Public Assistance Pulled from Lottery Winner

Seriously. She thought she should still get it after winning a million. She owned two homes was her reasoning.

Video at link:






http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/07/us/michigan-lottery-winner/index.html?iref=obnetwork


(CNN) -- A Michigan woman who won the lottery but continued to receive food assistance from the state government has had her benefits pulled, officials said.
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 continued to receive money in another form -- $200 a month in state food assistance, according to CNN Detroit affiliate WDIV.
Her story made headlines, and on Thursday, the state's Department of Human Services announced that she is no longer getting the benefits.
According to Michigan law, welfare recipients must report any changes in assets or income to the agency within 10 days.
The department "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," Director Maura Corrigan said in a statement.
She said the agency supports new legislation that would verify whether lottery winners receive state benefits.
"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.
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.
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 had wanted to continue using a food-assistance card until it is cut off. "It's hard. I am struggling."

 

Wait.... she owns two houses but has no job? :smt017

I know the housing market is currently shit, but if she's having problems getting by then sell or rent out one or both houses? :smt102

 

Unreal. :smt009

 

as it should be

 

As you know lotto winners who get public asisstance don't have lobbiests only wealthy people who receive corporate and other welfare programs. Yes,she was stupid to say it on TV but,the people must be very angry of those who get six times the welfare.

 

I agree that if she owns two houses she should rent out at least one of them, maybe even rent out a room or two in the other (if it's big enough). If she has a means to make money, she should not be getting benefits.

 

This chick is r.a.w with it

Glad they pulled her bennies

She needs to be investigated because 1 mil should last some a good while. At least cut her off for 5 years

 

Didn't yall see Ol Dirty Bastard pull up to the welfare office in his limo to get his check. Only in America people

 

ahh well the poor people that needed the money didn't get it. no welfare reform
c'est la vie

 

I could not agree more!! People like this make it seem like everyone on government benefits is scamming the system in one way or another.

I would go a step further and say she should pay it all back with interest and then be blocked from receiving bennies ever again. :smt066 (But, I'm mean like that so...)

 

this is bullshit

people actually need government benefits, but slick ass mothafuckas like them make it harder

 

Update:

Michigan $1 Million Lotto Winner Who Was Charged With Welfare Fraud Found Dead
5 hrs ago



"A woman who admitted to receiving food stamps after winning $1 million on a Michigan state lotto game show was found dead today.

The circumstances surrounding Amanda Clayton's death were not immediately released by police, but ABC News' Detroit affiliate WXYZ-TV reported that sources within the police department said they suspect the woman died of an overdose...."

More...
http://news.yahoo.com/michigan-1-mi...are-fraud-230559229--abc-news-topstories.html

****
The old adage rears its head...Money doesn't always =/buy happiness...

 

Very true, its the case of more money just multiplying your poor character flaws.

If you are a broke drug addict you do whatever to get that next high

If you are a rich drug addict you spend your resources on high after high after high

 

Another cursed lotto winner.

 

If winning the lottery is a curse...


I would love to be cursed.

 

lol no kidding. It always seems like the biggest fuckups win the lottery and blow it all away (or in this case dies)

 

Me too..