Win the lottery, keep your food stamps.

[highland145]

Because it's not considered income if you take the lump sum payout.:\

A Michigan man who won $2 million from a state lottery is reportedly still eligible to receive food stamps.
Leroy Fick of Bay County, Mich., said in an interview with WNEM-TV that he still uses his bridge card at stores despite winning a jackpot on "Make Me Rich!" last June.
"I even called them and asked about the bridge card and (the Department of Human Services) said you can go ahead and keep it if you want to," Fick reportedly told the station.
Fick claims he paid more than half of his winnings in taxes -- leaving him about $850,000 -- according to the station.
State Department of Human Services spokeswoman Gisgie Gendreau told MyFoxDetroit.com that under federal guidelines, lottery winnings are not counted as income if a person receives a lump-sum payment.
Nearly 1.9 million Michigan residents are enrolled in the food assistance program. More than 805,000 are children, according to the Detroit Free Press.
In 2009, the Office of Inspector General investigated more than 2,600 food assistance complaints, finding more than $5 million in fraud.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/1...amps-winning-2-million-jackpot/#ixzz1Mi0obodD
​

 

[sdifox]

how is it not income? I can see if you don't tax them again because they already paid the tax, but it is still income.

 

[highland145]

how is it not income? I can see if you don't tax them again because they already paid the tax, but it is still income.

Damned if I know. It was taxed which should imply income.

 

[RKS]

It's initially taxed as and considered income but not for calculating eligibility for the Bridge Card?

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

It's assumed that will all be spent on hookers and blow by the end of the month. Therefore they still need money to eat as you can not get all the nutrition you need from hookers and blow.

 

[her209]

Definitely should be counted as income.

 

[dquan97]

I thought food stamps (SNAP program) has limitations on how much asset you can keep

 

[Macamus Prime]

Well, since he needed food stamps to begin with, we all know he will use it to buy drugs. I mean, thats what ALL poor people do. They buy drugs,... and mug white people; ALL THE FUCKING TIME.

 

[ahenkel]

Well in a way he's already paid for his benefits at least up to the amount he paid in taxes

 

[JTsyo]

So if he puts the money in the bank and gets interest, that'll count as income and kick him out of the program?

 

[highland145]

Well, since he needed food stamps to begin with, we all know he will use it to buy drugs. I mean, thats what ALL poor people do. They buy drugs,... and mug white people; ALL THE FUCKING TIME.

Bastard should mug people from another race beside his own.

Bastard.

Well in a way he's already paid for his benefits at least up to the amount he paid in taxes

Um, nope.

 

[paperfist]

So if he puts the money in the bank and gets interest, that'll count as income and kick him out of the program?

Only if he brings in his bank statement when it's time for renewal.

 

[nanette1985]

I thought food stamps (SNAP program) has limitations on how much asset you can keep

Definitely does here in NJ. Though some things don't count, like a house.

 

[spidey07]

That's some straight up bullshit. A millionaire getting food stamps. Notice he feels no shame or guilt in doing so either.

 

[Harrod]

It always amazes me that people on food stamps have the money to buy lotto tickets.

 

[highland145]

That's some straight up bullshit. A millionaire getting food stamps. Notice he feels no shame or guilt in doing so either.

He became one of those evil rich people I keep hearing about. Course he started off as one of those burdens on the system that I hear about, too.:hmm:

 

[spidey07]

Also, the reason it's not counted as income is because it's counted as capital gains and TAXED at income rates. But technically it's not income.

 

[highland145]

Also, the reason it's not counted as income is because it's counted as capital gains and TAXED at income rates. But technically it's not income.

That makes sense.

F-ed up tax code may not.

 

[alkemyst]

Well, since he needed food stamps to begin with, we all know he will use it to buy drugs. I mean, thats what ALL poor people do. They buy drugs,... and mug white people; ALL THE FUCKING TIME.

this is so true. But not just white people...anyone.

 

[zinfamous]

they'll probably be poor again before the year is over.

so, this seems necessary.

 

[Train]

investigated more than 2,600 food assistance complaints, finding more than $5 million in fraud.

sheesh, that's an avg of $1,923 per complaint. sigh.

 

[mugs]

Also, the reason it's not counted as income is because it's counted as capital gains and TAXED at income rates. But technically it's not income.

No... gambling winnings are ordinary income.

 

[PingSpike]

It always amazes me that people on food stamps have the money to buy lotto tickets.

There's 3 easy ways off the top of my head:
1) Live in boyfriend who "isn't part of the household" has a job while mom is poor on paper.
2) Work under the table, get welfare, food stamps, subsidized health care and maybe unemployment while having plenty of spending money
3) Sells drugs for a living. Obviously that isn't on the books income.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

the reason they were on food stamps wasn't because they hadn't won the lottery

winning wont change anything long term. IMO. not at that kind of winnings at least.

 

[JTsyo]

the reason they were on food stamps wasn't because they hadn't won the lottery

winning wont change anything long term. IMO. not at that kind of winnings at least.

How do you figure? 800K @ 5% is 40K a year. I would think that's a livable income.