LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan has found 3,500 lottery winners who either got welfare or lived with welfare recipients.
The state Department of Human Services came up with the list as required under a 2012 state law. About 14 percent of lottery winners are either welfare recipients or live in a household with recipients.
The lottery winners flagged in Monday's report won at least $1,000. The state found welfare recipients on average won $6,800.
Human Services Director Maura Corrigan says some lottery winners are no longer getting public assistance because of the law signed a year ago. But she says "loopholes" still let lottery winners collect some Medicaid benefits.
The law requires asset tests to determine eligibility for public assistance. Lawmakers passed it after a Bay County man used food stamps despite winning $850,000.
