( CNN ) -- A Michigan woman who won a million-dollar lottery but continued to receive welfare benefits is now charged with fraud , the attorney general said Tuesday . Amanda Clayton , 25 , collected thousands of dollars in state assistance for months after she won $ 1 million in the 'Make Me Rich '' game sponsored by the Michigan lottery , a statement from state officials said . `` It 's simply common sense that million-dollar lottery winners forfeit their right to public assistance , '' said Attorney General Bill Schuette . Mega Millions mystery winner about to emerge . Clayton , a Lincoln Park resident , faces two felony counts of welfare fraud after being investigated by the Department of Human Services and the Office of Inspector General . The inquiry revealed that not only did Clayton fail to report her lottery winnings and other employment earnings , as state law requires , she also `` allegedly collected approximately $ 5,475 in food and medical benefits '' she would have been ineligible for . According to Michigan law , welfare recipients must report any changes in assets or income to the agency within 10 days . `` I thought that they would cut me off , but since they did n't , I thought , maybe it was OK because I 'm not working , '' Clayton , 24 , told CNN affiliate WDIV when it asked whether it was appropriate for her to receive the money . Clayton bought a new house and car after winning the lottery in October 2011 . According to state officials , she received public assistance from August 2010 through March 2012 . After taking a lump sum and paying taxes , Clayton said she ended up with just more than $ 500,000 . Asked if she had the right to the public assistance money , Clayton answered , `` I kind of do . I have no income , and I have bills to pay . I have two houses . '' New legislation -- which includes Senate Bill 711 and 712 , and House Bill 5033 -- will block lottery winners from receiving government benefits . Gov . Rick Snyder signed all the bills last Wednesday . `` That commitment to investigation and uncovering the truth , combined with the new law recently enacted by the legislature and signed by the governor , will make it easier to ensure that outrages involving instant millionaires on public assistance do n't happen in the future , '' said Maura Corrigan , director of the state 's Department of Human Services .
A Michigan woman who took state benefits after a lottery win faces criminal charges . Amanda Clayton , 25 , faces felony counts of welfare fraud . New legislation signed last week blocks lottery winners from receiving state assistance . `` I thought , maybe it was OK because I 'm not working , '' Clayton said .