Benefits for asylum seekers are paid directly onto a payment card - the SocialCard.
This is a prepaid payment card from VISA that does not require a bank account. Payment is made automatically and digitally at the specified times, so you no longer have to go to the authorities or the cash desk in person.
The SocialCard can be used as a plastic card or digitally via your own smartphone. As soon as money has been loaded onto the SocialCard, it can be used immediately throughout Germany. The SocialCard has no credit limit. This means that you can only spend what is available on the card. The SocialCard can be used to make payments and withdraw cash.
To be able to use all of the card's functions, the card user must register in the online portal or the My SocialCard app. The online portal is optimized for use via a smartphone. Card users can access it directly from their cell phone. The login details (user name and password) from the My SocialCard app also apply to the online portal.
Below you will find some instructions for using the card:
The card user can view their current credit balance both in the My SocialCard app and in the online portal www.socialcard.de. Please proceed as follows:
1. login at: https://portal.socialcard.de or in the app.
2. the card user can find their current balance directly in the overview under "Credit limit" (online portal) or "Dashboard" (app).
The order to block the card can only be issued by the card user. The card user can do this directly in the My SocialCard app or in the online portal. Please proceed as follows:
1. login at: https://portal.socialcard.de or in the app.
2. the card user can block their card themselves directly in the overview under "Card status" (online portal) or "Card details" (app).
Alternatively, the card can be blocked by the card user by calling 116 116. They must have their 19-digit card number to hand. The 19-digit card number can be found in the online portal (at the top, next to the name) or in the My SocialCard app under "Cards". If the card user does not have the card number, the hotline cannot block the card. In this case, the card user must contact their card-issuing office.
If a SocialCard is lost, stolen or defective, the card user must first contact the card-issuing office in order to obtain a card directly on site.
If the card user has forgotten their username, they can check it themselves online: https://portal.socialcard.de/login-recovery.
After completing and submitting the application, the user name will be sent directly by e-mail to the e-mail address provided.
The card user can check the e-mail address himself online:
1. login at: https://portal.socialcard.de
2. under "Security", the card user can view and change their data themselves.
If the card user is unable to log in because they do not know their access data and do not have access to the e-mail address to which the "forgotten user name" or "forgotten password" data is sent, they must have a replacement card issued by the card-issuing authority and then register again in the app or online portal.
The card user receives the PIN together with his plastic card in a sealed envelope. The card user can check the PIN online at any time. Please proceed as follows:
1. login at: https://portal.socialcard.de or in the app.
2. under "PIN management" (online portal) or "Show PIN" (app), the card user can check their PIN independently at any time.
If the card is blocked due to too many incorrect PIN attempts, the card user can reset the PIN incorrect use counter themselves in the online portal.
1. login to: https://portal.socialcard.de.
2. directly in the overview under "Card status", the card user can reset the PIN misuse counter.
Alternatively, they can contact the card-issuing office (e.g. social welfare office), which can also reset the PIN incorrect use counter.
Once the card has been unblocked, the card user can use the card again. It is necessary to enter the correct PIN. It is recommended to insert the card into the terminal when paying in the store instead of using contactless payment.
The PIN has not changed as a result of the reset. The PIN that was communicated to the card user when the card was issued and is visible in the online portal or in the app still applies.
The card user can view an overview of their transactions independently in the My SocialCard app or in the online portal. Please proceed as follows:
1. login at: https://portal.socialcard.de or in the app.
2. under "Transactions" (online portal) or "Transactions" (app), the card user can view and download their transactions independently at any time.
New payees can be requested in the online portal. The request and decision on activation is the sole responsibility of the card-issuing authority. We have no influence on the processing time and the decision. Please proceed as follows:
1. login to: https://portal.socialcard.de
2. under "Payee", the card user can submit a request to the card-issuing authority.
If payee details are to be changed, the card user must contact the card-issuing authority.
The card user can view all credits in favor of the respective SocialCard in the online portal (in the "Transactions" section) and in the My SocialCard app (under "Transactions").
The card-issuing office is responsible for loading the card. Please contact the card-issuing office if you have any questions.
Important contacts/contact points:
Foreigners and Asylum Office
Asylum Seekers' Benefits Department
Hotline: 03731 799-3600
Mail: auslaenderbehoerde@landkreis-mittelsachsen.de
Web: https://www.landkreis-mittelsachsen.de/das-amt/behoerden/bereich-asylbewerberleistungen.html
Visitor address: Dr.-W.-Külz-Straße 16
09618 Brand-Erbisdorf
