Local Idiocy Of The Day: Win the Lottery, Stay on Food Stamps.

The Detroit News: $2M Michigan lottery winner defends use of food stamps


So if you won $2 Million from the State Lottery, how many of you, dear readers, would stay on food stamps?

Lottery winner Leroy Fick (sadly of Michigan) has no problem doing so:

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.

One shame on Mr. Fick for ficking around and continuing to draw on public largess after winning that kind of money. I don't know a lot of people that would even consider receiving public assistance after winning 2 million, but apparently its ok by the state and Mr. Fick.

Also, I'm rather amazed at the stupidity of a federal and state system that doesn't consider liquid assets as part of the calculation for eligibility for public assistance. Liquid assets by definition are liquid and can be used to support oneself without reliance upon the public purse.

The mind boggles at the sheer idiocy of the system in action.