faq
The federal and state governments have agreed to introduce a payment card for asylum seekers. The Thuringian district of Greiz wants to introduce it on a trial basis this year. How is that supposed to work?
After long discussions, the federal and state governments have agreed on the introduction of a payment card for asylum seekers. Instead of cash, migrants should receive a card with credit for purchases. The reason: Refugees should not be able to send the money that is intended for living expenses here to their home countries.
The Thuringian district of Greiz is now rushing ahead and introducing such a card on December 1st. How the model works – questions and answers.
What is the payment card for asylum seekers?
The payment card is a prepaid credit card from the payment service provider Mastercard. It can be used in retail and at ATMs where Mastercard card payments are accepted. Thanks to the prepaid function, the card can be individually loaded or unloaded by the district administration.
The card is issued separately to each asylum seeker who is entitled to benefits. The Greiz model stipulates that 100 euros is paid out in cash and the rest is credited to the payment card. Asylum seekers must appear in person at the district office – as before.
What does the payment card look like?
The card number, the expiry date of the card, the first and last name of the asylum seeker and the asylum seeker’s central immigration register number (AZR number) are printed on the payment card.
What are the special features of the payment card?
According to the Greiz model, the payment card can only be used in the zip code area 07. These are the regions of Greiz, Gera, Saalfeld and Jena. According to CDU district administrator Martina Schweinsburg, the balance cannot be overdrawn or paid out in cash. If asylum seekers return purchased products, they will receive a credit for the purchase price.
The district says it can set a credit limit. If the limit is reached, no additional credit can be added to the card.
Who gets the payment card?
The district wants to issue the first cards on December 1st – for asylum seekers who have submitted a follow-up application for asylum. This means that your initial application was rejected or you have withdrawn it.
That’s 30 migrants in the Greiz district. By January 1st, all of the 750 asylum seekers currently in the district will have received the card.
How much does this cost the district?
A ticket costs the district between three and six euros. Mastercard charges one euro for each booking.
When will other districts introduce the card?
The pilot project is scheduled to run until mid-January. If it works, the payment card should be introduced in other districts very quickly.