Future of integration: Rhineland-Palatinate introduces payment card for refugees!

Future of integration: Rhineland-Palatinate introduces payment card for refugees!

in Rhineland-Palatinate, support for refugees is revolutionized by introducing a payment card. This card enables the asylum seekers to pay in the shop and to withdraw up to 130 euros in cash. According to SWR this amount is above what is intended in most other federal states.

Integration Minister Anne Spiegel (Greens) sees the amount as a flexible guideline, which can be adjusted depending on the living and living conditions of the refugees. In June 2023, the heads of government of the federal states decided to grant a cash amount of 50 euros. But Rhineland-Palatinate, Bremen and Thuringia did not consider this to be sufficient, which led to the current regulation.

Introduction of the payment card

The payment card will be officially introduced in the initial reception facility Trier on Monday. In this pilot phase, asylum seekers receive the card directly when registering. If the model is successful, an extension to another five recording facilities is planned. Already two municipalities, the Rhein-Palatinate district and the city of Pirmasens, have implemented the payment card independently.

Criticism of the payment card comes from Lisa Diener from the city day, which emphasizes that the information about the use of the card is too vague and that uniform handling is imperative. In addition, the district council expressed concerns about the high cash amount of 130 euros and demands a return to 50 euros.

legal framework and objective

The legal basis for the payment card was created by a change in the law of the Asylum Seekers Benefit Act, which was decided on March 1, 2024. The Bundestag passed the law on April 12, 2024, and the Federal Council agreed on April 26, 2024. It came into force on May 16, 2024. The payment card allows refugees to receive services regardless of their accommodation. In contrast to the previous regulation, which primarily provided benefits in benefits in community accommodation, the new regulation opens up more flexibility for countries and municipalities, such as the Federal Government reports.

A central goal of the payment card is to reduce incentives for irregular migration and to avoid money transfers to home country. Proponents hope for less administrative expenses for cities and municipalities due to the regulation. However, critics question whether the payment card actually leads to a reduction in migration effects.

social dimensions

The public discourse on social benefits for asylum seekers is also shaped by politicians such as Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann, who are calling for cuts in social benefits. Rumors circulate on social media that asylum seekers receive more money than German citizens. However, it is ignored that single parent asylum seekers are entitled to 410 euros per month, which is far below the 502 euros for citizen pawns and the corresponding amounts for children.

In anchor centers, the large facilities for accelerating asylum procedures, asylum seekers receive primary benefits. This leads to lower monthly payments between 117 and 182 euros. These circumstances, combined with the restricted health care during the first 18 months, illustrate the challenge of refugee people in Germany.

The introduction of the payment card in Rhineland-Palatinate is a step towards more flexibility and support, but remains controversial. It is part of a greater topic that will continue to play a central role in the public discussion about social justice and integration of refugees in Germany.