Asylum: German Company to Operate Payment Card
The aim of the payment card is for all benefits for asylum seekers, such as pocket money or rent replacement, to be stored on it. This will make transfers abroad no longer possible. In addition, it should ensure that women also receive their benefits directly. The Ministry of the Interior also argues that this will reduce administrative effort.
The aim of the tender, which was carried out by the Federal Procurement Agency, was to conclude a framework agreement. On the basis of this, those federal states that have participated in the tender can now request a benefit card. For the states, flexible application possibilities and detailed adjustments should be possible.
Asylum Seeker Payment Card: Initially Different Provider in Upper Austria
In Upper Austria, a pilot project for the benefit card has been running since July. However, they are relying on the "Social Card" of the - also German - provider Publk GmbH. For the time being, they will stick with it, says the office of Social State Councillor Christian Dörfel (ÖVP) cautiously. Those asylum seekers who receive the card in February will therefore continue to receive the one from Publk. In the medium term, however, a switch to cards from Paycenter is considered possible. It is being examined how this would technically affect things.
Currently, about 1,100 - out of about 3,600 asylum seekers living in quarters of the Upper Austrian basic care - have the benefit card. The aim is still to roll out the card nationwide by the end of the year, says Dörfel.
(APA/Red.)
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