Saale-Orla district also wants payment cards for asylum seekers
Following the Greiz district, the Saale-Orla district also wants to replace cash payments to asylum seekers with a payment card. Asylum seekers will be able to use the technically limited payment card to buy supplies and take care of everyday needs, as the district administration office in Schleiz announced on Monday. However, cash withdrawals or international transfers will not be possible with the card. The changeover is planned "as soon as possible", but the district office did not give a specific date. The district administration first wants to await the experience with a payment card in the neighboring district of Greiz.
A pilot project for Thuringia is expected to start issuing payment cards there on December 1. Saale-Orla district councillor Thomas Fügmann (CDU) pleaded on Monday for a "uniform nationwide or at least Thuringia-wide" regulation. "However, if it becomes apparent that an endless amount of time will pass before then, we will take action and follow the Greiz model," he explained in a statement.
According to the district administration office, the aim of the changeover is to reduce the administrative burden of monthly cash payments. It is also about preventing "possible misappropriation of social benefits by refugees".
A week ago, the federal and state governments agreed, among other things, that people seeking protection would in future receive at least part of their benefits as credit on a payment card.
The Saale-Orla district is considering adopting the Greiz district's model of providing payment cards to asylum seekers, aiming to alleviate the administrative burden and prevent potential misuse of social benefits by refugees. Municipalities in Thuringia, such as Saale-Orla, may need to align their payment card policies to ensure a uniform or at least regional approach, as suggested by district councillor Thomas Fügmann.
Source: www.dpa.com
