Leroy Fick became a millionaire, winning $2 million on Michigan lottery show "Make Me Rich!” -- but he's still using Food Stamps and says he doesn't feel bad about it.
Leroy Fick -- now a millionaire after a lottery win -- admits he still swipes an electronic card to use government-funded Food Stamps at grocery stores.
The lottery winner says the Department of Human Services in Michigan told Fick he could continue to use the Food Stamps card -- meaning tax dollars are being used to pay for the millionaire's food. It seems the Department of Human Services apparently did say the jackpot-winner can continue to legally use the Bridge Card.
The Food Stamp use follows a Michigan jackpot win on “Make Me Rich!” The lottery winner says more than half of his grand prize win went toward taxes.That still leaves about one million to pay for food -- yet the millionaire's still using what is known as a "Bridge Card" to subsidize his technical lack of income.
Fick's attorney says his client's got the legal right to Food Stamps, stating Fick "specifically called the Department of Human Services [Michigan] and said, 'Can I still use the [welfare] Bridge Card?' and they said, 'Yes,' because he is eligible," says attorney Wilson. "He's done everything right in the eyes of the law."
The federal guidelines used by the state of Michigan in determining eligibility for food stamps is based on income -- and income alone. Because Fick is technically unemployed and also lives on Social Security disability benefits, the lack of income qualifies him for the Michigan "Bridge Card".
As it turns out, the $850,000 lottery payment that was taken as a lump sum is considered an asset. It doesn't fall under the income category -- meaning Fick can legally get food stamps regardless of all that cash in the bank. More interesting, Fick can continue to use taxpayers' money for Food Stamps not just this year, but into the future.
Fick's attorney says his client, Leroy Fick, feels he's "paid into the system" through taxes on last year's lottery win -- despite the fact that everyone else continually pays "into the system". In the meantime, the lottery millionaire's been seen driving a new Audi convertible.
Leroy Fick reportedly told television news station WNEM: “If you’re going to … try to make me feel bad, you aren’t going to do it.” Perhaps the state of Michigan -- or its taxpayers -- are interested in helping Fick "feel bad".