If you live in Manitoba and are having a hard time supporting yourself or your family, you might be able to get help from the province’s Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) program.
Most of the time, EIA benefits are sent out the last week of every month. When families add in government benefits like the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit, they can make between $923 and $3,826 a year through EIA payments.
This article goes into great depth about Manitoba EIA payment dates. It talks about the types of payments you can get, the amounts you can get, and how to apply for the program.
Dates for Manitoba EIA Payments in 2024
In 2024, Manitobans can expect to get their welfare checks on these dates:
- February 29, 2024
- Saturday, February 27, 2024
- April 27, 2024
- May 26, 2024
- May 29, 2024
- June 26, 2024
These dates are for straight deposits from the EIA. A check is sent in the mail if you haven’t set up direct deposit. It may come later if you haven’t already.
Most of the time, the money will be in your bank account three work days before the end of each month.
Benefits from The EIA for Single Parents in Manitoba
If you are a single parent and want to get EIA, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old and live in Manitoba.
- Have custody of a child or children who count on you, or be 7 to 9 months pregnant.
- Be single, divorced, split, or widowed.
- Meet the financial requirements (which will be talked about later).
EIA for People with Disabilities in Manitoba
The EIA program for disabled people is being changed into the Manitoba Disability Income Support Program, which will give more money to people who need it.
It used to be that people with disabilities could get EIA if they met the following criteria:
- Are at least 18 years old and live in Manitoba
- Has a mental or physical illness that is expected to last more than 90 days and makes it hard for them to make enough money
- Meet the requirements for financial status
Manitoba’s EIA for General Help
People in Manitoba can apply for general EIA payments if they meet the following conditions:
- Aged 18 to 65 and living in Manitoba
- Do not have a handicap and are either single and not dependent on anyone else; a couple not dependent on each other; or a two-parent family.
- Meet the requirements for financial status
What the Manitoba EIA Means
The Employment and Income Assistance Program helps low-income people in Manitoba meet their most basic needs by giving them money.
In addition to giving people money (income support), the program helps them look for work and, based on their situation, may also help them find a place to live.
You can fill out an EIA application under one of the following groups:
- EIA for parents who are alone
- For people with disabilities, EIA
- EIA to help with general things
What you need to do to be eligible and how much money you can get depends on the type of application you send in.
EIA Eligibility for Money
To be eligible for EIA, the monthly costs of your basic needs (or those of your family) must be higher than your income plus your possessions.
To figure out how much money you need for basic wants, EIA looks at how many people are in your family, how old they are, and how you are related to each other. It is also thought about how much long-term medical care will cost.
Wages, child or spousal support payments, benefits, pensions, dividends, interest income, inheritances, and other types of income can affect your application.
It doesn’t count child support payments, tax credit returns, RDSP withdrawals, foster home maintenance payments, gifts up to $100 ($500 if disabled), and a few other types of income*.
Your investments, bank account balances, property, cars, collectibles, cash on hand, and insurance policies are all things that can affect your EIA eligibility.
Up to $40,000 in assets, such as your child’s RESP or trust fund, money up to $4,000 per person or $16,000 per family, and your main home and car.
When you start working, you can keep the first $200 of your net monthly income and up to 30% of any extra money you make over $200 before your EIA benefit goes down.
EIA Help with Finding a Job
People who get EIA are supposed to find work unless a disability makes that impossible.
If a single parent is getting EIA, this “work expectation” starts when all of their kids are at least 2 years old.
People who get help can access training programs and money to pay for things like child care, the phone, and work-related costs.
Also, if you work full-time, you may get up to $100 a month or up to $25 a month to cover other costs.
If a single parent quits EIA, they might be able to get a health plan for up to two years that covers their prescription drugs, vision care, and dental care.
How to Get an EIA in Manitoba
It is possible to apply for EIA online. After you send in your application, someone from the EIA will call you to talk more.
If you need help, call 204-948-4000 in Winnipeg or 1-855-944-8111 from anywhere else in the world.
The EIA has offices in Fort Garry, Steinbach, Portage La Prairie, Beausejour, Selkirk, Swan River, Flin Flon, The Pas, Morden, and Thompson.
Here you can see the addresses and phone numbers for these places. You can also get help by emailing [email protected].
If you are qualified for both Rent Assist and EIA, you will get one payment for both.
You have 30 days from the date of the decision to file an appeal with the Social Services Appeal Board if your EIA application is turned down.
Financial Help and Benefits Programs in Manitoba
In addition to EIA, Manitobans with low incomes may be able to get these other benefits:
- Up to $420 a year for each child in Manitoba, or $35 a month.
- Families who get the Manitoba Child Benefit can use the Children’s Opti-Care Program. Kids may get up to $84 a year to cover the cost of their glasses.
- Child Care Subsidy: This helps parents pay for child care (the amount changes).
- Rent help: The most you can get in “rent assistance” is 75% of the median market rent.
- Beneficiaries of the 55 PLUS program who are 55 years or older and have a low income get this reward every three months. The most a single person can get is $161.80, and the most a married or common-law couple can get is $173.90.
- The Manitoba Social Homes Program helps people with low incomes find affordable homes.