![]() The limit would not count the value of a home, the household's first car and up to $10,000 of the value of a second household car.ĭemocrats said the bill's asset test would discourage people from saving for college or a home or to guard against unexpected emergency costs. "That’s a critical piece of this bill in which young moms, young dads will have the opportunity to receive the benefits that are due to them from child support," Fry said.Īny Iowa households with liquid assets of more than $15,000 would not be allowed to receive SNAP benefits. The bill would require Medicaid recipients in Iowa to cooperate with child support services as a condition of receiving benefits through the program. The wide-ranging bill would require state agencies that deliver benefits, such as the Department of Health and Human Services and Iowa Workforce Development, to check new sources of information to determine if Iowans are eligible.īefore Iowans could be enrolled in benefit programs, they would need to verify their identity through a questionnaire that could be completed online, in person or by phone, but could not be done through a paper application. House Republicans passed the bill without a provision they proposed in a previous bill to ban Iowans from using public assistance funds to buy candy and sugary soda. "Quite simply, this bill takes food - nutrition - away from poor children, disabled people, the elderly, the most vulnerable members of our society, with absolutely no economic benefit to Iowa taxpayers," said Rep. More than 200 faith leaders across Iowa signed a letter to Reynolds and legislative leaders saying they oppose the bill "on moral, religious and humanitarian grounds." ![]() "It protects the program for those who need it most, and I would suggest to you that we are creating a safety net that is sustainable for the long term."ĭemocrats and a coalition of nonprofits and anti-hunger advocates have argued against the bill, pointing out that fraud is low, deserving families could lose benefits and food assistance like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is entirely federally funded. Joel Fry, R-Osceola, the bill's floor manager. "If you’re eligible for the benefit, you will receive the benefit," said Rep. The bill culminates years of efforts from Iowa Republicans to place new requirements and identity verification on those receiving public assistance benefits, which supporters say will save taxpayer dollars and ensure benefits are going to those who need them. The Senate passed the bill in March, so the House vote sends it to Gov. ![]() Five Republicans joined Democrats in voting no after nearly four hours of debate. The Iowa House voted 58-41 Thursday evening to pass Senate File 494, with only Republicans voting in favor. Iowa lawmakers have approved a bill to require new asset tests for people receiving food assistance benefits, and regular eligibility checks on all public assistance recipients to make sure they qualify. ![]()
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