Bersenbrück, 22 April 2024 – Five districts in Baden-Württemberg are using the SocialCard to simplify the process of paying out benefits. In Konstanz, Rastatt and Waldshut, as well as in the Ortenaukreis and Zollernalbkreis districts, beneficiaries now receive the Publk GmbH payment card instead of cash – either digitally for their smartphones or as a physical card for their wallets. The SocialCard was developed to digitise and simplify the payment of social benefits.
Relief for refugees and authorities
The process of issuing cash payments has traditionally involved a significant amount of manpower. Joerg Schwitalla, founder and managing director of Publk, explains: “The introduction of the SocialCard now makes it easier for eligible individuals without a German bank account to receive government benefits. The digitisation of cash payments eliminates the need for monthly visits to government offices, for example, which not only saves time and travel for benefit recipients, but also immediately reduces the workload in administrative offices and cashier’s offices.”
Another advantage is that the SocialCard can be used immediately and can be seamlessly integrated into existing municipal structures. There is no need to purchase additional hardware or software or provide extensive training for employees.
The payment card is a credit-based Visa debit card that works without a linked account. Social security benefits that were previously paid in cash are now credited to the payment card each month by the relevant authorities via SEPA transfer. Authorities or administrations set up the cards once and receive an individual IBAN for each card. If a card is lost or stolen, cardholders can block their card themselves directly in the app or have it blocked by the relevant authority.
Counties have the choice
“The SocialCard is not only a straightforward and effective solution for supporting the digitisation of administration – it is also extremely flexible in its application and can be adapted to individual requirements nationwide with minimal effort. Its ease of use has proven particularly valuable in practice,” adds Joerg Schwitalla.
Each district can configure the SocialCard individually and according to its needs, for example, how much cash can be withdrawn or whether the card can only be used regionally. Thanks to its neutral design, the card looks no different from other bank cards, so users can pay without discrimination in any shop that accepts Visa cards.
. Visa cards are accepted by over 1.2 million retailers throughout Germany, ensuring broad acceptance in brick-and-mortar retail.
By optimising their payment practices on the basis of the SocialCard, the first local authorities in Baden-Württemberg have quickly taken an initial step towards significantly reducing the administrative burden associated with social benefits and getting digitisation processes off the ground.
About the SocialCard
The SocialCard digitises the payment of social benefits. It is a “cash and cheque equivalent”. The SocialCard is issued as a Visa debit card and enables benefit recipients to receive their social benefits quickly and easily. It thus offers them dignified participation in everyday life. At the same time, it reduces the administrative burden on local authorities. Wherever cash or cheques have been used up to now, the SocialCard can simplify and streamline payments by digitising cash processes.
About Publk
Publk specialises in digitising payments in the public sector that were previously made in cash or by cheque. Publk understands the payment needs of local authorities and has developed the SocialCard, a solution that is optimally tailored to all requirements and legal and regulatory specifications.
Press
Fink & Fuchs AG
Simone Motschmann
Tel.: 0611-74131-929
Email: socialcard@finkfuchs.de