Lottery loophole still needs to be closed
from Rep. Paul Opsommer
As a result of recent audits and legislative action, the Michigan Department of Human Services identified individuals receiving excessive public assistance and also removed an estimated 30,000 college students from a food assistance program that they were never supposed to be on.
Initial estimates show the changes will save taxpayers at least $75 million. State Rep. Paul Opsommer is pleased with progress to eliminate abuse in the Bridge Card system, but also stressed the need for additional reforms to ensure that only those truly in need have access to benefits.
Opsommer said the next step in removing abuse is requiring an asset test before benefits are distributed to help find people like large lottery winners, who may not have a monthly income but have obvious asset levels that prove they should not be on public assistance.
House Bill 4791, sponsored by Opsommer, would require financial need to be shown before food assistance benefits are granted and would eliminate the lottery loophole.
“Great strides have been made to remove abuse in our food assistance programs, but more work is necessary to ensure that only those who truly need assistance have access to it,” said Opsommer, R-DeWitt. “The next logical step is requiring an asset test to ensure financial need before benefits are granted. Making sure that lottery winners and others who aren’t truly in need aren’t living on public assistance makes sure we can get it to the right people.”
HB 4791 is waiting consideration before the House Committee on Families, Children and Seniors.