More than one million families in Italy will receive €500 from November 4 through the Carta dedicata a te food-support scheme, Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida said in an interview with RTL 102.5.
The measure supports families that do not receive other forms of assistance. It was introduced by the government in its first budget law, with more than €2.7 billion allocated to the programme. The funds can be used to buy essential goods, including fresh and highly perishable food, dairy products and other items from national supply chains.
Beneficiaries are selected according to household income and composition through cooperation between Italy’s National Social Security Institute, INPS, and municipalities. Lollobrigida also said retailers had secured a 15% discount on purchases made with the card.
Existing cardholders who continue to meet the requirements will receive an automatic €500 credit on November 4 and a second €500 payment in April. According to the minister, this brings total support to €1,000 over six months for beneficiary families.
People accessing the scheme for the first time will receive a notification and must collect the card at a post office. They will then need to activate it by making an initial purchase by mid-December.
Sources: ANSA Economia.