Asylum seekers have a legal right to so-called pocket money. This cash payment is now to be replaced in order to relieve the administration. This meets with approval from politicians from Ampel and CDU.
Plans in some federal states to replace cash payment of pocket money for asylum seekers with “payment cards” have met with approval from politicians in the traffic light coalition and the opposition CDU.
The domestic policy spokeswoman for the Greens in the Bundestag, Lamya Kaddor, told the “Welt”: “First and foremost, the payment cards are a measure to relieve the administration. Unlike the stigmatizing vouchers, the payment cards continue to allow the greatest possible individual freedom and only restrict a few exceptions.” It is important that these few exceptions remain, so as not to further complicate the already heavily regulated everyday life of people in asylum seeker facilities.
The parliamentary manager of the FDP parliamentary group, Stephan Thomae, emphasized that the legislature does not specify any rules as to the form in which asylum seeker benefits are issued. “The municipalities are free to decide whether to pay in cash, via a payment card or in the form of benefits in kind. That’s right, because the municipalities can decide for themselves what is the most practical and pragmatic solution for them.”
Alexander Throm (CDU), domestic policy spokesman for the Union faction, also welcomed the plans – but also assessed them as a result of a failure of the traffic light coalition to control migration. “If they can’t expect any help from the traffic light government, then it’s only right that they help themselves. Payment cards instead of cash make sense, especially as Germany’s high social standards are a strong incentive for irregular migration to our country.”
Preparations for tests are underway
In several parts of Germany, preparations are underway to test alternatives to cash pocket money for asylum seekers. According to a report in the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” on Sunday, Hamburg, Lower Saxony’s state capital Hanover and Bavaria are planning corresponding pilot procedures.
Asylum seekers have a legal right to so-called pocket money to cover “necessary personal needs”. The amount depends on the life situation and age. A single adult currently receives 182 euros per month.
Source: Stern
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