Bill would send NC lottery winner info to food stamp office

Charlotte Observer reports:

Legislation directing the North Carolina lottery to disclose winners of substantial cash prizes to state social services officials as an anti-fraud initiative for food stamps received initial House approval Wednesday.

The chamber voted 75-38 largely along party lines for the bill, which a chief sponsor said would seek to ensure the federal benefits are going to the needy.

The North Carolina Education Lottery would provide names and jackpot amounts of those people winning at least $2,250 to the Division of Social Services, which would then crosscheck the information against food stamp applicants and recipients. The dollar amount is linked to requirements to obtain such federal food benefits.

Great moments of the Welfare State.