Pro Asyl and the Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte (Society for Civil Liberties) are already conducting test cases against the payment card. The first judgments have already been handed down.
Perhaps it also makes sense in your case to take legal action against the payment card.
Why take legal action against the payment card?
As the payment card restricts freedom and self-determination, its strict implementation violates the fundamental right to live in dignity.
This fundamental right applies to all people in Germany. It does not matter where they come from, what nationality they have or what residence status they have. The basic right is enshrined in the Basic Law:
- Human dignity is inviolable (Article 1, paragraph 1).
- Germany is a welfare state and must provide for its people (Article 20, paragraph 1).
The payment card also discriminates against people and violates the right to equality (Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the Basic Law).
Here is an overview of previous procedures:
https://freiheitsrechte.org/themen/gleiche-rechte-und-soziale-teilhabe/bezahlkarte
When can you sue?
For example, you can take legal action against the payment card if:
- the €50 or €25 cash you receive is not enough because you have special needs and the social welfare office will not give you any additional cash;
- you had to give private data to the social welfare office for transfers – this may violate data protection laws;
- you had to pass on information about your lawyers for referrals – this can violate client confidentiality between you and your lawyers.
How can you complain?
If you also want to take action against the payment card, seek help from an advice center in your area. You can also write an email to the Brandenburg Refugee Council: info[at]fluechtlingsrat-brandenburg.de