Rhineland-Palatinate Introduces Payment Cards for Refugees in Pilot Program

The new cards aim to streamline state benefits distribution and reduce administrative burdens, starting with a pilot in Trier.

Rhineland-Palatinate has begun issuing payment cards to refugees as part of a pilot program in Trier, involving up to 80 participants over six to eight weeks.
The cards allow refugees to make purchases in stores and online, with a portion of their state benefits available as cash withdrawals capped at €130 per month.
The program aims to simplify the distribution of benefits by automating biweekly payments, eliminating the need for refugees to collect cash in person.
Officials highlight the cards as a means to reduce administrative workload for municipalities and prevent misuse of funds, such as sending money to smugglers or abroad.
If successful, the program will be expanded to other refugee reception centers and municipalities, with many local governments expressing interest in adopting the system.