Mönchengladbach is skeptical: payment card for refugees in danger!

Mönchengladbach is skeptical: payment card for refugees in danger!

In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the payment card "SocialCard" for refugees will be introduced from January 7, 2025, but not all cities become part of this system. The city of Mönchengladbach has already announced that it does not want to participate in the payment card regulation. This decision was underpinned with various arguments: the administration of the city sees the system as immature and criticizes that important change requests have not been taken into account. In addition, the high costs for the implementation in Mönchengladbach are another hurdle.

The rollout of the social card, which is designed as a credit -based debit card, is gradually carried out within three months in various national facilities. The payment card is to be provided for refugees, which were previously issued in the form of cash. According to the state of North Rhine -Westphalia, other cities such as Aachen, Bonn, Bielefeld, Bochum, Münster, Cologne and Düsseldorf have decided not to participate in the new system, which questions the social participation of the affected refugees.

background for the introduction of the payment card

The introduction of the payment card for refugees is part of a change in the law of the Asylum Seekers Benefit Act, which was decided on March 1, 2024. The Bundestag ratified the reform on April 12, 2024, and the Federal Council gave its approval on April 26, 2024. The new law came into force on May 16, 2024 and expanded the possible uses of the payment card. This allows refugees who cannot secure their livelihood themselves to receive benefits by card.

With the socialCard, a uniform and more modern payment process is to be created. Information on the functions of the card show that it can be used in both inpatient retail and online where visas are accepted. Cash withdrawals are possible up to 50 euros per month; However, an overdraft of the card is not permitted. Those affected can see their sales through the "MysocialCard App" or an online portal, which should lead to more transparency.

Local freedom of choice and upcoming votes

In NRW, the municipalities have the opportunity not to participate in the payment card system. The city council of Mönchengladbach is expected to vote on this decision in mid -February. The city expresses concerns that the system of additional effort and administrative costs are difficult to estimate, which could further reduce compliance with social participation.

The payment card thus represents a new approach to regulate applications and withdrawals for refugee people, and offers the federal and state governments the opportunity to make the services more flexible. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how the decision of the Mönchengladbach administration is finally made, especially in view of the concerns about the practical implementation and costs.

For more information, including the specific details on the payment card and its introduction, interested parties can be the articles from Radio 901 , Land nrw and Consult