By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-992009.mp3
LANSING, MI –
Governor Rick Snyder says the state Department of Human Services is reviewing whether cars and trucks should be counted as part of an assets test for families on food assistance. More from Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta.
Critics quickly took aim at the policy, saying people should not have to get rid of their vehicles to qualify for food assistance in a state with the nation's third-highest jobless rate.
Governor Snyder says there were enough complaints to warrant a second look at the rule.
"That's a valid concern that they should be looking at and addressing and they are making a review of that topic," he says.
Judy Putnam of the Michigan League for Human Services says most states do not require an assets test for food assistance.
"We don't think there should be an asset test at all," she says.
And, of those that do, she says, only two include family cars and trucks.
"Revisiting the vehicle inclusion in the asset limit is a great idea," she adds.
There's no word on how long the Department of Human Services review will take. About 34 thousand people lost benefits when the new rule was enacted a month ago.