185 euros per month
Hamburg starts issuing payment cards to refugees
February 15, 2024, 1:59 p.m
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There has been a long back and forth about how refugees in Germany should receive their monthly social benefits. In the end, the federal states agree on a payment card. This is already being tried out locally. Hamburg is now the first federal state in which it is being launched nationwide.
Hamburg was the first federal state to start issuing payment cards to asylum seekers. Since this Thursday, newly arriving refugees in the initial reception centers have received the prepaid card, which is entitled to benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, said a spokesman for the social authority. Each adult receives a monthly credit of 185 euros, which can be used to buy and pay for everyday items. Child benefits would also be credited to a parent’s card.
Hamburg is the first federal state to introduce the card. Pilot projects are underway at the local level in several other countries. According to the information, cash withdrawals are also possible at ATMs with the Hamburg “SocialCard” – but only up to a maximum amount of 50 euros per month plus 10 euros for each child.
“Use is possible both as a card and via a corresponding app on the smartphone in all shops and service providers that accept card payments,” said the authority. However, it is not possible to use the card abroad or in online trading. Among other things, the card is intended to prevent refugees from transferring money to smugglers or to their family or friends abroad.
The card offers advantages for both benefit recipients and the administration: “Benefit recipients no longer have to come to an authority or cash register office, which saves them travel and time. At the same time, this reduces the burden on the district paying offices.” , it said.
33 refugees per day in Hamburg
For the time being, only refugees who arrive at the initial reception and are entitled to benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act will receive the card. According to the social authorities, there are currently an average of 33 people seeking protection per day. Ukraine refugees are exempt because they are entitled to basic security. The Senate plans to gradually issue the card to other benefit recipients.
At the end of January, 14 of 16 federal states – including Hamburg – agreed on a joint procurement process to introduce a payment card for asylum seekers, which should be completed by the summer. The experiences from the Hamburg pilot project should be incorporated into the planning.
The plans to introduce the card had already met with different reactions from citizens – including within the red-green coalition. SPD parliamentary group leader Dirk Kienscherf emphasized that it would be in the interests of social benefits if the new payment system ensured that state benefits were used by the recipients themselves and not transferred abroad.
The left complains about deterrence
Green parliamentary group leader Jennifer Jasberg, however, warned against restrictions “that have a discriminatory and stigmatizing effect.” She was also critical of cash restrictions that would cause practical problems in everyday life – for example at food banks or at flea markets.
CDU parliamentary group leader Dennis Thering described the payment card as a long overdue component for the necessary control and limitation of migration. He called for further measures “so that fewer refugees come.”
According to the Left’s migration expert, Carola Ensslen, there is no scientific evidence of misuse of the money available to refugees. Nor is any administrative simplification to be expected. “This exposes the payment card as an instrument for service restrictions and controls – as a pure deterrent,” she said.