Zurich Fewer people receiving social welfare in Winterthur

The number of people in Winterthur who are dependent on social welfare continued to fall last year. In 2023, 6650 people received social welfare at least once a year. This is 5.1 percent less than in the previous year.

The social welfare rate therefore fell to 4.8 percent. As the city of Winterthur announced on Monday, this is the lowest rate since 2013. Of the 954 social welfare cases that were closed in 2023, more than a third no longer needed support because they had found work. This is encouraging.

In total, the city of Winterthur spent 91.7 million francs on social benefits last year. Although the number of social welfare recipients fell, this is CHF 5.6 million more than in 2022. The reasons for the increase in expenditure are inflation and more cases of supplementary benefits for AHV and IV.

More supplementary benefits for AHV

The city spent 36 million francs on supplementary benefits. 5069 people were supported, 36 more than in the previous year. Supplementary AHV benefits are still mostly paid to women who live at home.

Expenditure on asylum care was also higher. According to the city, the number of cases has more than tripled since the start of the war in Ukraine. In 2023, the city of Winterthur supported 1228 people with asylum care. In 2021, there were only 377.

Rising costs in asylum care

Asylum care cost a total of 6 million francs. The costs for accommodation and support for refugees are likely to rise further in the current year, as Winterthur will have to take in additional refugees. As of July 1, 2024, the canton increased the admission rate from 1.3 to 1.6 percent.

Individual social benefits include social assistance, asylum care, supplementary benefits to AHV and IV and alimony advance payments.

SDA