Manitoba Employment and Income Assistance (EIA): amounts and how it works

What EIA is

Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) gives money to Manitobans who have no other way to support themselves or their family, and helps those who can work to get back to work. It has categories. This guide covers General Assistance (ages 18 to 64, no disability, single, couple or two-parent family without a disability) and Persons with Disabilities.

EIA works together with Rent Assist, a Manitoba benefit that helps with rent, utilities and fuel. The monthly figures below combine EIA and Rent Assist.

Who qualifies

• Live in Manitoba and be 18 or older (General Assistance: 18 to 64).
• Be in financial need: the cost of your monthly basic needs and housing is more than your total financial resources (income and assets).
• The basic needs amount depends on the size of your family, the ages of the people in it, their relationships, and some ongoing medical needs.
• Persons with Disabilities: you must meet the criteria for enrolment as a person with disabilities.

What does not count as income

• Part of your earnings (see below).
• Occasional gifts up to $100 per person.
• The Canada Child Benefit, tax credit refunds, foster-home payments, part of rent or board paid to you.
• Persons with Disabilities: ongoing cash help from family or friends up to $500 a month.

Assets you may keep

• Liquid assets (money in the bank and similar) up to $4,000 per person, to a maximum of $16,000 per family.
• Children's trust funds up to $40,000.

How much you get (July 2026)

Total monthly tax-free income for a person without children, including the federal benefits that come with it (GST credit):

• Families with children receive much more because the Canada Child Benefit is added: for example a single adult with one child 12 to 17 years old is shown at $2,445 a month in total on the official table.
• Persons with Disabilities also get $105 a month per adult (Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities).
• People living in Northern Manitoba receive a Northern Allowance for the higher cost of goods.
• You decide how to spend the total on food, clothing, personal needs, household supplies and shelter. Rent Assist may also pay actual utilities (water, hydro, fuel) if they are not in your rent.

What happens when you work

The program is designed so you always have more money when you work. You keep the first $200 of your net monthly earnings, plus 30% of anything you earn above $200, before your benefits are reduced.

Worked example

You earn $800 net in a month: exempt = $200 + 30% × ($800 − $200) = $380. Only $420 is deducted from your benefit, so you are $380 better off than if you did not work.

Each month an Income Declaration Statement is mailed to you. After your last pay of the month, fill it out and send it with your original pay stubs and any child care receipts.

When you leave EIA for work or for training, the Rewarding Work Health Plan gives prescription drug, dental and optical benefits for up to two years to eligible General Assistance clients and their children.

How to apply

1. Call your local EIA office: 204-948-4000 in Winnipeg or toll-free 1-855-944-8111 (Manitoba Relay Service 1-800-855-0511).
2. Staff explain what you may get and what documents to bring. Most participants must look for work; staff help you set an action plan.
3. Benefits are paid by direct deposit.

After-hours emergency (a crisis that cannot wait): 204-945-0183 in Winnipeg, or 1-866-559-6778 toll-free.

Good to know

• If you have a work expectation and do not look for work or follow your action plan, your benefits can be affected. Tell staff if your situation changes or the plan does not work for you.
• If you can pay for living costs but not for your health needs, you may be eligible for help with health care costs only.
• The Rent Assist estimator on the Manitoba website gives a quick idea of your amount.