William Timmons (R-SC)
Timely and Accurate Benefits Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Timely and Accurate Benefits Act," seeks to require the use of an Enhanced Income Verification Platform for certain Federal benefit programs. To remain eligible for Federal funds, States must procure and use this platform within one year of the Act's enactment. The platform is designed to use automated, real-time data matching to identify unreported or underreported income. It specifically targets "enhanced gross income," which includes a wide range of sources like wages, Social Security, and rental income. The goal is to verify eligibility and prevent improper payments.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill targets the identification of unreported income to prevent improper payments and ensure benefit eligibility.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The platform aims to improve the accuracy of financial record-keeping and prevent double-counting of data.
The opposite· 3 of 6
- Scored -5
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The requirement to analyze personal deposit account transactional data increases government oversight of individual finances.
- Scored -4
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill requires the analysis of sensitive deposit account transaction data to verify income.
- Scored -3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The increased scrutiny of diverse income sources like gifts and child support may reduce the total benefits received by these households.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Identification of improper payments: The platform uses automated, real-time data matching and analytics to proactively identify potential ineligibility or improper payments (Section 3, Definition 3A).
-
Improved data accuracy: The system is designed to consolidate overlapping data to avoid the double-counting of financial records (Section 3, Definition 3B).
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Claimant oversight: The platform provides an option for claimants to review and attest to the accuracy of the data being analyzed from their deposit account transactions (Section 3, Definition 3B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased scrutiny of diverse income sources: The definition of "enhanced gross income" is extremely broad, covering everything from wages and unemployment to gifts, contributions, and even cash assistance (Section 3, Definition 2).
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Direct access to banking data: The platform involves receiving and analyzing applicant-permissioned deposit account transactional data to verify income sources not captured by existing payroll or tax data (Section 3, Definition 3B).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The increased scrutiny of diverse income sources like gifts and child support may reduce the total benefits received by these households. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill includes SSI and disability benefits in its enhanced income verification requirements. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill monitors Social Security benefits and other income sources which could impact elderly household budgets.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill targets the identification of unreported income to prevent improper payments and ensure benefit eligibility.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill requires the analysis of sensitive deposit account transaction data to verify income.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The platform aims to improve the accuracy of financial record-keeping and prevent double-counting of data. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The requirement to analyze personal deposit account transactional data increases government oversight of individual finances.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The broad definition of enhanced gross income and increased monitoring could lead to a reduction in benefit amounts for low-income households.
- 4/29/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- 4/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/1/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/27/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tim BurchettRepublican · Tennessee
Pat FallonRepublican · Texas
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Marjorie GreeneRepublican · Georgia
Brandon GillRepublican · Texas
Elise StefanikRepublican · New York