LAWMAKERS SEEK WELFARE CLARIFICATIONS

Two local lawmakers want the state to review Michigan's Bridge Card assistance payments programs after receiving numerous inquiries from constituents on eligibility requirements and qualifying purchases.

Reps. Wayne Schmidt and Kevin Elsenheimer initiated a request for the Michigan Auditor General to check the dependency status of college students who receive benefits from the Department of Human Services, as well as if using the state's assistance dollars to purchase lottery tickets should be acceptable.

"Michigan taxpayers deserve that the hard-earned dollars they send to the government are used to help people meet legitimate needs, not people who have figured a way to game the system," said Schmidt, R-Traverse City. "We've gotten calls from constituents and seen news reports that college students are using crucial welfare dollars to supplement their beer funds and other instances where the Bridge Card money is used to buy lottery tickets.

"With many families scrimping and cutting back to make ends meet, the use of public funds for entertainment and gambling is a tough pill to swallow."

In addition to the Bridge Card program eligibility of college students and its use to buy lottery tickets, the letter also asks the auditor general about the possibility of sending housing assistance payments directly to landlords from DHS programs.

Lawmakers routinely receive calls from property owners not being paid rent despite tenants getting money for that purpose, who then have to take DHS clients to court to collect arrearages or for eviction procedures.

"The economic reality challenging Michigan is leading to a complete restructuring of how government must operate and programs with misuse or abuse of taxpayer funds are the first holes we must plug to get the job done," said Elsenheimer, R-Kewadin. "DHS and Michigan leaders have made strides fighting against the stereotypes of welfare cheats and abusers but if more flaws or cracks are found in the system it's up to us to close them.

"We're looking forward to having actual data on these issues from the general auditor so we will have a better understanding of these programs and any way we might be able to improve them."