The 2024 Budget Law, introduced with law no. 213 of 30 December 2023, includes important provisions for Italian Municipalities regarding the reimbursement of expenses incurred to inform beneficiaries of the assignment of the “Card Dedicated to You 2024”.
This benefit aims to support families in economic difficulty by providing a prepaid card for the purchase of basic necessities and other essential services.
What are the reimbursable expenses and eligibility requirements?
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Reimbursement methods for municipalities: eligible expenses and procedure to follow
Based on article 1, paragraph 2-bis of law no. 213 of 30 December 2023, it is envisaged that Municipalities will be able to obtain reimbursement of the expenses incurred for communicating to the beneficiaries of the “Card Dedicated to You 2024”.
The management of the reimbursement is entrusted to ANCI (National Association of Italian Municipalities), which sent a communication via PEC (Certified Electronic Mail) between 5 and 8 November 2024, providing specific instructions on the procedure to follow to access the funds of reimbursement.
However, it is important to underline that not all expenses related to communication are reimbursable: for example, costs related to municipal staff are not eligible, while other expenses must be directly linked to communication with beneficiaries and documented with supporting documents in case of control.
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Expenses eligible for reimbursement: what items are allowed
Expenses eligible for reimbursement are specifically those that can be directly linked to thecommunication activities towards the beneficiaries of the “Carta Dedicated to You 2024” and must be adequately documented.
Reimbursable expenses include: postage costssuch as sending registered and ordinary mail, general shipping costs and expenses for the purchase of consumables, such as paper and ink, used for official communications.
Furthermore, the reimbursable expenses also include: costs for developing or adapting softwarefor example for the automated printing of communications, and the costs relating to the updating of municipal websites, with functions dedicated to the publication of lists of beneficiaries in compliance with privacy.
Each expense must be proven by invoices or equivalent accounting documents, with the obligation to divide the costs in a proportionate manner, in the event that other purposes are present in the expense documents.
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Requirements for the Beneficiaries of the “Card Dedicated to You 2024”
The “Card Dedicated to You 2024” is intended for families residing in Italy who meet specific requirements. To access the benefit, families must be made up of at least three people and have a valid ISEE indicator (Indicator of Equivalent Economic Situation) with a maximum value of 15,000 euros.
Beneficiaries do not need to submit an application, as they are automatically identified through INPS, and will be informed directly by the Municipalities via official communications.
The contribution associated with the card, which amounts to 500 eurosis intended exclusively for the purchase of basic food items, fuel and season tickets for local public transport.
Each municipality will publish the partially redacted lists of beneficiaries on their websites, in accordance with personal data protection regulations.
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Distribution and activation of the Card: pay attention to the expiry date
The distribution of prepaid cards to beneficiaries began in September 2024, and to activate them a first payment by 16 December 2024. This deadline is crucial: failure to activate it by this date will in fact lead to the forfeiture of the contribution, making the card unusable.
Furthermore, the credited sums must be spent by and no later than February 28, 2025closing date of the measure.
The cards they can be collected at any post officeregardless of the beneficiary’s residence, and can also be collected by a legally authorized delegate, as per regulations. This allows greater flexibility for those who, for personal or health reasons, cannot go to the post office in person.
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Limitations and restrictions on card use: what you are allowed to purchase
The “Card Dedicated to You 2024” can be used exclusively for the purchase of basic food items, fuel and season tickets for local public transport. The purchase of alcoholic beverages or other non-essential products, such as medicines, is not permitted.
To facilitate the beneficiaries, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF) has stipulated agreements with the commercial businesses belonging to large-scale retail trade, guaranteeing a 15% discount on basic food products for card holders.
Furthermore, specific agreements between the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy and fuel distribution companies provide for immediate discounts on refueling or vouchers that can be used for subsequent purchases.
The list of shops and service stations that offer these discounts can be found on the official websites of MASAF and MIMIT.
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Who is not entitled to the card
Not all families are entitled to the contribution of the “Carta Dedicated to You 2024”. Those who, at the date of entry into force of the decree, already receive other forms of public economic support, such as the inclusion allowance, citizenship income, or the Purchasing Card, as well as any other local or national inclusion measure are excluded. social or fight against poverty.
Further exclusions concern households that include members receiving other benefits, such as NASPI, DIS-COLL, CIG, and other forms of income integration for involuntary unemployment or redundancy payments.
This limitation aims to ensure that the contribution is assigned to families that do not already benefit from other financial support instruments, thus avoiding overlaps and optimizing the use of public resources intended to support the most needy.
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FAQ
- Who are the beneficiaries?
The beneficiaries are members of families of at least three people, with an ISEE of less than 15,000 euros and resident in Italy. The selection is automatic, and the beneficiaries are informed by the Municipalities. - How to collect the card?
The card can be collected at any post office, even from a delegated person, provided they have a formal delegation and communication issued by the Municipality. - What is the value of the contribution?
The card is loaded with an amount of 500 euros, as established by the interministerial decree of 4 June 2024, and this amount is to be used for the purchase of basic necessities. - Where can the card be used?
The card is accepted at participating shops, which sell food, fuel or public transport passes, and where beneficiaries can access discounts thanks to the stipulated agreements. - What to do in case of loss or malfunction of the card?
In the event of theft, loss or malfunction, beneficiaries can request assistance by contacting the toll-free number 800-210170, made available by Poste Italiane.
For further information we invite you to consult the official page of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry.
