Sondershausen/Bersenbrück, 22 February 2024 – With the SocialCard, people who are entitled to benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act in the Kyffhäuserkreis district of Thuringia will in future have quick and easy access to their social benefits.
According to the current status, the payment card will be issued to 360 benefit recipients from 1 March 2024. The solution was developed by Publk GmbH.
The SocialCard is a Visa prepaid card that is not linked to a bank account. Social benefits that were previously paid out in cash will now be credited to the payment card on a monthly basis via SEPA transfer. Authorities or administrations create the cards once, automatically receive an individual IBAN for each card and thus replace the previous cash payments.
Flexibility and security for the Kyffhäuser district
The digitisation of cash payments streamlines administrative processes and significantly reduces the workload for employees. Recipients no longer have to make a monthly trip to a government agency or cash office. They also enjoy greater flexibility and security in their financial transactions.
The SocialCard can be loaded digitally into a wallet or issued as a physical card. If lost or stolen, the card can be blocked immediately and the credit transferred to a new card. The card has a neutral design and is visually indistinguishable from other cards issued by banks, for example. The solution can be seamlessly implemented into existing infrastructures and requires no additional hardware or software.
“The SocialCard offers numerous advantages for both local authorities and benefit recipients,” emphasises Joerg Schwitalla, founder and managing director of Publk GmbH. “Our solution is extremely flexible and can be easily adapted to individual requirements at local, state and federal level, as has been done here in the Kyffhäuserkreis district.”
Secure, regional and individual
In the Kyffhäuserkreis district, the payment card is linked to the first two postcode numbers of the respective region. The Kyffhäuserkreis district made a conscious decision to do this in order to give preference to regional use, but still allow potential use outside the district. The designated area thus restricts the use of the payment card within Germany, but still allows asylum seekers to integrate into cultural and social life.
The district’s intention is to simplify the payment process and prevent potential misuse, as no transfers are possible with this payment card. Furthermore, the regional restriction of the card is also intended to strengthen the regional economy.
The district administrator of the Kyffhäuser district, Ms Antje Hochwind-Schneider (SPD), commented on the introduction of the payment card as follows: “I am very relieved that we are able to introduce the payment card system for asylum seekers so quickly and easily.
The SocialCard will help reduce administrative costs and save time. It is particularly noteworthy that the card’s regional restrictions will strengthen the local economy while also promoting the participation of asylum seekers in cultural life in the Kyffhäuserkreis district. This is a cornerstone for the successful integration of asylum seekers in our district.
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