Millions of Californians Risk Losing Inflation Relief Money as Debit Cards Expire April 30

Millions of Californians could miss out on hundreds of millions of dollars in inflation relief if they don’t act soon.

State officials say nearly one million residents never activated the debit cards issued as part of California’s pandemic-era Middle Class Tax Refund program. Those cards still hold about $400 million—and if they aren’t used by April 30, the money will be returned to the state.

The payments were originally distributed in 2022 to help Californians cope with rising costs for gas, groceries, and other essentials. While millions received direct deposits, more than 9 million people were mailed debit cards loaded with up to $1,050.

Years later, many of those cards remain unused or partially spent. Officials say about 4.5 million Californians still have money left on their cards, totaling roughly $260 million.

Some recipients say they simply forgot about the cards or didn’t need the funds at the time. Others reported issues trying to use them, including declined transactions and difficulty reaching customer support.

The state’s Franchise Tax Board says it has made multiple attempts to notify cardholders through letters and social media campaigns, urging them to activate and spend the funds before they expire.

If your card isn’t working, officials recommend contacting the card provider to reactivate it. But with the deadline quickly approaching, time is running out.

If the money isn’t used by April 30, it will be gone for good.

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