New payment card in Germany: Refugees are leaving because they can no longer get cash

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The premier conference of the German states wants to take a new path in supporting refugees. Benefits in kind should increasingly be used instead of cash. Two districts in Thuringia are playing a pioneering role: they are introducing a new type of payment system for asylum seekers.

The focus is on a payment card that, just like a prepaid card, can be loaded with credit from the relevant district. The asylum seekers’ pocket money is credited to the card, which they can then use to shop in the shops.

Can only be used in that region

This means that it is no longer possible for refugees to go underground with cash. Transfers abroad are also prohibited. The special thing about the card is that it also works without a bank account. It can also only be used in stores in that region.

In this way, the authorities want to prevent asylum seekers from using their pocket money to pay off debts to smugglers or to transfer amounts to their home country. They also want to reduce the attractiveness of Germany as an asylum country.

District administrator praises project as “great success”

The two Thuringian districts that are the first to gradually introduce the new system are Greiz and Eichsfeld. Greiz district administrator Martina Schweinsburg (CDU) praises the project as a “complete success”. Those responsible in Eichsfeld are also satisfied.

Refugee organizations have sharply criticized the change. Asylum seekers will continue to receive a partial amount in cash, so that they can continue to pay costs that can only be paid in this way. But Ellen Könneker of the Thuringian Refugee Council warns: “With the low benefit rates, those affected now have to painfully juggle where to use the card and how to meet payment requests once the cash amount is used up.”

“Will separate the wheat from the chaff”

Dagmar Pöhland, responsible for refugee care in Greiz, sees this as less problematic. “Most people accept the change and are happy that they are getting anything at all,” says Pöhland. “The payment card will separate the wheat from the chaff. Those who are really on the run don’t care about the method of payment.”

But already in December, 15 refugees said: “We don’t want a card, we want cash.” Shortly afterwards they left, as Pöhland explained to “Bild”. According to information from the newspaper, this number of departures has increased several times since the introduction of the card until mid-January.

In the Eichsfeld district, 35 asylum seekers also left the country due to the introduction of the payment card, the ‘NZZ’ reports. According to information from district administrator Werner Henning (CDU), 17 asylum seekers looked for a job after the change. (no)

Source: Blick