What if Real ID cards are: too expensive?

Let's imagine a world in which real ID cards are required for the majority of the poplulation, in order to have any dealings with the government. And for the moment let's assume that states refuse to lose money on them. Real ID cards will cost about $150 to get or to renew.

A lot of people will simply not be able to afford Real ID cards, and yet must have dealings eith the federal government. The cards could be a hardship for every member of large families below the poverty level. (Everyone who gets social security benefits may have to have a Real ID card.) Who will pay for their Real ID cards?

It would be quite an irony if states are allowed to charge such costs back to the federal government, which has, for now, made Real ID an unfunded mandate.