Comments on: Michigan Lottery Winner on Food Stamps

By: The Saved Quarter

The Saved Quarter — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 19:27:12 +0000

Here in California, there is an asset limit as well as an income limit for those without kids, so he couldn’t have that in the bank and still get SNAP (formerly food stamps). It’s meant to be a temporary hand up, and one he has the lottery winnings, he no longer needs that hand.

My family was on SNAP for a little over a year, dropping it in February not because we didn’t qualify but because we felt that we could manage food into our budget again. Although our income was clearly under the limit, and I was using the time with SNAP to make responsible financial choices to keep us off of assistance in the future, I still got a lot of flak. I can’t imagine how this guy will go to the grocery store and not get a lot of negative feedback from fellow customers!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 25 May 2011 02:34:34 +0000

I live in Windsor, Ontario, and if I look out my window right now, I can see the GM building in Detroit.
I have a few friends from various parts of Michigan, and some of them use or used the Bridge Card. The way that works can be bizarre at times. Some stores allow you to purchase whatever you want with it (including liquor/luxury foods) because of the way they scanned them in at the till.
A couple other people I have met through those friends were drug dealers, or pimps or whatever, and didn’t claim any of their income, for obvious reasons. They would roll up to the grocery store in their Dodge Charger, wearing new shoes, and pay with the bridge card.
Basically, there are so many ways to cheat the system, and people are aware, and there aren’t enough people policing it. if they could afford to hire more people to look into the recipients situations, much of that would go away. in windsor, we seem to have plenty of people doing that, we should send a few over.
(note i am not saying what the lottery winner did was right, just giving some context)

By: Mrs Money

Mrs Money — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:22:41 +0000

Jaimi- Good for you for teaching your children the right thing! Hopefully this guy will wise up soon.

By: Mrs Money

Mrs Money — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:22:22 +0000

Mrs. A- Exactly. That’s my big problem- he’s taking the tax dollars from working folks and using the resources other families really NEED. What an idiot.

By: Mrs Money

Mrs Money — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:21:31 +0000

Jana- I agree. It is appalling. I hate that he’s using resources that could be going to families and children that actually need it!

By: Mrs Money

Mrs Money — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:20:57 +0000

Money Beagle- I love Michigan, and I hate that the economy is so bad there! Shame on the guy is right. I don’t know how he can do this and not feel bad about it!

By: Mrs Money

Mrs Money — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:20:14 +0000

Sandy- I agree. I think the system is flawed too. It’s really sad because I know there are people struggling, and he’s just using up resources that could go to people who really need it!

By: Mrs Money

Mrs Money — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:19:28 +0000

Jenny- I know! I think it’s nuts too. I didn’t want to sound all judgmental, but I don’t know if there’s any way you could consider this right!

By: Jaimi B

Jaimi B — Tue, 24 May 2011 17:21:51 +0000

This is a prime example for one of the things that I am trying to teach my children: “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should” That man is shameful.

By: Mrs. Accountability

Mrs. Accountability — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:59:00 +0000

I’m with Money Beagle, shame on this guy. He’s old enough to know better. He’s taking money from families who need it, and he’s taking tax dollars from the working folks. I don’t know how it is in Michigan to stay on food stamps, but in Arizona, when I was on food stamps, you have to go to an appointment every 90 days and bring every bill you owe, and if you even get $25 as a birthday gift you have to claim it and then they lower your food stamps the following month. At least that’s how it was ten years ago. No fun and a big hassle in my opinion!