Indiana Senator Jim Banks has introduced new legislation designed to tighten oversight of federal benefit programs by targeting fraud and improving income verification.
The proposed bill, known as the Timely Access to Benefits (TAB) Act, would require states to adopt real-time income verification systems for any federal program where eligibility or benefit amounts are based on income.
The system would rely on automated data matching and bank data authorized by applicants to detect unreported or underreported income. Supporters say the bill would help reduce improper payments and ensure that benefits go only to those who qualify.