(Radio Iowa) – A new computer system would periodically check if Iowans are eligible for food stamp benefits if a bill that’s cleared a senate subcommittee becomes law. Republican Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig proposes that the Iowa Department of Human Services buy the system or pay a private company to verify eligibility for food stamps by July 1st of 2022.

Janee Harvey of the Iowa Department of Human Services says Equifax has offered the agency a FREE, one-year trial of its system.

In addition, Harvey says the bill would spend state money on a system the federal government will be providing all states, at no charge, in late 2022. Senator Schultz says he expects to draft changes in the bill before it’s considered by the Senate Commerce Committee.