The controversial pilot project of the benefits-in-kind card for asylum seekers is about to be expanded in Upper Austria. Introduced in July, it is currently limited to the Steyr area. This is set to change in mid-October: the debit card will then also be issued in accommodations in Linz and parts of Linz-Land (Wilhering, Leonding, Pasching, Traun, Ansfelden, Neuhofen and Hofkirchen). The project partners are Caritas, Volkshilfe and the Red Cross. The number of recipients will thus increase from around 250 to almost 1,000.
The background to the innovation is, as reported, that the basic services that asylum seekers receive are credited to the said cards, and there is a limit of 40 euros per month for cash withdrawals. On Thursday, Governor Thomas Stelzer and State Councilor for Integration Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, together with Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (all three VPs) and Andreas Achrainer, Managing Director of the Federal Agency for Care and Support Services, drew a positive conclusion about the pilot project. The facility in Bad Kreuzen is also part of this, and the Upper Austrian model is the model for the planned rollout across the entire state.
As announced, the tender for nationwide use is to start in October, and the cards will be used nationwide from 2025. Karner said that seven federal states have currently agreed to take part in the tender – with the exception of Vienna and Lower Austria. The latter has gone ahead with its own model, but Karner is confident that he will still be able to convince both federal states.
Expansion of fields of work
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Like Karner, Stelzer emphasized that the benefit-in-kind cards can prevent abuse and simplify administration. The start of the project in Steyr “went smoothly,” emphasized Hattmannsdorfer.
The federal regulation to expand the fields of activity for asylum seekers has now been implemented. This now includes community service for the federal government, states, municipalities and public organizations that are not profit-oriented. In federal institutions, such community service is compulsory, otherwise pocket money is threatened. Since the change in mid-July, around 62,400 hours have been completed by 1,213 people, and around 200 refusers have had their pocket money reduced.
In federal institutions, pocket money can also be cut if people fail to attend values training without an excuse. Since June, 2,327 people have completed the courses; 37 have received warnings and seven have had their allowances cut.
The expanded regulation on the fields of work is currently being gradually implemented in Upper Austria, Hattmannsdorfer informed on Thursday. He had been calling for such a regulation for some time.
Praise and criticism
FP parliamentary group leader Herwig Mahr welcomes the nationwide rollout of the payment card. A strict approach is needed to reduce the attractiveness for illegal immigration. Green MP Ines Vukajlovic sees things differently and is sharply critical of the card model.
ePaper
What additional services will be available to asylum seekers through the expanded benefits-in-kind card program in Austria?
Austria to Expand Benefits-in-Kind Card Program for Asylum Seekers
In a move to improve the asylum seeker experience in Austria, the government has announced plans to expand its benefits-in-kind card program, which was initially piloted in the Steyr area of Upper Austria in July. The program, which provides asylum seekers with a debit card loaded with basic services, aims to prevent abuse and simplify administration.
How the Program Works
The benefits-in-kind card, which is currently limited to around 250 recipients in the Steyr area, will be rolled out to additional accommodations in Linz and parts of Linz-Land, including Wilhering, Leonding, Pasching, Traun, Ansfelden, Neuhofen, and Hofkirchen. The card allows asylum seekers to access essential services, with a limit of 40 euros per month for cash withdrawals. The program is a collaborative effort between Caritas, Volkshilfe, and the Red Cross.
Nationwide Rollout Planned
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has announced plans to roll out the program nationwide, with a tender for nationwide use set to begin in October. The goal is to implement the program across the entire state by 2025. Seven federal states have already agreed to participate in the tender, with the exception of Vienna and Lower Austria, which have opted to develop their own models. Despite this, Karner remains confident that he can still convince these states to join the program.
Expansion of Fields of Work
In addition to the benefits-in-kind card program, the federal regulation to expand the fields of activity for asylum seekers has been implemented. This now includes community service for the federal government, states, municipalities, and public organizations that are not profit-oriented. In federal institutions, such community service is compulsory, and pocket money can be withheld if asylum seekers fail to comply. Since the change in mid-July, around 62,400 hours of community service have been completed by 1,213 people, with around 200 refusers having their pocket money reduced.
Praise and Criticism
While some, like FP parliamentary group leader Herwig Mahr, have welcomed the nationwide rollout of the payment card as a necessary step to reduce the attractiveness of illegal immigration, others, such as Green MP Ines Vukajlovic, have expressed sharp criticism of the card model.
Austria’s Asylum Procedure
Asylum seekers in Austria must file their application in person, and, if admitted to the asylum procedure, will receive a residence entitlement card, also known as a white card [3]. The procedure involves a series of steps, including an interview and a decision on the asylum application.
New Obligations for Asylum Seekers
In related news, the Austrian Interior Minister has announced a package of new requirements for asylum seekers across Austria, which will apply in addition to the benefits-in-kind card program [1]. These new obligations are part of the government’s efforts to streamline the asylum procedure and ensure that asylum seekers are integrated into Austrian society.
the expansion of the benefits-in-kind card program is a significant development in Austria’s asylum policy, aiming to prevent abuse and simplify administration. While the program has received praise from some quarters, critics have expressed concerns about its effectiveness and potential impact on asylum seekers. As the program rolls out nationwide, it will be important to monitor its progress and assess its impact on Austria’s asylum seeker population.
Germany asylum benefits 2024
The Benefits-in-Kind Card for Asylum Seekers in Austria: Expansion and Controversy
The benefits-in-kind card for asylum seekers, a pilot project introduced in July in the Steyr area of Upper Austria, is set to expand to other regions in mid-October. The project, which provides basic services such as food, clothing, accommodation, and health services, will now be available to almost 1,000 recipients in Linz and parts of Linz-Land.
How the Card Works
The benefits-in-kind card is a prepaid debit card that asylum seekers can use to access basic services. The card has a limit of 40 euros per month for cash withdrawals, and the aim is to prevent abuse and simplify administration. The project partners, including Caritas, Volkshilfe, and the Red Cross, will provide the necessary services.
Expansion of Fields of Work
In addition to the benefits-in-kind card, the federal regulation has been implemented to expand the fields of activity for asylum seekers. This now includes community service for the federal government, states, municipalities, and public organizations that are not profit-oriented. Asylum seekers who participate in community service will be rewarded with pocket money, while those who refuse may have their pocket money reduced.
Praise and Criticism
The nationwide rollout of the payment card has been welcomed by some, such as FP parliamentary group leader Herwig Mahr, who believes that a strict approach is needed to reduce the attractiveness of illegal immigration. However, others, such as Green MP Ines Vukajlovic, have been sharply critical of the card model.
Background
The benefits-in-kind card is part of a larger effort to provide support to asylum seekers in Austria. According to the Asylum-Seekers’ Benefits Act (AsylbLG), asylum seekers are entitled to basic care, including food, clothing, accommodation, and health services, in case of acute need[[[1]]. In some states, including Bavaria, asylum seekers also receive tickets for public transport as benefits in kind in return for less ‘pocket money'[[[3]].
Future Development
The tender for nationwide use of the benefits-in-kind card is set to start in October, with the aim of implementing the card across the entire state by 2025. Seven federal states have currently agreed to take part in the tender, with the exception of Vienna and Lower Austria, which has gone ahead with its own model.
Additional Services
With the expanded benefits-in-kind card program in Austria, asylum seekers can expect to have access to a range of additional services, including community service, values training, and public transportation. The program aims to provide a more comprehensive support system for asylum seekers in Austria.
