More than 250,000 people applied for welfare last year, an increase of 7.6% from the previous year, the highest number in over 10 years. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare says, ``This is thought to be due to the prolonged impact of the new coronavirus and a decrease in savings due to soaring prices'' The number of applications for welfare benefits has been decreasing for six consecutive years since 2013, when data collection began using the current method and comparisons were possible.