Oakland is the first city in the country offering municipal ID cards with prepaid debit card features. Launched last week, the Oakland City ID Prepaid MasterCard program makes the city the first municipality in the country to issue a city ID prepaid debit card to provide a government ID for its residents now lacking an official form of identification; and to provide optional, secure financial services and products to those who cannot otherwise secure them. All city residents able to provide proof of identity and residency in Oakland are eligible for the card.

”We are expecting about thirty thousand people to apply for the card in the first year,” said Arturo Sanchez, Deputy City Administrator for the City of Oakland.

“The card is for all residents of Oakland regardless of status – it’s not just for undocumented people,” he adds. “For some people it will be more of a symbol of Oakland pride, while other people will use it to diversify their funds or track spending.”

Features of the ID card include:

 

• Identify yourself to local authorities. Local authorities will accept and respect your ID as a valid residency card. Identify yourself to Oakland police and other local authorities.

• Shop online, over the phone and in person. Shop online and pay bills over the phone.

• Take advantage of direct deposit. Have your paycheck direct deposited into your ID card for free and avoid check cashing fees. Money is available instantly without any hold period.

• Reload your card with cash. The ID card can be loaded with cash at participating Western Union locations nationwide or via GreenDot. Fees apply.

• Withdraw cash at hundreds of ATM's nationwide. Use any ATM in your neighborhood and get your money whenever you need it.

The program starts in two offices: one at City Center and another intended to support card holder acquisition at the Spanish Speaking Citizens' Foundation located at 1470 Fruitvale Avenue.  There will be certain fees for using the card. For more information, visit www.oaklandcityid.com.