Family Benefits in Manitoba

Manitoba is a place of natural beauty that features clean, secure, and pleasant towns and cities that provide you with a relaxing and rewarding lifestyle. The Canadian province boasts of one of Canada's most robust and most diverse economies, with a low cost of living and plenty of chances for great jobs, education, and entrepreneurship.

However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, many families within the province are experiencing financial hardships in covering expenses. Luckily, the Provincial Government of Manitoba has put in place several family welfare and benefit programs through the administration of the Department of Families. This comprehensive guide will discuss available family benefits programs in Manitoba, how to qualify, and how to use them.

Family Benefits Programs in Manitoba

The Provincial Government of Manitoba provides a comprehensive financial aid program for underprivileged persons and groups. Examples of these groups include families facing financial difficulties, whether they have children or not. Furthermore, some welfare programs are available to families and people inside the family unit.

Below is a rundown of five of Manitoba's most well-known and acclaimed family welfare and support programs:

1. Employment and Income Assistance (EIA): It offers financial help to Manitobans who cannot sustain themselves or their families in any other manner.
2. Manitoba Child Benefit (MCB): It offers financial aid to low-income parents who do not qualify for EIA to help with the costs of raising their children.
3. Child Care Subsidy Program: offers financial assistance to qualifying families for child care costs for children aged 12 weeks to 12 years who attend registered early learning and child care homes or centres.
4. Children Disability Services Program: supports families caring for one or more children with physical and developmental impairments by helping them fulfil some of their unique needs.
5. Manitoba Housing- Social Housing Program: Offers low-income Manitoban families and other individuals who are most in need with subsidized and high-quality housing options.

By following the links above, you can learn more about any of these family benefit programs. The section below provides you with a more comprehensive look at Manitoba's five family welfare programs.

Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) Program

As mentioned earlier, Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) is a social assistance program from the Government of Manitoba that gives financial support to persons in need who have no other means of income. It covers various expenses, including housing, employment assistance, and medical supplies for individuals who can work. In some cases, the EIA benefits may also include Rent Assist, which helps cover rent and other household utility costs to those receiving EIA benefits and other low-income tenants in Manitoba.

The EIA program consists of three categories: 

• EIA for single-parent families,
• EIA for people with disabilities,
• EIA for general help, available to individuals who meet the strict criteria

Eligible applicants can take advantage of a slew of benefits through the EIA program. The amount received by applicants depends on family size, other incomes, and the applicant's category. Below is a quick breakdown of what each type entails and the available amount.

As the name suggests, the Manitoba EIA Single Parents category refers to single parents without a common-law partner or spouse. Persons who qualify for this category are those who:

• Are residents in Manitoba and 18 years or older
• Seven to nine months pregnant or have custody of one or more children under the age of 18 years
• Meet the low-income eligibility criteria
• Separated, divorced, widowed, unmarried, or have a partner in prison

Single persons without a child can receive up to $948 in basic assistance from the EIA program. On the other hand, those with one child are eligible to receive up to $1,901 every month. The table below shows a quick rundown of how much you can expect as a single parent. The amount is calculated depending on the number of children and their age.

Regarding Persons with Disabilities, the EIA program provides financial support to individuals who have a mental or physical condition that will last for more than 90 days and prevent them from earning. The financial aid will help cover basic needs and some ongoing medical treatments expenses. Thus, an individual can receive up to $1,093 and $1,418 for two people without a child. The amount increases depending on the number of dependent children.

The Manitoba EIA General Assistance category is for any individual who does not fall for any other categories under this program. The amount received by persons in this category depends on their needs, including their dependents. A single person without dependents or disability in the Manitoba EIA General Assistance category can receive a maximum of $ 796, while a couple with no children can get up to $1,104.

The table below contains a quick rundown of other benefits available under the EIA program.

Manitoba Child Benefit (MCB) Program

Low-income earning Manitobans with dependent children can receive monthly assistance through the Manitoba Child Benefit. The program also gives parents financial aid to help with part of their children's prescription eyewear costs under the Children's Opti-Care Program.

Low-income families with children who need eyewear may be eligible for up to $84.00 a month for each child. However, they must not be recipients of the EIA program unless they only receive benefits from the Manitoba EIA health services program. If the child has special vision needs, applicants may expect more.

When it comes to MCB program benefits, each child in a low-income family qualifies for a maximum tax-free amount of $420 annually. This amounts to $1,260 for a single parent with three children who works full or part-time and earns $15,000 or less, with partial benefits for parents earning $15,000 to $20,000.

Child Care Subsidy Program

The Child Care Subsidy Program offers approved families financial assistance to aid with the expense of child care by cutting child care costs for children aged 12 weeks to 12 years. Take note that foster agencies can also apply for this program. The eligibility of applicants depends on several variables:

• Number of days required for care
• Income
• Number and age of children
• Reason for care

Application

Before completing a subsidy application, applicants must first use the subsidy eligibility estimator (SEE), which determines whether they qualify for a subsidy and the amount they may be eligible for. The amount depends on the number of school-age children you have, infants present in a household, and the number of preschool-going children.

Once the estimator deems you eligible, you can proceed to fill in the subsidy application online, but you must first register. After registering, you will receive a password and username, and you can review your application for a maximum of 30 days.

Benefits

Families may be eligible for a full or partial child care subsidy depending on family composition, net household income, and the number and age of children receiving care. Nevertheless, a family receiving child care subsidies pays the non-subsidized share of parent fees. For fully subsidized families is $2.00 per day and for partially funded families is between $2.00 and the regulated maximum daily parent costs.

A full subsidy will be available to households with an average net income of $23,883 to $37,116, while a half subsidy would be available to those with an average net income of $37,542 to $82,877.

Children Disability Services Program

As mentioned earlier, the Children Disability Services (CDS) program was designed to help families parenting a child (or children) with physical and developmental disabilities by meeting some of their unique requirements. The social assistance program administered by the Manitoba Department of Families provides parents with a range of services and support to enable them to care for their children at home in their communities, where they may develop and flourish.

Eligibility

The CDS program is only available to children under 18 years living with a disability. These children must prove that they live with their birth or adoptive parents or extended families. Applicants must also prove a medical diagnosis confirming one or more of the following conditions:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• Intellectual disability
• Lifelong physical disability
• Developmental delay
• A pre-existing ailment that creates a substantial risk of developmental delay

Application

Eligible applicants can apply for this program by downloading and completing the Referral and Intake Application Form. Such applicants must also submit a medical report or diagnostic assessment along with the application form to the regional Children Disability Services office in your locality.

Qualifying applicants may also be referred to the Children Disability Services by daycares, schools, and medical professionals. However, they still need to fill in the form and submit the medical report or diagnosis proving that they have a diagnosable disability.

Suppose your child is eligible for the program. In that case, a worker from Children's Disability Services will meet with you and your family to assess your situation and speak about your needs, objectives, and concerns regarding care. The worker will advise you about resources available through the program and other organizations such as child care centres, learning institutions, and volunteer groups.

The worker can also assist you in obtaining the assistance you require, and as long as your child qualifies for the program, a worker may stay involved until your child reaches the age of 18 or until you no longer require these services.

Benefits

The CDS program's healthcare benefits include free and low-cost access to expert physical or developmental disability consultants. These professionals can assess a person with a disability and provide recommendations for effective support regimens.

Alternatively, beneficiaries of the program can also receive cash benefits to help impaired people and their families meet unmet needs. The amount of financial support provided depends on specific criteria, including the family's gross income and the severity of the ailment.

Manitoba Housing- Social Housing Rental Program

Manitoba Housing's primary and most prominent program is the Social Housing Rental Program (SHRP). The program offers subsidized housing to low-income Manitobans who are most in need. Individuals, families, and seniors can choose from a variety of high-quality housing options, including apartments, townhouses, duplexes, and single-family homes.

Benefits

Among the benefits available under the Social Housing Rental Program (SHRP) include:

• Low-income families in desperate need of housing get adequate, affordable, and quality housing
• Access to the Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) support. RGI is a subsidy that refers to the difference between the market rent of the unit and rent paid by the tenant. The rent payable depends on a percentage of their total gross household income.
• The applicant gets to pay rent on a quality unit that is calculated as a percentage of income and does not exceed the CMHC's affordability standard.
• Assists in achieving a successful tenancy and, when necessary, transitioning to alternative housing choices

Eligibility

Persons who can apply for this program must fulfil specific criteria. These include:

• Must be in desperate need of housing
• Must be a Canadian citizen, a refugee claimant, permanent resident, or have legal authorization to live and/or work within the borders of Canada
• Where appropriate, have a total adjusted family income at or below Manitoba Housing's Social Housing Rental Program Income Limits, which are $63,450 for households without children and $84,600 for households with dependents or children.

Take note that every applicant in the program must provide information to prove eligibility every year to remain eligible.

Application

The application process of this program begins with the applicants selecting the area of choice where they would like to live. It is advisable to choose multiple places as it increases the chances of the applicant receiving a unit offer from one of their preferred locations. However, the duration in which an applicant waits for a unit offer depends on the unit size, area of choice, and housing need. Applicants with the highest need are often a priority.

After choosing where you would prefer to live, download and complete the application form with accurate details. Print out the application and deliver it in person or by mail to any Manitoba Housing Office. If you cannot print out the application form, you can pick up a copy from the Manitoba Housing Office or request a paper copy to be mailed to you via the online request form.

How to Apply for Family Benefits in Manitoba

The application procedure for family benefits differs based on the benefits program and the kind of benefits. As previously said, you may go to each of the programs' official sites to discover everything there is to know about them, including how the application process works. The following is a broad summary of the application criteria and channels for the various social assistance programs.

Application Requirements

Most benefit programs require the following documentation and information from applicants:

• A valid Social Insurance Number
• A  Direct Deposit Authorization form with accurate details
• Basic information about your spouse or companion
• Basic information about your children
• Details about your wages and all of your financial assets, such as stocks, investments, and funds in the bank
• Information about any bank account held in your name, whether individual or joint bank account
• Information about your belongings, including substantial assets like houses and automobiles 
• Documents like a rental agreement that can be used to validate your living circumstances
• Details on any benefits accessible to you

It is vital to note that applicants have 30 days from the day of submitting their application to provide these and any other essential information and documentation. To prevent being disqualified, make sure you accurately supply all needed information and documentation.

Modes of Application

Each family benefits program has its distinct application process. Below is a brief rundown of the most common modes of application.

Application via Mail

To apply by mail, you must first download the application form as a hardcopy printout and submit it to the appropriate program via mail. The form should be completed accurately and adequately for easier and faster processing. It is worth mentioning that mail-in applications might take several days, weeks, or longer to process than online applications.

Online Applications

Every family support program in Canada has a fully working website where users may access information and submit applications. The above list of family benefits programs includes links to each program.

• The online application procedure differs depending on which benefits program you apply for. Most web applications, on the other hand, have a few features in common, including:
• Registering an account — You must set up an account under your identity using your personal information for the software to identify you.
• Completing the application form - the software will ask you to complete one or more application forms with information about yourself, your situation, and your family.
• Sending your application - many programs will reject your application if it is incomplete.

Many benefit programs will also allow you to track and monitor the progress of your application. It is critical to keep your login credentials safe since you will need them in the future to log in to your online accounts.

Eligibility Requirements for Family Benefits in Manitoba

The following are the standard eligibility requirements for Manitoba's family benefits.

1. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or have permanent residency (refugees must show proof of legal refugee status)
2. Must reside in Manitoba
3. Must be at least 18 years old
4. Must be working a low-income job or unemployed

Before submitting an application, all programs encourage their applicants to explore all available options. You can, however, profit from many programs at the same time, but there is a requirement to list all government benefits you receive on your application form.

Conclusion

The ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic has made it very difficult for low-income families to cover their expenses. Fortunately, the Government of Manitoba offers several varied family benefit programs to support such families financially. The programs listed in this guide are the most accessible to Manitoban families. You can find more information about family benefits in Manitoba on the Government's official webpage. If, for any reason, the resources listed here aren't available in a timely fashion and you still need a little extra cash to get through the month then you can apply for loans in Manitoba with us. Borrow up to $1,500 and get the funds delivered by Interac e-Transfer 24/7.