New law makes it easier to catch criminals, prevent them from receiving welfare benefits
Criminals with outstanding felony warrants will not be able to collect welfare benefits thanks to legislation signed by Gov. Rick Snyder today, according to a news release.
It is already illegal for anyone with a felony warrant to collect welfare benefits, but the state does not currently have a good system in place to ensure it does not happen. This change will also make it easier for police to track down and apprehend those with felony warrants who try to collect welfare benefits, the release said.
House Bill 4721 and Senate Bill 522, sponsored by state Rep. Jon Bumstead and state Sen. Bruce Caswell, require the state to develop an automated system that will facilitate information sharing between the Department of Human Services and the Michigan State Police. The department will then be able to cross-check the names of people receiving public assistance against a database of outstanding felony warrants in order to make sure only those who are eligible are able to receive public assistance.
Comments
2020
Wed, Oct 19, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.
How about the illegal immigrants next?
John Sheets
Wed, Oct 19, 2011 : 3:37 p.m.
@ William Foxboro - You think it's a good idea to keep children in the custody of outstanding felons who are cheating the system??? Look - steps need to be taken. Let's just make sure that after the kids are taken away from one set of deadbeats, they aren't placed with another by reforming the Foster Care system as well.
Bob Bethune
Wed, Oct 19, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
The obvious question is, what will be the impact on the children of felons? "Welfare" includes ADC, doesn't it? I have no sympathy for felons, but we have no reason to take it out on their children. The children didn't choose their parents and presumably weren't accessories to the felonies.
Billy Buchanan
Wed, Oct 19, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
The sad part is that the felon's normally use the welfare funds the children should be getting to buy themselves drugs and other illegal substances.
jcj
Wed, Oct 19, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.
At least this is a start towards reigning in this part of fraud in the welfare system.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Oct 19, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
2 thumbs up!
lynel
Tue, Oct 18, 2011 : 11:18 p.m.
This seems like a no-brainer.