California drivers to get gas rebates after $50 million settlement. Here’s when
Gas rebates are starting to be sent out to Californians.
After a price gouging settlement between the state and three gas trading firms, drivers in 10 California counties, including San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties, became eligible to claim gas rebates.
Payments began being distributed to California claimants in late April, according to the settlement administrator.
Here’s what you need to know:
Why are Californians getting gas rebate payments?
In 2020, the California Department of Justice sued Vitol Inc.; SK Energy Americas Inc., and its parent company, SK Trading International, alleging that the companies worked together in secret to manipulate prices after an explosion at a Torrance gasoline refinery in 2015.
The companies engaged “in a scheme to drive up gas prices for their own profit” that limited competition and caused Californians to pay more at the pump, according to the state Attorney General’s Office.
In July 2024, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the state had reached a $50 million settlement with the companies.
Of that, $37.5 million is being distributed as gas rebates to impacted consumers in California.
The other $12.5 million is allocated to a penalty fund that pays for the enforcement of consumer protection laws in the state.
People who purchased fuel in select parts of the state were eligible to get money back, Bonta said in October.
Who’s eligible to get gas rebates?
Anyone who filled up their tank in parts of Central or Southern California between Feb. 20, 2015, and Nov. 10, 2015, was able to submit a claim.
If you bought gas in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo or Imperial counties during this time period, you were eligible for a gas rebate.
Is it too late to sign up for rebate?
Yes. Californians had to submit claims prior to the Jan. 8 deadline to receive the rebate, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
How much money will California drivers get?
Some Californians reported receiving rebate payments of about $21, while others said they got $75 per vehicle.
However, it was unclear as of Thursday, May 8, how much money most California claimants will receive.
Settlement administrators did not respond to The Tribune’s request for information regarding the settlement amount.
According to the settlement website, the amount of payment people receive will depend on how many valid claims are submitted.
When will gas rebate be distributed?
Gas rebates started to be dispersed to California drivers on April 29, settlement administrators said.
The compensation process could take several weeks to complete, according to its website.
Payments will be distributed to eligible claimants via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or a paper check, depending on the person’s listed preference.
Claimants have 180 days to cash paper checks, according to the settlement website.
If you have not received your settlement payment by May 28, you should contact the California v. Vitol Settlement Administrator at 877-725-7523 or peoplesinfo@calgaslitigation.com.
This story was originally published May 9, 2025 at 9:49 AM with the headline "California drivers to get gas rebates after $50 million settlement. Here’s when."
