Income Verification Act
Latest action (5 Mar 2019): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 1495, the Income Verification Act, would require state agencies to use federal tax return information—already permitted to be disclosed to states under section 6103(l)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code—to verify applicants' and recipients' income when determining eligibility for three programs: the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill amends the Social Security Act and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to make this verification step mandatory rather than optional, with the changes taking effect 180 days after enactment.
The bill would primarily affect state agencies that administer TANF, Medicaid, and SNAP, requiring them to build or use tax-data verification into their income-eligibility determinations. It would also affect applicants and current beneficiaries of these programs, whose income information would be checked against federal tax records as part of determining eligibility and benefit amounts. For Medicaid, the requirement applies to specific categories of enrollees, including those whose eligibility is based on modified adjusted gross income and certain other specified groups.
The bill was introduced on March 5, 2019, by Rep. Ralph Abraham with several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 116th Congress. As with any introduced bill that does not pass, it would need to be reintroduced in a subsequent Congress to be considered again.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Income Verification Act
This bill directs states to use federal tax return information to verify an individual's income eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, Medicaid, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the food stamp program).
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1495 do?
- H.R. 1495, the Income Verification Act, would require state agencies to use federal tax return information—already permitted to be disclosed to states under section 6103(l)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code—to verify applicants' and recipients' income when determining eligibility for three programs: the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill amends the Social Security Act and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to make this verification step mandatory rather than optional, with the changes taking effect 180 days after enactment. The bill would primarily affect state agencies that administer TANF, Medicaid, and SNAP, requiring them to build or use tax-data verification into their income-eligibility determinations. It would also affect applicants and current beneficiaries of these programs, whose income information would be checked against federal tax records as part of determining eligibility and benefit amounts. For Medicaid, the requirement applies to specific categories of enrollees, including those whose eligibility is based on modified adjusted gross income and certain other specified groups. The bill was introduced on March 5, 2019, by Rep. Ralph Abraham with several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 116th Congress. As with any introduced bill that does not pass, it would need to be reintroduced in a subsequent Congress to be considered again.
- Has H.R. 1495 become law?
- Not yet. As of 5 Mar 2019, H.R. 1495 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1495?
- H.R. 1495 was sponsored by Rep. Ralph Abraham [R-LA5, 2015-2020] (Republican-LA), with 10 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1495?
- Introduced (5 Mar 2019).
Related bills in Social Welfare
Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act
Revising SSDI Disability Classifications Act
AACCENT Act
Protecting Elders From Government Error Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.