West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey probes clothing voucher misuse

Governor Patrick Morrisey announced an investigation into West Virginia's School Clothing Allowance program after data showed that roughly half of the $11.0 million distributed in fiscal year 2026 was withdrawn as cash from ATMs, making the spending untraceable. An infographic released by the governor's office indicated $5.45 million in ATM withdrawals, $5.06 million spent at point‑of‑sale locations and $0.5 million used for online purchases. Morrisey warned that the cash could be spent on items such as beer and cigarettes rather than clothing for the more than 50,000 children who rely on the vouchers.

State Senator Brian Helton, who chairs the House Health and Human Resources Committee, and Senator Mike Oliverio both called for greater oversight and legislative action to ensure the funds are used for their intended purpose. The investigation targets the program administered through the Department of Human Services and TANF, seeking to improve accountability and prevent misuse of public assistance benefits.