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Getting help with costs in your region

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If you are sick or having trouble finding a job, you may need help paying for food, rent or medicine. There are different programs that can help you with some of these costs. Income assistance, also sometimes called financial assistance or social assistance, is for people who need help paying for these basic needs. If you apply for income assistance, you may want to talk to your case worker about your health and money concerns so they can get you the most help possible.

 
Programs in Manitoba

Employment and Income Assistance (EIA)

In Manitoba, you can apply for Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) if you need help paying for basic needs such as food, clothing, rent and medicine. The amount of money you can get every month depends on things like how much money you make, the size of your family and the amount of money you need to pay for your health needs. Health needs include things like prescription drugs and transportation to your medical appointments. If you have enough money to pay for your food, rent and clothing and you only need money to pay for your health needs, you can still apply for EIA to help with these costs. You can contact your local EIA intake office to apply for EIA.

If you need help with either finding a job or getting education and skills training so you can apply for a job, you can ask about this service when you apply for EIA. 

If you have a disability and you get EIA, you can apply for Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities. Your chronic hepatitis C symptoms may or may not be considered a disability by this program. If your application is approved, you will get extra money, called an automatic allowance, on top of your monthly EIA cheque. You may also be able to get help with paying for things like renting a phone, transportation, laundry and job training so you can find work. You can talk with your case worker to find out if you can apply for these benefits.

If your application for EIA is turned down or you think that the amount of your monthly cheque is wrong, you have the right to challenge the decision by making an appeal. An appeal can be made by contacting the Social Services Appeal Board in Winnipeg at 1-800-282-8069 or TTY (204) 948-2037.

 
Programs in Canada

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

If you’ve worked before in Canada, your employer probably made deductions on your paycheque for Employment Insurance (EI) and CPP. When you retire (usually when you’re 65) you can collect CPP but CPP also has a disability program for people who can’t work because they’re sick.

Programs in Canada

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

If you've worked before in Canada, your employer probably made deductions on your paycheque for Employment Insurance (EI) and CPP. When you retire (usually when you're 65) you can collect CPP but CPP also has a disability program for people who can't work because they're sick. Click here for more information on how to apply for CPP Disability and remember you have the right to appeal if they say you don't qualify.

Employment Insurance (EI)

EI is a program for people who have stopped working because they were laid off (EI Regular Benefits), had a baby (EI Maternity and Parental Benefits) or are too sick to work (EI Sick Benefits). EI payments cover a shorter period of time and it's for people who have had a job in the last year or so.

Jobs with Benefits

Some jobs come with sick pay or disability benefits that can pay you if you have to stop working. You can ask your Human Resources (HR) department what coverage you have at work. You can also ask about Employment Assistance Programs (EAPs) which help people with short-term counselling or referrals.

Published 2010.