Cards will be disbursed as part of the new ‘You Call the Shot California’ program aimed at encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations
The State of California has launched its “You Call the Shot California” program, which encourages residents to begin and complete the COVID-19 vaccination process before the state plans to fully reopen on June 15. The first 2 million eligible Californians to start and finish the vaccination process will be given a choice of a $50 digital incentive disbursed by global payments provider and incentives leader Blackhawk Network.
The $100M program is one of the first of its kind in the US. Leveraging incentives provides recipients with popular rewards they will receive soon after earning—while helping drive flexible spending that contributes to the state’s economy.
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“We recently conducted research that found monetary incentives—even modest ones—could be an effective option for encouraging vaccine adoption. Our data also showed that monetary incentives could inspire half of respondents to encourage their family members to get vaccinated,” said Talbott Roche, CEO and president of Blackhawk Network, a global payments provider. “The cwe are providing to the State of California give Californians choice in incentives, more than one way to redeem and are available quickly.”
Prepaid and gift cards have been critical in helping government agencies and nonprofits distribute relief during the pandemic and other emergency scenarios. In the last 12 months alone, Blackhawk’s US disaster disbursements have grown by an astounding 90% as demand for relief has skyrocketed.
Once Californians have completed the COVID vaccination process and the state confirms completion, it will deliver a redemption code for the incentive card via email or text message. Recipients generally will receive their incentive card within 48 hours of redeeming the code. Incentive card options include the choice of a $50 digital gift card for Albertsons (which includes Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, Andronico’s Community Markets and Pavilions), Kroger (which includes Ralphs, Food 4 Less and Foods Co.), or a Virtual Prepaid Card. The Virtual Prepaid Card can be spent online or if added to a mobile wallet, used to shop in stores that accept mobile wallets and major debit cards.
Blackhawk Network is one of the top issuers of physical and digital gift and prepaid cards. Its suite of options can be customized and used to distribute aid, disbursements and incentives rapidly and more efficiently than other payment methods like checks. No bank account is required, benefitting unbanked and underbanked communities.
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