Californians flood ABC7 for last-minute help before inflation relief debit cards expire April 30

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- 7 On Your Side reported how millions of Californians still have money sitting on pandemic-era inflation relief debit cards and that those cards expire next week. Since our report, 7 On Your Side has been flooded with viewers scrambling to cash in.

The clock is ticking, and viewers tell us they're hitting roadblock after roadblock trying to access their money. 7 On Your Side is stepping in, helping dozens of viewers try to get their cash before the April 30 deadline.

MORE: CA inflation relief cards expire April 30. Here's how to fix problems, see if you have money coming

"I just stumbled on it and I said oh shoot it's going to expire," said David Kennedy of Daly City.

Kennedy found his inflation relief debit card stashed in a drawer -- still loaded with $350 dollars.

Jennifer Gee of Concord never used her debit card either -- it was still loaded with $500.

"I just put it aside and kind of forgot about it," she told us.

They're not alone.

More than five million Californians still have money left on their Middle Class Tax Refund debit cards.

The state sent them out during the pandemic, and four years later, roughly $600 million dollars is still unused.

If cardholders don't cash in by April 30, the money goes right back to the state.

"You're saying, 'Wait a minute, what happened here?'" said Robert Bailey of San Francisco.

PREVIOUS: Millions of Californians still have money on inflation relief debit cards -- they expire April 30

After our report, 7 On Your Side was inundated with emails from viewers who say they can't get their money.

Ila in Antioch writes: "My balance is $700 but my card keeps getting declined."

Matthew in Richmond writes: "I accidentally threw my card away. Can I get it back?"

Anthony in Livermore says: "My card never worked."

The state's Franchise Tax Board, which oversees the Middle Class Tax Refund, says cardholders should contact the debit card company, Money Network.

But viewers say its automated phone system doesn't help.

"You see the money slipping away, you see the time slipping away," said Robert Bailey.

Bailey has $279 left on his debit card. He says it stopped working years ago -- now he can't remember the PIN.

So he and his wife tried calling Money Network.

The problem? You need a PIN to reset a PIN... and he didn't have one.

So, 7 On Your Side suggests a workaround.

When calling Money Network, select Option 3 for assistance with a "replacement, lost or stolen card." You will be transferred to an operator.

Meanwhile across the Bay, Zondra Martin of Oakland was still holding onto her debit card. It's loaded with $500 that she can't get out.

"I went to the ATM and it was rejected," Martin said. "I went to the bank. The teller tried her best to access the funds and she could not do it."

"I had given up until I saw your story," she said.

7 On Your Side tried to get answers.

At first Martin couldn't remember her PIN either. So she tried several combinations... then one went through.

An automated voice said, "Thank you... your account balance is $500."

The money is there! So why couldn't Martin get it?

Martin went through the entire menu, and waited for the very last option which says: "If your card does not work, press zero."

Which Martin did... then, the recorded phone menu said: "Please hold while your call is transferred to a customer service representative."

Martin was being connected to a live agent.

Or was she?

"Thank you for calling. We are currently closed," Martin heard the recording say.

The program was designed to help low- and middle-class Californians earning up to $250,000 per year in 2020, paying up to $350 per person.

There were problems from the start: many folks tossed them, thinking they were junk mail or a scam.

Others discovered hackers had drained the cards before they got them.

"It appears fraudsters can drain these accounts without having the cards in their possession," said former Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R - Fresno).

Many complained that the automated help line didn't help.

The state paid Money Network $25 million to distribute $5.2 billion to Californians via debit cards.

The company declined to comment on its handling of the debit card program.

The state's Franchise Tax Board said: "We are not aware of any major issues with Money Network customer service. Customers can access their accounts through Money Network's phone line and receive answers and, if necessary, live agent support."

As for Zondra Martin? She didn't give up. Instead of trying to reach an operator, she pressed option eight, to receive a check in the mail for her refund.

And days later, it arrived.

"There's a lot I can do with $500... groceries, gas, a little dessert treat," Martin said.

"And it was 7 On Your Side! So I'm ecstatic. I, and my spirits, are soaring right now," she said.

And Robert Bailey got a new PIN, finally unlocking his card.

"I'm gonna try it today," he told us.

So 7 On Your Side went with him to the grocery store. He loaded a basket, and asked the cashier: will this work here?

She says "Yes."

Bailey swipes the card... and hears a beep. The machine says, "transaction approved."

"Thanks to 7 On Your Side... I hope this helps other people," Bailey said.

More than 140 viewers sent emails to 7 On Your Side asking for help to unlock their funds. We sent their cases to Money Network which promised to address each one of them -- but so far, no one reported hearing from the company. However, with help from the 7 On Your Side team, many viewers tell us they were able to get their money. Robert Bailey and Zondra Martin were just two who cashed in with our team's help.

See our coverage for how to cash in. And act quickly, the cards expire April 30 -- and the Franchise Tax Board says, there will be no grace period extending that deadline.

Take a look at more stories and videos by 7 On Your Side.

7OYS's consumer hotline is a free consumer mediation service for those in the San Francisco Bay Area. We assist individuals with consumer-related issues; we cannot assist on cases between businesses, or cases involving family law, criminal matters, landlord/tenant disputes, labor issues, or medical issues. Please review our FAQ here. As a part of our process in assisting you, it is necessary that we contact the company / agency you are writing about. If you do not wish us to contact them, please let us know right away, as it will affect our ability to work on your case. If we are able to assist, we will reach back out to you.