Manitoba EIA Payment Dates

What Is The Manitoba EIA Program?

The Manitoba Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) program is a financial assistance program that offers non-taxable income support to eligible low-income Manitoba residents to help them to meet the costs of essentials like food, clothing, and shelter, as well as health-related costs.

The Manitoba EIA also provides an Employment Assistance Program, which enables eligible students to find a job and work to earn a living.

The program is sponsored by the provincial government of Manitoba and has three main categories:

• EIA for single parents
• EIA for persons with disabilities
• EIA for general assistance

The EIA program also offers additional benefits to individuals living in the remote or northern regions of the province.

Manitoba EIA Benefits

The Manitoba EIA offers two main types of benefits:

• Income Support
• Employment Assistance

EIA Income Support

The Income Support or Income Assistance portion of the EIA comprises different financial assistance benefit programs offered by the federal and Manitoba provincial governments.

One such provincial program is the Rent Assist program, which provides financial aid to cover the costs of shelter-related expenses like utility bills and rent.

The EIA is another provincial program offered by the Manitoba government.

The EIA Income Assistance or Income Support also provides financial support to cover the cost of health-related and living expenses for individuals living in Manitoba with one form of disability or another.

There is also the Northern allowance contained in the EIA Income Support that offers financial support to individuals living in Northern Manitoba to cover the costs of living expenses as goods and services cost more in the North.

The federal benefits covered by the EIA Income Assistance may include the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit (CCB).

EIA Employment Assistance

The EIA has a ‘work expectation,' which is the requirement that most EIA recipients look for work. Individuals living with one form of disability or another are not required to look for a job to be a beneficiary of the EIA. However, they are encouraged to involve themselves voluntarily in the EIA employment services.

The EIA Employment Assistance provides employment and job training programs to individuals with work expectations and enables them to start a business and become self-employed.

If you have a work expectation or want to be prepared to get a job, the EIA staff will help you by setting up a personalized plan suited to your needs and abilities.

You may also receive financial aid from the EIA Employment Assistance to help you with your action plan and to also help cover the costs of childcare expenses, transportation, work expenses, and telephone bills. Additionally, you may receive up to $25 per month for help with miscellaneous expenses incurred when you are in an approved job training program.

You can contact the EIA for any inquiries or if there are any changes regarding your action plan.

Manitoba EIA Payment Dates 2023

Manitoba EIA payments are made within three days of the end of the previous month. So, if you are eligible to receive the monthly Manitoba EIA payments in 2023, you will receive the payments on the following dates:

Benefit Month	EIA Payment Dates
January	December 29, 2021
February	January 27, 2023
March	February 24, 2023
April	March 29, 2023
May	April 28, 2023
June	May 29, 2023
July	June 28, 2023
August	July 28, 2023
September	August 29, 2023
October	September 28, 2023
November	October 27, 2023
December	November 27, 2023

The EIA program has a flexible payment schedule. Hence, recipients may receive their benefit payments on dates outside the ones stated above. For example, recipients may receive payments every week, biweekly, or every other week. This is because the EIA pays beneficiaries on payment dates depending on their situation.

You can sign up to receive your benefit payment through direct deposit. This way, the EIA will pay your benefit directly into your bank or credit union account. Direct deposit is reliable, secure, fast, and automatic.

Related: You may be interested to learn about the Ontario Disability Support Program or ODSP.

Manitoba EIA Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for the Manitoba EIA depend on the eligibility requirements for the different EIA assistance categories.

Each category has its own set of requirements you must meet to be eligible for the program, and you can be eligible for any of them depending on your circumstances.

EIA Eligibility Requirements For Single Parents

To qualify for the EIA as a single parent, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a resident of Manitoba.
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must either be in your seventh, eighth, or ninth month of pregnancy or have one or more dependent children in your care.
• You must be in financial need.

EIA Eligibility Requirements For Persons With Disabilities

To be eligible to receive the EIA as a person with a disability or disabilities, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a resident of Manitoba. 
• You must be at least 18 years old. 
• You must have a mental or physical disability or impairment that is expected to last for more than 90 days, and your disability significantly prevents you from working or earning enough money to support yourself or your family and meet your basic needs.
• You must be in financial need.

EIA Eligibility Requirements For General Assistance

To receive the Manitoba EIA for general assistance, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a resident of Manitoba.
• You must be at least 18 years old up to 65 years of age.
• You must not have any disability and are:
  • a single individual and have no dependents or children.
  • a couple and have no dependents or children.
  • a two-parent family.
• You must be in financial need.

Financial Eligibility

You may be qualified to receive EIA assistance if you are in financial need. That means that your total monthly expenses for yourself and your family are more than the total income you earn every month.

The amount you will be eligible to receive in monthly EIA assistance payments depends on how much income and assets you have.

Income Eligibility

When deciding whether or not you're eligible, the EIA considers all your income sources. Income sources you may have include:

• Wages or salary earned from working
• Money earned from being self-employed
• Child or spousal support payments
• Money received from rents or room and board payments
• Allowances from other programs
• Pensions
• Insurance benefits
• Financial settlements from a lawsuit or injury
• Farm or business profits
• Interest
• Dividends
• Inheritances and other income sources

There are some forms of income that the EIA considers exemptions. Some examples of exempt income include:

• A portion of your job earnings
• A portion of the amount you receive for renting out a home or for room and board payments
• The cash you may receive as gifts up to a maximum of $100 per person
• Payments for foster home maintenance
• Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments
• Tax credits and refunds
• Benefits received from the Manitoba Prenatal Benefit Program
• Money received by your children in school or a full-time EIA-approved program

Asset Eligibility

Assets include:

• Cash and money in bank accounts
• Investments
• Insurance policies
• Bonds
• Properties
• Collections and valuables
• Trust funds
• Vehicles

Just like in the income requirements, the EIA considers some assets exempt. These don't affect the EIA payment amount you may receive. These exempt assets include:

• Liquid assets or money up to $4,000 for each person and a maximum of $16,000 per family
• Your primary residence
• Your vehicles
• Home equipment
• Children's trust funds up to a maximum of $40,000
• Registered Education Savings Plans
• Any approved Individual Development accounts you may own

Your eligibility for the EIA may be affected if you:

• Have been incarcerated or have an outstanding warrant for a serious offence.
• Were recently fired, rejected a job, or recently quit your job

Manitoba EIA Benefits: How Much Can You Receive?

The amount you may receive for EIA assistance is a combination of the provincial benefits and federal benefits you may be eligible for.

The amount you may be eligible to receive for basic needs in any category depends on the following:

• The number of people in your family
• The ages of your family members and their relationships with each other
• The costs of some of your health or medical needs

The total amount you receive can vary, depending on if you qualify for any of the different categories in the program.

Manitoba EIA For Single Parents: Payment Amounts

If you're single and have no dependents, and are eligible for the EIA for Single Parents program, you may receive the following:

• $948 per month ($923 from provincial benefits and $25 from federal benefits).

However, you may receive the following amounts if you have children or dependents:

Number of Children Aged 0-6 years	Number of Children Aged 7-11 years	Number of Children Aged 12-17 years	Provincial Benefits Amount	Federal Benefits Amount	Total Income Received
0	0	1	$1,363	$538	$1,901
0	1	0	$1,325	$538	$1,863
1	0	0	$1,312	$626	$1,938
0	0	2	$1,536	$1,027	$2,563
0	2	0	$1,461	$1,027	$2,487
2	0	0	$1,423	$1,203	$2,625
0	1	1	$1,498	$1,027	$2,525
1	1	0	$1,448	$1,115	$2,562
1	0	1	$1,485	$1,115	$2,600
0	0	3	$1,699	$1,515	$3,214
0	3	0	$1,585	$1,515	$3,100
3	0	0	$1,522	$1,779	$3,302
0	1	2	$1,661	$1,515	$3,176
1	0	2	$1,648	$1,603	$3,251
1	2	0	$1,572	$1,603	$3,176
0	2	1	$1,623	$1,515	$3,138
2	0	1	$1,585	$1,691	$3,267
2	1	0	$1,547	$1,691	$3,239
1	1	1	$1,610	$1,603	$3,213

You will also receive additional amounts if you are a single, pregnant mother in your seventh, eighth, or ninth month of pregnancy.

Manitoba EIA For Persons With Disabilities

If you have a disability and are eligible to receive the EIA for persons with disabilities, you may receive:

• A maximum of $1,093 if you are single with no dependents or children.
• A maximum of $1,418 if you have a spouse or common-law partner with no dependents or children.

If you have dependents or children, you may receive the following amounts:

Number of Children Aged 0-6 years	Number of Children Aged 7-11 years	Number of Children Aged 12-17 years	Total Amount Received by Single Individual	Total Amount Received by a Couple Where One Partner has a Disability
0	0	1	$2,055	$2,275
0	1	0	$2,015	$2,236
1	0	0	$2,071	$2,291
0	0	2	$2,726	$2,935
0	2	0	$2,646	$2,856
2	0	0	$2,758	$2,967
0	1	1	$2,686	$2,895
1	1	0	$2,702	$2,911
1	0	1	$2,742	$2,951
0	0	3	$3,386	$3,850
0	3	0	$3,266	$3,730
3	0	0	$3,434	$3,898
0	1	2	$3,346	$3,810
1	0	2	$3,402	$3,866
1	2	0	$3,322	$3,786
0	2	1	$3,306	$3,770
2	0	1	$3,418	$3,882
2	1	0	$3,378	$3,842
1	1	1	$3,362	$3,826

Manitoba EIA For General Assistance 

If you are eligible to receive the EIA in the general category, you may be eligible to receive:

• $796 ($771 from provincial benefits and $25 from federal benefits) if you are single and have no children or dependents.
• $1,104 if you are married or have a common-law partner with no dependents ($1,055 from provincial benefits and $49 from federal benefits). 

You will receive the following amounts if you are a couple and have children or dependents:

Number of Children Aged 0-6 years	Number of Children Aged 7-11 years	Number of Children Aged 12-17 years	Provincial Benefits Amount	Federal Benefits Amount	Total Income Received
0	0	1	$1,465	$538	$2,003
0	1	0	$1,425	$538	$1,963
1	0	0	$1,393	$626	$2,019
0	0	2	$1,636	$1,027	$2,663
0	2	0	$1,557	$1,027	$2,583
2	0	0	$1,492	$1,203	$2,695
0	1	1	$1,596	$1,027	$2,623
1	1	0	$1,524	$1,115	$2,639
1	0	1	$1,564	$1,115	$2,679
0	0	3	$2,062	$1,515	$3,577
0	3	0	$1,943	$1,515	$3,458
3	0	0	$1,846	$1,779	$3,626
0	1	2	$2,023	$1,515	$3,538
1	0	2	$1,990	$1,603	$3,594
1	2	0	$1,911	$1,603	$3,514
0	2	1	$1,983	$1,515	$3,498
2	0	1	$1,918	$1,691	$3,610
2	1	0	$1,879	$1,691	$3,570
1	1	1	$1,951	$1,603	$3,554

Income Exemptions 

The Manitoba EIA makes sure that beneficiaries are allowed to work while still receiving the EIA benefits. The beneficiaries are also allowed to keep the income they earn up to a certain amount without the income affecting the EIA assistance amount they receive.

However, the following exemptions are made concerning your earnings:

• You will be allowed to keep the first $200 you earn on a job.
• You will also be allowed to keep 30% of your earnings above $200 before your EIA benefits are decreased.

You will receive an Income Declaration Statement form by mail every month. You will have to fill out the form after you receive your last pay for the month and attach your original pay stubs and receipts for the child care payments you receive, then mail the completed form and the payment receipts to the address on the form.

Once the information has been reviewed, the amount you'll receive in EIA benefits will be determined.

How To Apply For The Manitoba EIA Program

If you live in Manitoba, you may apply for the EIA program here.

However, before you fill out an application, you may have to undergo a Pre-Intake Orientation or PIO.

During your PIO, you'll learn everything about the Manitoba EIA program from EIA staff. You will also be informed of the documents and information needed to apply for the EIA and the Rent Assist program.

Your application for the EIA will determine your Rent Assist eligibility if you have shelter-related expenses. If you are found eligible, you will receive your Rent Assist payments and your EIA payment as one benefit payment.

Once you are done with your Pre-Intake Orientation, the EIA staff will schedule an intake appointment to help you complete the EIA application.

You can also check out the EIA Pre-Intake Orientation Checklist to learn which documents you'll need to bring to your intake appointment.

If you are married or have a common-law partner, you and your partner or spouse must apply for the EIA together.

To get more information on the EIA application process or to schedule an intake appointment, you can call any of the following numbers:

• 204-948-4700 if you live in Winnipeg.
• 1-855-944-8111 (toll-free) if you live outside Winnipeg.
• 800-855-0511 (TTS) if you are deaf or have a hearing impairment.

If you live in Winnipeg, you can find a local EIA office here.

If you live outside Winnipeg, you can find a local EIA office here.

For inquiries or any emergency support outside business hours, call 204-945-0183, if you are in Winnipeg or 1-866-559-6778 (toll-free) if you're not.

Manitoba Rent Assist

The Rent Assist program is designed to provide financial assistance to beneficiaries of the EIA who have shelter-related problems or expenses they need to cover. The program can also enable individuals to transition into job training and get a job.

Recipients will receive their combined Rent Assist and EIA benefit payments, depending on their personal circumstances.

The Rent Assist program provides coverage to:

• Manitoba residents who are beneficiaries of the EIA and have shelter-related expenses that need coverage
• Low-income earning Manitoba residents renting or living in a room and border arrangement in unsubsidized housing and need assistance to cover the costs of rent or room and board fees

The maximum benefit amount you may be eligible to receive for Rent Assist is 75% of the average cost of the rent.

Eligibility

If you are not an EIA beneficiary, you may be eligible for the Rent Assist program if you: 

• Are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
• Pay for rent or room and board in unsubsidized housing
• Are single and have an annual income of less than $24,640 or less than $28,040 if you are single, are 55 years or older, or receive the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) or Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) benefits
• Have a combined income of $31,440 for two people, $39,630 for three or four people, and $49,440 for five or more people
• Have dependent children in your care and have an annual income of less than $39,680 for two to four people or $49,440 for five or more people

If you are not an EIA recipient, you may not be eligible for the Rent Assist program if:

• You rent your home from Manitoba Housing
• You or your residential unit receives other housing subsidies or benefits
• You reside on a First Nations reserve
• You reside in a nursing home, approved hospital, or home care facility
• You reside in a student housing unit

Other Financial Assistance Programs In Manitoba

Low-income earners may also receive other financial assistance programs issued by the Department of Families in Manitoba. These include:

Manitoba Child Benefit

This benefit is available to individuals with children or dependents that are less than 18 years old and already receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB).

The maximum Manitoba Child Benefit payment you may be eligible to receive is $35 per month or $420 per year for each child or dependent.

Manitoba Child Care Subsidy

This benefit payment is offered to families or individuals who have children that are 12 weeks old to 12 years old, who are under licensed early learning and who attend child care centers.

The payment amount provides coverage for part of the fees paid. The amount you may be eligible to receive depends on a slew of factors, such as income and the number of eligible children in your care.

Manitoba Social Housing Rental Program

This benefit program is offered by Manitoba Housing to eligible low-income earning Manitoba residents. The payment is a subsidized housing rate, the difference between the market unit rates and the amount the individuals pay for the units.

Children's Opti-Care Program

This benefit payment is offered to children and covers the costs of eyeglasses for children who receive the Manitoba Child Benefit.

The benefit amount is up to $84 per year for each child. However, children with special needs may receive higher amounts.

Manitoba 55 PLUS Program

This is a quarterly benefit payment available to low-income earning seniors in Manitoba who are 55 years or older.

If you are single, you may receive a maximum benefit amount of $161.80 or a maximum amount of $173.90 each for yourself and your spouse or common-law partner.

In Summary

If you are a low-income earning Manitoba resident, you may be eligible to receive the EIA. The EIA offers financial support to Manitobans to help them meet the costs of basic living essentials. Suppose you are looking for a job or want to be self-employed. In that case, the Manitoba EIA Employment Assistance offers support through job training and financial aid to help you transition easily into a new job. Individuals living with one disability or another may also receive several health benefits as well as financial assistance, enabling them to offset living costs. Manitoba residents with shelter-related issues may also receive relief from the Rent Assist program.

FAQs On Manitoba EIA Payment Dates 2023

Do you have to pay back EIA?

Yes, you may have to pay back EIA if you received any overpayments. If you owe the EIA any overpaid amounts, you may either repay the amount, or the EIA may reduce your monthly benefit payment to cover the amount you owe. If the overpaid amount is large, the EIA may set about retrieving the overpaid balance through the CRA's Refund Set-Off Program or by placing a lien on any of your assets until the debt is paid.

Is EIA taxable in Manitoba?

No, the EIA benefit payment is not taxable, and you do not have to include it as income when filing your income tax returns for the year.

How will I receive my EIA payments?

You will receive your EIA payments by direct deposit because it is reliable and secure. Hence, you are informed to bring your banking information to your Pre-Intake appointment.