Inflation relief debit cards to be sent out to Californians starting today (March 7)
A new service to help Californians cope with the impact of high gas prices will be available beginning today.
California residents who purchase gas between now and June 30 will receive a $15-a-month debit card to be used to pay for future service.
The Department of Consumer Affairs will help consumers get the necessary information and apply for the debit card, which will be issued to every eligible home owner in the state.
To learn more about the state’s new payment system for high gas prices, call the Department of Consumer Affairs at 888-411-BELT (2337).
The service to help Californians cope with the impact of high gas prices will be available beginning today, as first reported by the Sacramento Bee newspaper.
Consumers who purchase gas between now and June 30 will receive a $15-a-month debit card to be used to pay for future service. The California Department of Consumer Affairs will help consumers get the necessary information and apply for the debit card, which will be issued to every eligible home owner in the state.
The new service will be funded by an increase in the state’s gas tax, as reported by the Sacramento Bee; the article said the move would cost $20 million, adding that the measure would cover the cost of the new debit card program.
The gas tax increase is included in the state budget that went into effect on Monday, and the budget also includes a $200 monthly “energy efficiency” fee.
The Bee reported that “the new gas tax would produce about $50 million per year”; as such, the state is aiming part of that revenue to fund the state’s new gas tax.
Since Proposition 13 capped property taxes in the state at its 1969 level, the state has been forced to use the gas tax to cover state spending, which includes education and child care.
Consumer affairs spokeswoman Kelly Gledhill said in an email that the department will continue to work with gas retailers to help consumers get the necessary information, including credit card information for future purchases
