Law keeps dead people from getting welfare

LANSING (AP) -- Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed into law requirements that the state check to make sure welfare recipients haven't died or gone to prison. The state Department of Human Services already has policies in place to deactivate the Bridge Cards of prisoners and people found in the U.S. Social Security Death Index. Legislation signed Wednesday codifies the practices in Michigan law. Snyder and the bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Tim Kelly of Saginaw, say preventing welfare fraud makes "common sense." Under the law, the state is required to do monthly checks for dead people and inmates with Bridge Cards, debit cards holding cash assistance. ------------ Online: Public Act 41 of 2013: http://1.usa.gov/14yQYJA. Published: Fri, Jun 7, 2013