people buy lottery tickets, cigarettes and beer, then use their EBT card to buy food.

It's taken every bit of restraint I have to not go off on these stupid fucks when I see them do this.

[Edited on April 18, 2012 at 4:32 PM. Reason : .]

4/18/2012 4:26:10 PM

4/18/2012 4:30:57 PM

^^ you've got some serious anger issues bro

4/18/2012 4:34:00 PM

Why?

Because government assistance is for people who actually need it and I get pissed off when I see someone who has cash to blow on cigs, alcohol and lottery, but then lets the government buy their food?

One reason this country is in the situation it is is because of stupid fucks like that.

Hell, it wouldn't be that bad if they bought them on separate visits to the store, but to have two separate transactions, one where yuo buy your goodies with cash, and then do another one to pay for your food with your EBT card, it just makes you look like a worthless sack of shit.

As a tax payer, that should make you angry also.

4/18/2012 4:40:28 PM

amen brother!

4/18/2012 4:45:23 PM

Quote :

"solid gold rocket car"

4/18/2012 5:48:39 PM

According to the video attached to the second article, she received over $5,000 over the course of 8 months since she won the lottery...so it's not just $200/month in food stamps. It's actually over $625/month in food/medical assistance.

And she says, "Oh, I thought I could keep getting it because I'm not working," which demonstrates an understanding that it is for people with no income. But she also collected welfare for 5 months without notifying them that she was employed...so no pleading ignorance there.

4/18/2012 6:04:05 PM

Am I the only one that is surprised that she is white?

4/18/2012 6:07:38 PM

^Probably.

4/18/2012 6:08:27 PM

Bullshit.

I'm just the only one who will say it.

4/18/2012 6:09:32 PM

If I agreed with you I would say so.

4/18/2012 6:15:35 PM

Quote :

"Am I the only one that is surprised that she is white?"

i actually pictured a white trash woman when i started reading. of course, the name tends to give that away (i assume there are very few latino/black/asian/etc people named Amanda Clayton).

if she loses all that money and becomes broke again, she shouldn't get welfare. instead, she should be left to die in a gutter somewhere like nature intended.

4/18/2012 6:25:24 PM

^^^^^

You're not even playing the odds right.

There are way more white people on welfare than non-white people. And the ability to be dishonest with the government and dishonest with one's self is bestowed equally on all races.

4/18/2012 7:42:07 PM

More white people on Welfare?

That's racist.

There is no way one race does something more than the other one.




Also, black people rarely win the lottery.

4/18/2012 7:44:05 PM

You're racist for calling him racist. Now I'm racist too.

Dag nabbit.

4/18/2012 8:49:39 PM

Resolution:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/09/29/lottery-winner-dies/1603257/

11/28/2012 4:25:12 PM

I'm impressed

Quote :

"They might as well just keep her on welfare. it won't be long before she squanders all of her winnings, loses her houses, and is back to square one. dead like a significant number of lottery winners"

Quote :

"if she loses all that money and becomes broke again, she shouldn't get welfare. instead, she should be left to die in a gutter somewhere like nature intended."

11/28/2012 4:29:16 PM

Congrats TWW on successful death prediction?

11/28/2012 4:36:10 PM

Social Darwinism at its best

11/28/2012 4:36:13 PM

wow, i guess money doesn't buy happiness...

11/28/2012 4:39:34 PM