By Bernhard Kirschner
Since March, refugees in Tübingen who receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act have been able to exchange vouchers for cash. This was offered by an initiative after the district began issuing payment cards.
In 2024, the Bundestag decided that municipalities could issue asylum seekers with a payment card instead of cash. This allows them to pay in many retail stores or to buy a voucher. However, the monthly limit is set at just 50 euros.
Discrimination against refugees feared
Non-governmental organizations that care for refugees consider this discriminatory, said Anna Mayer of tunews INTERNATIONAL. She is the spokeswoman for the Tübingen initiative “Bank card for all – instead of payment card”. Every Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., you can exchange money for a voucher at the Bachgasse community center in Tübingen.
Great willingness among supporters
Mayer regrets that no refugees have taken advantage of the opportunity so far. She suspects that this is because few cards have been issued yet. However, some supporters have already come and left cash in return for a receipt, Mayer continues. They will receive vouchers as soon as the first ones are handed in. The willingness to help makes it easier to get started, so there is already some money in the till.
High bureaucratic burden
The initiative does not accept that refugees are being restricted in this way. They cannot shop in stores that don’t have card readers, such as foreign supermarkets, second-hand stores or flea markets.
In addition, the changeover means additional bureaucratic work for the district administration. Most of those affected have a current account to which the money was previously transferred. Now it has to be loaded onto the payment card, says Mayer. The district office in Tübingen hopes to have the changeover completed by the end of the year. There are over 400 beneficiaries.
Mössingen plans exchange option
In other cities, such as Munich, such exchange programs have been in place for quite some time, Mayer knows. They have had good experiences there. Tübingen is following the pioneers. In Mössingen, too, an initiative wants to offer an exchange option. However, a room for this is still missing.
Bundestag clears the way for payment card
In 2024, the Bundestag had amended the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act because of the payment card. Instead of paying out state benefits in cash or as a check, the money is posted to the card, according to a statement from the federal government. Among other things, this is intended to prevent cash payments to smugglers or to families in their home countries. This is intended to reduce the incentive for so-called irregular migration. In addition, the card is intended to relieve the administration of the municipalities.
Further information can be found at:
keep.tuebingen.social | Card exchange campaign
at tuenews, see: tun25012802
District of Tuebingen | Benefits for asylum seekers
Federal government | Debit card for refugees
tun25030409