Pilot project launched – Asylum payment card: Upper Austrian model for the whole of Austria?

In Upper Austria there is a special scheme for holders of such a card from the German manufacturer Publk GmbH, based in Bersenbrück in Lower Saxony, Germany: Of the 210 euros per month (7 euros per day) to which they are entitled, 40 can euros to be withdrawn in cash from ATMs every month.

The reason for this: there are no ATMs in social markets or social flea markets, where refugees like to shop. The state’s social department initially did not want to allow this option, but under pressure from Volkshilfe, which is participating in the pilot project, State Councilor Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) finally gave in.

Multi-phase introduction
Together with Governor Thomas Stelzer and Red Cross President Walter Aichinger, Hattmannsdorfer presented the details of the planned introduction of the “Social Card”. In phase 1, residents of the Volkshilfe and Red Cross districts in the Steyr and Steyr-Land regions will receive a card. At the same time, the federal government is also launching testing operations with its asylum facility in Bad Kreuzen in the Mühlviertel.

Phase 2 will start in the autumn: The plan is to also provide refugees living in private homes with this payment card. Integration State Councilor Hattmannsdorfer sees his concept from Upper Austria as a model for implementation throughout the country. It is possible that a rollout throughout Austria will be possible in early 2025 based on the experiences in our federal state.

“With the introduction we prevent abuse”
Hattmannsdorfer says: “With the introduction of the in-kind card for refugees, we are sending an unmistakable signal, preventing abuses such as paying smugglers and simplifying processes for the organizations that make the payments. I would like to thank the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Agency for Care and Support Services for the constructive cooperation that made the rapid start of the pilot operation possible.

Further details on the use of the new payment method: The “Social Card” can only be used in Austria in the future, subsidies such as school fees (twice 100 euros per year) and cash allowances for clothing will also be charged to the card; card.

Red Cross President Walter Aichinger expects organizational processes to be simplified. After all, we are currently still working with written documents and Excel lists, says the representative of the organization, which accommodates approximately 1,000 refugees in Upper Austria.

Stelzer: “People get the help they need”
State Governor Thomas Stelzer says: “It goes without saying that we offer those fleeing war and terror protection, safety and the necessary support here on site. However, this help should not be used improperly. A kind card is a good, safe solution: people get the help they need, with the certainty that the support is used as intended.”