It may seem simple to give away billions of dollars for free, but the state government faced a series of obstacles when distributing inflation relief payments to millions of Californians last fall. Unfortunately, even after the program has ended, it has been discovered that millions of dollars remain unclaimed from tax refund and still belong to Californians.
The ongoing saga of the Middle Class Tax Refund continues to unfold. The state government began issuing payments of up to $350 per person last fall, with many recipients receiving their payments via a debit card from a New York bank. However, some were hesitant to accept the card, either believing it to be junk mail or distrusting the bank. To make matters worse, hackers began siphoning money from the cards, leaving thousands of Californians without the funds they were promised.
California Middle Class Tax Refund
It’s understandable that many Californians were skeptical upon receiving a debit card from a bank in New York for the California Middle Class Tax Refund. However, it’s important to note that these cards were legitimate and intended to deliver the promised relief payments. Despite the challenges faced during distribution, there are still funds available for those who never received their payments.
Approximately 1.5 million Californians recently received a letter from the state, notifying them that they have yet to utilize their inflation relief debit cards. According to information from the Franchise Tax Board, 9.6 million debit cards were distributed, but 15% of them remain unactivated. This indicates that an estimated $750 million is still unclaimed by eligible individuals. These cards are set to expire in 2026, after which the unclaimed funds will revert to the state.
Since last October, Money Network has handled over 22 million phone calls, addressing issues such as lost cards, stolen cards, fraud, and more. If you received a letter stating that your card was never activated and you don’t possess it, here’s how to claim your funds: Reach out to Money Network at 1-800-240-0223 and make sure to follow the prompts for “lost card” (not customer service). If you have the card, simply call the same number and adhere to the prompts for activation. We have successfully assisted several viewers in claiming their refunds. If you encounter any difficulties, please don’t hesitate to let us know – we’re here to help.