Timely and Accurate Benefits Act

Income verification changes for benefit households

If enacted, this bill would require each State to buy and use an Enhanced Income Verification Platform within one year after enactment to keep Federal funds for covered income-tested benefit programs. The bill would define covered programs and a broad "enhanced gross income" that includes wages, gig and self-employment pay, unemployment, Social Security and SSI, interest and dividends, rent and royalties, child support and alimony received, cash gifts, trust distributions, and other available income. The platform would use automated, real-time data matching and analytics and would be allowed to receive applicant-permissioned bank transaction data, with an option for claimants to review and attest. The changes would speed and automate income checks but would also make it more likely that previously uncounted income is detected, which would lower benefits for some households and raise implementation costs for States. The bill's definitions would take effect upon enactment.