There were 296,688 social security assistance cases last month, up 0.3% on February, the Social Welfare Department says.

Cases involving people with low earnings rose 1.7% from 16,624 cases to 16,902. However, the number of jobless receiving comprehensive social security assistance continued to fall, with 44,224 cases last month, down 0.3% on February.

There was also a drop in the share of such cases to the overall total, to 14.9% from 15% in February. The percentage share was the lowest since August in 2003, when a record-high of 17.9% was seen.