There were 297,570 social security assistance cases last month, down 0.1% on last December, the Social Welfare Department says.

The number of jobless receiving comprehensive social security assistance continued to fall, with 41,036 cases last month, down 1% on last December.

Cases involving single parent cases also dropped 0.3% to 39,631. However, low earning cases rose 0.2% to 18,127.