In April 2024, the Bundestag decided to gradually introduce the payment card throughout Germany. The federal government and 14 federal states then jointly decided to use this card.
But what exactly is the payment card and how does it work?
What is the payment card?
Refugees are to receive their monthly benefits on a payment card. The card itself works like a prepaid card. Benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, which were previously paid out in cash or by transfer to a basic account, are now transferred to the payment card on a monthly basis. Compared to a normal EC or Visa card, the payment card has many restrictions.
The payment card was first introduced in the Brandenburg region in the district of Märkisch-Oderland (MOL) in May 2024. The main contract for implementation was awarded to the service provider “Secupay”. In MOL, “Paycenter” is the provider.
You can find more information about the payment card here:
https://msgiv.brandenburg.de/msgiv/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/detail/~24-10-2024-bezahlkarte-bei-asylleistungen
How can I pay with the payment card?
Only certain purchases can be made with the card. It only works where card payments are accepted. In many places, however, you can only pay with cash, for example on the bus, at food banks, weekly markets and school trips.
Can cash be withdrawn with the payment card?
Yes, but only to a limited extent: Adults are allowed to withdraw 50 euros and children 25 euros per month (in MOL it is also 50 euros for children). This small amount makes everyday things that require cash more difficult.
The benefit authorities must check individually whether additional needs exist so that a higher cash amount can be paid out. Additional needs may arise in the case of pregnancy (e.g. for food, clothing or medical appointments), single parents, illness and disability (e.g. special dietary costs, medication, aids), special dietary requirements (e.g. diabetes or coeliac disease), etc.
The social welfare offices should actually check these additional requirements themselves. It is therefore worth pointing this out to them again or submitting an application yourself. Advice centers can help with this.
How do transfers with the payment card work?
For transfers and payments in general, Brandenburg has both a prohibited and a permitted list. Money transfers to gambling companies and abroad are generally prohibited and technically prohibited. Payments to public transport, lawyers, authorities and others are permitted. This means that not every single payment has to be approved by the social welfare office if it falls into these categories. The municipalities are gradually filling the authorization list with IBANS that belong to the permitted categories.
All transfers to recipients whose IBAN has either not yet been recorded or who do not fall into the permitted categories must therefore be checked and approved individually by the social welfare office.
Why are people protesting against the payment card?
The payment card is unfair and violates fundamental rights. It is discriminatory because it severely restricts people’s freedom and self-determination!
You can find more information and arguments against the payment card here [Link folgt]. If you would like to organize against the card with others, you can find forms of action and exchange locations here.
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