The planned payment card for asylum seekers caused a ruckus in the traffic lights: the Greens did not want to agree to a nationwide regulation. Now, according to information from the ARD capital studios an agreement on a federal regulation.
The dispute over a federal regulation for a payment card for asylum seekers has been resolved: the traffic light government has agreed on a regulation according to which asylum seekers can in future also receive a payment card instead of money.
According to information from ARD capital studios A draft of a cabinet decision was sent to the ministries. The so-called formulation aid from the Federal Ministry of Labor is to be decided by the cabinet on Friday in a written circulation procedure.
States are responsible for the design
The dem ARD capital studio This proposed law provides for an amendment to the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, with which a payment card is expressly mentioned as an option for providing benefits. “Regardless of the type of accommodation, service provision is also possible in the form of a payment card,” it says.
However, cash benefits are not excluded: “If benefits in kind for necessary personal needs are not possible with reasonable administrative effort, benefits can also be granted in the form of payment cards, vouchers, other comparable non-cash settlements or cash benefits.”
According to the cabinet proposal, all adults entitled to benefits should have their own payment card. The federal states should regulate independently whether cash can be withdrawn from the card and, if so, how much. Among other things, the payment card is intended to prevent asylum seekers from transferring money that is actually intended for essential purchases to smugglers or families abroad.
Concerns among the Greens
The Greens had previously blocked any federal regulation. They pointed out that the federal states could introduce the payment card on the current legal basis. The Federal Ministry of Economics, led by the Greens, now said: “The payment card makes sense to prevent money from being transferred abroad. Accordingly, the wording aid for the introduction of a nationwide uniform legal basis for the payment card is approved.”
Another point of contention was the question of how to deal with asylum seekers who receive benefits equivalent to citizen’s allowance after 18 or, in the future, 36 months of residence. This should now be clarified in the parliamentary process, as should the treatment of employees and students or trainees.