Asylum seekers: Cost playing cards will likely be issued in mid-July

LINZ. The pilot mission initially includes eight services, affecting round 300 asylum seekers.

It’s a pilot mission that’s supposed to be adopted all through Austria: as introduced, the check operation of the benefits-in-kind card for asylum seekers will begin in Higher Austria in July. In contrast to in Decrease Austria, this will likely be carried out in coordination with the Ministry of the Inside.

The pilot mission will use the Social Card, which is already in use in elements of Germany. This works like a debit card and its use is restricted to Austria. Sure areas akin to playing are excluded.

Extra on the topic: Cost card for asylum seekers from July: Questions and solutions concerning the check operation

Based on State Councillor for Integration Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, the pilot mission could make a big contribution to the additional growth of fundamental companies. The benefits are apparent for the VP politician: on the one hand, abuse could possibly be prevented, and on the opposite, administration could possibly be simplified and repair provision standardized.

Eight quarters are concerned in the beginning: Along with the federal care middle in Dangerous Kreuzen, there are additionally seven fundamental care services of the Crimson Cross, the Volkshilfe, the Diakonie and personal lodging suppliers in Steyr and Steyr-Land. Round 300 asylum seekers are affected, 143 of them (90 adults and 53 minors) are accommodated in state quarters. Households are concerned in addition to people.

Picture: DanielaSternberger

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State Councillor Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Volkshilfe Managing Director Jasmine Chansri and Crimson Cross Director Thomas Märzinger at in the present day’s presentation
Picture: Daniela Sternberger

Youngsters don’t obtain their very own card; their cash is added to the mother and father’ account. If so, the quantity that may be withdrawn will increase, however is proscribed to 40 euros per individual monthly. Adults obtain seven euros per day for meals, these below 18 obtain 5 euros, and kids as much as the age of three obtain a further 20 euros monthly. There may be 100 euros per semester for college charges. The stability could be considered by way of the web site and app.

The month-to-month mission prices quantity to 747 euros, plus one-off funding prices of 784 euros – these are borne by the state.

“Appropriate for on a regular basis use”

Thomas Märzinger, director of the Higher Austrian Crimson Cross, sees the introduction of the cardboard as “a significant benefit in simplifying administration”. Because of this massive quantities of cash now not should be saved in inventory within the districts.
Jasmine Chansri, Managing Director of Volkshilfe OÖ, stated that money withdrawals had been a key concern and that an settlement was reached by way of dialogue. She considers the cardboard to be “appropriate for on a regular basis use”.

All these concerned need to use the pilot mission to achieve insights into the optimum course of for refugees and workers. There may be already one innovation: Based on Märzinger, the Steyr Crimson Cross market will likely be outfitted with an ATM, the place beforehand solely money funds had been potential. As reported, this was one of many main factors of criticism beforehand.

Criticism from the Greens

The pilot mission will likely be expanded within the autumn, then Caritas will likely be on board as a companion, and the circle will likely be expanded to incorporate asylum seekers in independently organized quarters. The tender for full nationwide operation is lastly to be issued initially of 2025.

Criticism got here once more in the present day from the Greens: For the Greens’ spokesperson for integration, state parliament member Ines Vukajlovic, the benefits-in-kind card is a “right-wing, hasty populism on the expense of these affected”.