Job: Unemployment benefit is to be paid in the supermarket

In exceptional cases, unemployed can withdraw payments from the Jobcenters to vending machines. They're supposed to be dismantled. The money is now available at the supermarket cashier.

Job: Unemployment benefit is to be paid in the supermarket

In future, beneficiaries of unemployment benefit may be able to pay an advance as cash at supermarket funds in urgent cases. The procedure is intended for people who do not have ir own account, said a spokesman for Federal Employment Agency (BA). So far, unemployed in such cases can withdraw approved contributions to cash dispensers in centres and employment agencies. It wants to reduce BA for cost reasons.

The new solution in supermarket was a way to help "unbureaucratic and fast" said spokesman. Instead of only well 300 vending machines, those affected could now receive money in over 8,000 markets from Rewe, Penny, Real, DM and Rossmann. The changeover is expected to begin in second quarter of 2018. In past, operation of vending machines cost federal agency a total of 3.2 million euros. The new solution should be cheaper.

In new procedure, unemployed persons in participating markets must present a note with a barcode for which y receive money in return. The sheets should be printed in a neutral manner in order to avoid stigmatization of persons concerned. "The cash payment is uncomplicated, without waiting and non-discriminatory in normal life environment of customer", federal agency of world shared on Sunday. However, most of payments will be transferred to bank accounts. In addition, job payments could also continue to pay in form of cheques.

The labour market political spokesperson for left Bundestag group, Sabine Zimmermann, criticized BA. "Where do we come from when a public authority dissects its duties to supermarkets?" said Zimmermann. The federal agency must ensure that job and employment agencies could also issue cash. Especially many homeless people would not have ir own account and would be dependent on cash payments. The concept could possibly be a supplement for those who want to receive ir money.

In affiliated branches, customers can already pay for online purchases and electricity bills at cash desk or withdraw money from ir bank account.

Date Of Update: 13 November 2017, 12:02
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