“It has been brought to our attention college students still classified as dependents of their parents are applying for Bridge Cards yet claiming to be independent in order to receive low-income status,” the letter read.

Bridge Cards are issued by Michigan’s Department of Human Services and are funded by federal money. The cards are mainly used for food assistance, and also can be used for cash assistance programs and other benefits, said Colleen Steinman, spokesperson for the Department of Human Services.

Nursing senior and Bridge Card holder Alyssa Kessler said she pays her own expenses and lives independently from her parents, but understands why legislators might be concerned.

“I feel like I legitimately need it, but I see how college students can abuse it,” she said.

Kessler has had food assistance since January 2008. She said she changed her grocery shopping habits when she got the card.

“I was a lot tighter with my money, I would buy a lot more frozen and processed foods,” she said.

Cardholders receive different amounts of food assistance depending on their finances and how many people in a household eat and cook together. Kessler said she and her roommates get about $400 per month, or $100 per person.

“With the Bridge Card, I have a lot more money to go towards food. I eat a lot better and feel a lot better,” she said.

The food assistance money only can be used to buy food products, but lawmakers said there have been reports of students and others abusing the system to buy nonfood items including alcohol and lottery tickets.

“(They are) not only getting the Bridge Card, but then using them to buy pop and get the return money,” said state Rep. Kim Meltzer, R-Clinton Township, who signed the letter. “It’s a way to access cash.”

That action is illegal, Steinman said.

“That activity, if we can prove it, is considered fraud and we can prosecute,” she said.

The Office of the Auditor General received the audit request but has not decided whether it will investigate, Deputy Auditor General Scott Strong said.

After looking into the request, the auditor general will meet with the representatives to decide whether to conduct the audit.

“It’s the college students that are the target — they could be in serious trouble,” but those who meet the federal guidelines have no need to worry, Meltzer said.

The lawmakers also are considering legislation dealing with the programs, said state Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, who signed the audit request.

“We’re looking at all the ways of reforming the system so that those truly in need get the food and necessities of life, and those that are abusing the system get stopped,” he said.