Approximately 100,000 children in Germany currently receive basic benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz), a system that welfare organizations and children’s rights advocates argue creates significant social and health-related disadvantages. According to a nationwide survey by the Paritätischer Gesamtverband and Save the Children, 87 percent of professionals working in shelters and childcare facilities report that these children face restricted social participation, while 74 percent classify their medical care as inadequate.
Barriers to Health and Nutrition
The current benefit structure often fails to meet the basic developmental needs of young refugees. Survey data indicates that over 70 percent of frontline workers believe providing a healthy, balanced diet is impossible under the existing financial constraints.
The health risks are particularly acute for vulnerable groups. Experts from Save the Children and the Paritätischer Gesamtverband have documented instances of newborns arriving without necessary medical supplies and pregnant individuals unable to access appropriate nutrition. These findings suggest that the gap between the benefits provided under the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz and the standard social security benefits (Grundsicherung) leaves children in a state of systemic deprivation.
Critiques of the Payment Card System
The introduction of the "Bezahlkarte" (payment card) for refugees has drawn sharp criticism from social workers and advocacy groups. The survey highlights that many professionals view the card as stigmatizing and impractical for daily use.
Calls for Legislative Reform
Florian Westphal, Managing Director of Save the Children, has characterized the current situation as a scandal, noting that children’s access to basic necessities should not be dictated by their residency status. Together with Joachim Rock, Chief Executive Officer of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, Westphal is calling for immediate policy changes:
- Exclusion of Benefit Cuts: The organizations demand that any reduction in benefits for families with minor children be ruled out entirely.
- Standard Adjustment: There is a formal request to review and adjust the standard benefit rates to ensure they actually cover the costs of a healthy, developmentally appropriate diet.
The debate centers on the principle that children in Germany should have equal access to the same standards of care and social participation, regardless of their legal status. As of the latest reports, the focus remains on whether these systemic hurdles can be removed to prevent long-term health and social consequences for the affected children.
Keep reading