Arrival of the Refugee Benefit Payment Card
In the Esslingen district, around 1,000 payment cards have been issued to individuals residing in temporary accommodation, as part of a new system implemented since spring. These cards, designed to replace cash for refugees without access to it, can be used for both online purchases and in-store transactions.
The city administration of Leinfelden-Echterden is responsible for checking the acceptance of the refugee card and ensuring it can be used for shopping. However, it remains unclear whether the payment cards are accepted in all stores or only online. Store operators in Stuttgart have expressed concerns about potential additional administrative tasks that might come with accepting the payment card.
The Liste Engagierte Bürger/DiB faction has been actively investigating the effectiveness and efficiency of the payment card system. In July, they posed questions to the administration about the use of the payment cards. The Filderstadt diakonie shop is already using the refugee payment card, while the Kämmerle, a store that caters to people with limited means, supports measures benefiting disadvantaged people but raises questions about future administrative steps if the card is accepted as a means of payment.
It's important to note that the court case in Boeblingen involving a pensioner groping siblings, the situation in Ludwigsburg, the Ludwigsburg committee "Have the right to be heard", and the integration council fighting for influence, and the head-on crash in the Göppingen district are not related to the refugee payment card.
Despite the implementation still being underway, around 1,500 more payment cards are expected to be distributed for follow-up accommodation. The payment card has a limit of 50 euros per person, but it's unclear if this is a sufficient amount for refugees' needs. The faction's conclusion is that bureaucratic reduction has not yet been met regarding the refugee payment card.
However, it's reassuring to know that stores should not incur any additional costs as a result of accepting the refugee payment card. People in Stuttgart can exchange funds beyond the 50 euros limit of the refugee payment card at several locations.
As the system continues to roll out, it will be interesting to see how it evolves and whether it proves to be a beneficial solution for refugees in the Esslingen district.
