As of: February 5, 2024, 5:45 p.m
By: Xaver Eichstädter
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Even without the Bavarian model project with four districts, the concept would have been implemented, says District Administrator Siegfried Walch.
© Photomontage District Office Traunstein/Julian Stratenschulte dpa
(Almost) no more cash for asylum seekers: Traunstein is now one of the first districts in Germany to introduce the payment card for asylum seekers - to prevent “false incentives” to migrate.
But the cash ban has even more consequences for refugees...
Traunstein District
- Asylum seekers in the Traunstein district will soon no longer be able to do what they want with their money.
From March onwards, they will
only receive their benefits digitally via a payment card
; they will hardly have any cash at their disposal anymore.
“The payment card is intended to
prevent asylum seekers’ benefits from being transferred abroad and thus create false incentives for migration
,” said District Administrator Siegfried Walch (CSU) to chiemgau24.de.
Traunstein is
one of four model communities in Bavaria
that are implementing the concept.
The districts of Fürstenfeldbruck, Straubing and Günzburg are also included.
And Bavaria, in turn, is a pioneer in Germany when it comes to the “cash ban” for asylum seekers.
Even without the Bavaria-wide model project,
the Traunstein district would have implemented the project on its own
, according to the district office.
No transfers or online purchases possible - and only regional use
This makes transfers, whether within Germany or abroad, impossible.
The same applies to online purchases or using money transfer services.
Only 50 euros can be withdrawn in cash
; the Free State has not yet determined the exact amount.
And: The
use of the payment card could also be limited regionally
, only “in the permitted area of stay,” as the Traunstein district office reports.
Asylum seekers are usually not allowed to leave the district.
The
cards are loaded with the respective standard rate according to the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act
.
The standard rates are currently between 312 and 500 euros per person per month.
According to the district office, asylum seekers are not entitled to child benefit during the ongoing asylum procedure anyway.
Previously, the money was usually transferred to people's checking accounts.
The Bavarian payment card will work at all locations that accept debit cards
.
Another advantage is that the money remains within the district office's disposal - this is of considerable importance in the event of loss or disappearance.
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