Three times more requests for help from Ticino Winterhilfe
Published: Wednesday, Feb 14th 2024, 16:40
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Winterhilfe Ticino has seen a sharp increase in applications for support compared to previous years. In particular, applications from the unemployed have literally exploded.
Applications for aid have tripled in the current financial year compared to previous years, confirmed Director Paola Eicher in a report by RSI, the radio and television station of Italian-speaking Switzerland, to the Keystone-SDA news agency. Winterhilfe's financial year runs from July 1 to June 30.
In particular, the number of applications for support from unemployed people has risen sharply. These have increased by 98% in the last seven months compared to the previous year. There are also numerous applications from single parents and the working poor.
Increase in applications since 2018
Most requests for support relate to rent, utility bills, electricity and healthcare costs, Eicher explained when asked. Overall, the number of applications has increased steadily since before the pandemic, with the exception of 2020/2021. There were 300 applications in 2018 and 900 last year, as Eicher noted.
Winterhilfe supports people with benefits in kind and pays urgent bills. The services are aimed exclusively at people who live in Switzerland and whose income is at subsistence level.
According to the Winterhilfe Schweiz website, every request for help is examined. People are also advised and, if necessary, informed if another organization (e.g. the social welfare office) is responsible for providing benefits.
©Keystone/SDA
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