Are There Driver Stimulus Checks in 2022? See Who's Eligible

In 2022, high gas prices have led to calls for inflation stimulus checks for drivers to provide relief at the pump. Are there driver stimulus checks in 2022? Where are drivers getting inflation relief checks?

Many states have come up with various relief programs for residents in response to the high inflation levels, which have increased the cost of almost everything. In most states, inflation checks are targeted at helping residents buy food. In some states, the programs include relief for vehicle owners at the pump.

The spiking gas prices prompted President Joe Biden to call for a gas tax holiday. However, the proposed gas tax break was met with resistance. Some people argued that a gas tax holiday wouldn't provide enough relief. Biden also felt that oil and gas companies weren't fair to Americans and argued that they were “making more money than God” by exploiting the high fuel prices.

Some members of Congress have proposed an ongoing gas rebate payment to drivers as long as gas prices remain high. Their proposal calls for a monthly payment of $100 to drivers as long as gas prices exceed $4 per gallon. If passed, the relief payment would go to drivers who earn less than $75,000.

California Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a gas relief payment for drivers in the state. The government called for a $400 check per vehicle. For those with more than one car, the payment would be capped at $800. California is among the states with the most expensive gas prices.

Instead of issuing stimulus checks targeted at drivers, leaders in California decided to offer a broader inflation relief program to residents. As a result, the state’s legislature approved a nearly $18 billion inflation relief program that includes direct payments of up to $1,050 and a fuel tax reduction. California lowered the sales tax on diesel as part of an effort to extend some relief to drivers in the state.

In North Carolina, leaders are considering issuing $200 to car owners in the state as a gas rebate. The one-time payment would cost the state about $1.3 billion and could be funded by the state’s excess budget funds, which stand at more than $4.2 billion. North Carolina’s gas rebate would go to the state’s licensed adult drivers.

In Chicago, the city is issuing up to $150 in prepaid gas cards to thousands of resident drivers. Chicago’s driver stimulus checks targets residents who earn up to $73,000.

In Michigan, thousands of drivers qualified for up to a $400 auto insurance refund in 2022. The payment was made out of the state’s budget surplus. Michigan is one of the states with the most expensive auto insurance costs.

In some states, auto insurance companies issued refunds to drivers in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. Many people continued to pay their auto insurance premiums during the pandemic lockdowns even though they weren’t driving. As a result, some insurance providers decided to return some of the money they collected from drivers.