Hmmmm, milking the system or what???

14 years ago

A young woman won the Michigan State Lottery and here's her story, defending herself, for collecting food stamps.

People love stories about someone winning the lottery and then giving the money away. They're less likely to feel fondly about Amanda Clayton, who won $1 million in the Michigan State Lottery but is still collecting food stamps.

"I thought that they would cut me off, but since they didn't, I thought maybe it was OK because I'm not working," Clayton, 24, told Local 4 news in Detroit.

Back in December, a woman in Washington State fell under scrutiny when it was revealed she was receiving state economic benefits even though she lives in a $1 million waterfront home on Lake Washington.

Clayton, who says she owns two homes and a new car, receives $200 a month in food assistance from the state-issued Michigan Bridge Card, which is meant to benefit lower-income residents in the nation's eigth most economically depressed state.

Twenty-five percent of Michigan's residents receive some form of food assistance from the state. The state's unemployment rate is 9.3 percent, more than a full point above the national average, but has dropped from a 10.4 percent peak in August.

And Clayton isn't embarrassed about living off the state even though she now finds herself in the nation's top tax bracket. "I mean I kinda do," Clayton told Local 4 when asked if she had a "right" to the government welfare.

She certainly doesn't the fit the mold of other lottery winners we have told you about here at the Sideshow, including the number of repeat winners of the Georgia State Lottery, many of whom chose to donate their initial winnings to charity or family members in need.

Clayton downplayed her wealth, saying she took the $1 million in a lump sump, which meant about half immediately went to taxes. "I feel that it's OK because I mean, I have no income and I have bills to pay," she said. "I have two houses."

Her story has already caught attention locally, where state Republican Rep. Dale Zorn has sponsored a bill preventing individuals like Clayton from taking state financial assistance.

"Public assistance should be given to those who are in need of public assistance, not those who have found riches," Zorn told Local 4. The bill, which has already passed the state House and has a sister bill in the Senate, would require the state to cross check the names of lottery winners over $1,000 to see if they are also receiving state financial benefits.

Here is a link that might be useful: story clicky

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Comments (19)

kudzu9
14 years ago
I have no problem with providing public assistance for those who need it, but this woman is now no longer financially needy. She does, however, demonstrate that she is morally and ethically bankrupt when she tries to rationalize receiving further state aid after her windfall.
Kathsgrdn
14 years ago
I heard on the news that they have taken away her food stamps. People like her just kill me. They have no morals at all.
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lazypup
14 years ago
I love the method they use here in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts if you receive any cash value from welfare the state gives you the cash entitlement + $1 which is listed in the entitlements as intended to purchase a lottery ticket.

Whenever you win more than $5,000 in the Lottery you have to go directly to the lottery commission to collect your winnings. If the amount you won is greater than $10,000 the Lottery then runs the winners name past the welfare role and if that person is on welfare the state takes back the welfare moneys paid out from the lottery winnings and gives the winner the remaining balance.

This has been tried in court numerous times but in each case the state has won because the state contends that they ultimately paid for the ticket and therefore the state is entitled to recover any state monies previously paid out to the winner.
Sally Brownlee
14 years ago
unfortunately this is the next generation. Many (not all) have been so spoiled they do not understand the concept of earning.
I have heard so many young people in favor of more govenment benefits, social healthcare and free education.

I know there will be a few that disagree...it's just my opinion and my experience.
jude31
14 years ago
I didn't see any account of why, at age 24, she isn't working. With 2 houses and a new car she doesn't fit the category of destitute.
wanda_va
14 years ago
I think Massachusetts is 100% right!!!

This woman should have to pay back every penny that has been given to her--and then be ruled ineligible for any future benefits. Time for her to get off her lazy a** and go to work.
alisande
14 years ago
Oh, man. I was going to say I have no words for this, but I came up with a few: What an airhead.
katlan
14 years ago
Yet another example of what is wrong with this country. We truly are turning into a welfare state. She makes me sick.
User
14 years ago
I don't understand how someone who 'needs' welfare has extra money to buy a lottery ticket.

I'm glad the state cut her off. She will probably be back on in a year or so. Many large sum winners blow their money because they do not manage it well.
lazypup
14 years ago
There was a study that was published about two years ago where they tracked over 300 ppl who had won in excess of one million on a state lottery....

Out of the 300, 275 were back exactly where they began or in worse shape within 5 yrs...One woman won $21m and she was over $400m in debt within two years.
sjerin
14 years ago
She sounds short in the smarts department, though I would guess that's just an excuse she used. Yes, many these days are brought up without conscience, nor knowing right from wrong, only trying for what they can get away with.

Salgal, I completely disagree with you on "free healthcare and education." Our country was based on the idea that we are treated equally, not benefiting only those who can pay their own way. Some people, (surely not you,) grab onto these stories of lazy and dishonest people who have recieved welfare, and lump everyone who receives welfare together. Those who are truly deserving, the vast majority in my opinion, are often invisible.
sue_va
14 years ago
Hey, maybe I should get on welfare. I'm not working! I didn't know that was the only qualification.

Of course it isn't right, but apparently it is legal in Michigan. Probably 9 out of 10 people on welfare would agree with her, if they won the lottery.

States better get on the ball and lock the barn, before any more cows get out.

Sue
kudzu9
14 years ago
I'm glad to hear that her benefits are being cut off. In fact, I would like to see the State go after her for any money she collected after she won the lottery. But let's not generalize from one bad apple to most people on welfare. I've known a number of folks who have been on welfare, and they were honest, and appreciative, and tried to get another job ASAP. They wouldn't have even considered continuing to collect benefits if they came into money.
3katz4me
14 years ago
I think many people receiving various government benefits don't realize they're taking money that someone else worked to earn and had taken from them by the government to be given to someone else instead. No problem if an otherwise responsible, accountable person has fallen on tough times or someone through no fault of their own can't cover their own basic needs. Obviously that isn't always the case. Unfortunate but I do think more and more people feel they are entitled to as much material stuff as others even if they didn't work as hard to earn it.
Tabby_cat
14 years ago
There are thieves and crooks around every corner. This girl is the perfect example of the people that are milking the system for all it is worth.

We have 3 rental properties, in the past year we have had 2 deadbeats that we have had to evict. In both cases they had paid on time for a while then when he lost his 'job' (I should have known better, he was an artist) and she lost her job we didn't get paid. I knew there was trouble when even his family would not help. I had to pay all the legal fees, clean out the house and still lost the rental income. What a racket. They moved on and I understand they just pulled the same scam again. There are plenty of jobs out there but the the lazy bums think they are beneath them. Scam artists.
jannie
14 years ago
I saw this in my local paper. According to a financial expert, the best way to take your winning lottery money is to take the "lump sum" payout, not yearly payments. Pay the tax out of the lump sum and the rest is yours! My husband's brother once won a brand new car in a charity giveaway drawing. He was mad because he had to pay income tax on it!
Sally Brownlee
14 years ago
Sjerin...I do agree there is a time and place for welfare, education, and healthcare (and others) assistance. (my MIL is currently is a state assisted home,) I know people that are very deserving that do all they can to avoid help and/or get themselves off as soon as possible.
I also know a few that abuse that system and feel entitled simply because ???
Unfortunately I am related to both sides. I have a niece with a college education that refuses to get a job that is "beneath" her...on the flip side her cousin will work at anything he can find. He plows when it snows, makes sandwiches at a fast food joint and cuts and splits firewood in his down time to sell. She probably "makes" what he does, but he busts his hump and (through taxes) helps support her.

I know there are many, many people that truly need help. I do not judge them at all - they have my empathy and my help.
What I am concerned about is a generation that does not feel compelled to earn there own way simply because they believe the system will bail them out.
The girl in the original post reminds me of my niece...content to keep taking a handout as long as someone is willing to give.
lynn_d
14 years ago
Salgal, I agree with you, very well said. The system was to be a hand up not a hand out, not a way of life. I'm like your cousin, I have worked in a call center, waited tables, scrubbed floors and packed home party orders when I needed a job. As long as it is legal I respect the work. It is the one that has their hand out and then says that a job is beneath them that should hang their heads in shame.

That young woman needs to lose her assistance, what a waste.
lazypup
14 years ago
When I lived in Pennsylvania they announced a new state policy that each individual could receive welfare assistance(not including food stamps) for a maximum total of 60 months (5yrs) in a lifetime.

Hmmmm, milking the system or what???

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kudzu9

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