THE NUMBER of people who are eligible for social assistance as persons in material need rose in March for the 13th consecutive month to 189,600. This is the highest number of citizens receiving social welfare benefits since July 2007. According to data from the Labour, Social Affairs, and Family Central Office this is an increase of 35,800 persons since the same month last year.
The number of people receiving unemployment benefits also increased in March. Sociálna Poisťovňa, the state-administered social security provider, paid benefits to almost 48,700 unemployed people last month, 660 more than in February.
