Capitol News

State Representative Jason Woolford, a Republican from Howell, has introduced legislation intended to improve oversight of Michigan’s public assistance programs. The proposed House Bill 5145 would require applicants for state aid to provide documentation proving their identity, income, and residency before benefits are approved.

Currently, many state assistance programs use self-attestation, allowing applicants to declare their eligibility without initial supporting documents. Supporters of reform argue that this process can lead to misuse and makes it harder to detect fraudulent claims. Critics have pointed out that errors may be found later through audits or back-end reviews; however, these measures can be expensive and inefficient.

Woolford stated, “Families across Michigan deserve to know their tax dollars are being used responsibly. This bill makes sure help gets to the people who really need it, while closing loopholes that allow fraud and waste. It’s about fairness, accountability, and protecting both taxpayers and those counting on state assistance.”

The bill aims to ensure that only eligible individuals receive public benefits by strengthening verification requirements at the outset of the application process.