Michigander Amanda Clayton said: “I thought they would cut me off, but since they didn’t I thought maybe it was okay because I was not working.”
The 24-year old added: “I feel that it is okay because I have no income, and I have bills to pay. I have two houses.”
A local TV station had been tipped off that Clayton was still using a Bridge card that allowed her to purchase groceries up to the value of $200 a month.
However, Clayton’s failure to inform the state that she had received a payout from the lottery has angered many.
Michigan State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker said of Clayton’s receiving of financial aid: “Food assistance is meant as a safety net for families in need. Million-dollar lottery winners receiving food assistance is nothing more than fraudulent.”
Clayton has not been breaking the law but Michigan state has since introduced legislation that informs the Department of Human Services when an individual receiving financial aid receives more than $1000 payout from the lottery.
They have also, since news of her continued financial assistance from the state has become widespread, stopped her from receiving any further support.
Photo: Getty.
