Employment and Income Assistance Facts for Persons with Disabilities

Employment Income and Your Benefits

Starting a Job

When you start a job, it is important to tell your Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) worker about the job, including:

• start date
• how many hours per week you will work
• location of your work
• amount of your pay, and
• cost of child care per day, if needed

You will need to report your income to your worker prior to receiving your scheduled EIA benefits. You will also need to submit your pay stubs and child care receipts, if applicable. An Income Declaration Statement will be mailed to you each month. Fill it out and return it to your worker after you get your last pay cheque of the month.

If you live in Winnipeg, see the Telephone Income Reporting in Winnipeg page to learn how to report income by telephone, or ask your worker.

Earned Income Exemption

The first $200 that you earn plus 30% of your net earned income for the month will not affect your monthly income assistance benefits. Your income will always be higher if when you work than if you do not work.

Earned income of dependent children who are attending school and working, will not affect the monthly benefits of the family as long as the child is enrolled in and attending high school or another education or training program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Having a job means I have to pay for work clothes, transportation and child care. Does EIA help cover these costs?

Work clothing - EIA will add an extra $23.90 to your budget if you work more than 10 days or more than 80 hours per month. EIA will add an extra $11.95 to your budget if you work less than 80 hours per month.  

Transportation - EIA pays for the full cost of a monthly bus pass if you work 10 days or 80 hours per month or more. EIA pays for half the cost of a monthly bus pass if you work less than 80 hours per month. If public transportation is not available, talk to your worker about your transportation needs.

Child care –EIA participants may receive subsidized  child care at a cost of $2 per day per child. EIA will provide you with $1 per day per child for child care and you will be required to pay the additional $1 per day. You must submit to EIA your receipts which show the number of days and cost per day of child care. For more information about child care costs while enrolled on EIA, please see the EIA Fact Page on Child Care.

Why have my EIA cheques stopped?

When your earnings are high enough to meet your needs, you will no longer receive income assistance. You should continue to report your income, as you may be eligible for some continued support after leaving EIA for work, such as health benefits or help with rent.  

What benefits are available after leaving EIA to support the transition to work?

Get Started! – provides you with a single payment when you leave income assistance for work to help cover the work related expenses. The amount of the benefit is $325 for persons with disabilities.

Rewarding Work Health Plan – single parents and persons with disabilities may receive health benefits, including drug, dental, and optical benefits, for 24 months after leaving EIA for work.

RentAid – persons with disabilities who live on low income and pay more than 25% of income on rent may be eligible to receive a supplement to help pay for rent. For information about RentAid, please see the MSB web page.

What if I need help in the future to meet my needs?

If you leave your job, or are not earning enough money to cover your living costs, or have an unexpected medical expense, call your last EIA worker. If your medical review date has not expired, you will not need another medical assessment to re-enroll. If you qualify for EIA, your worker will ensure that you are re-enrolled as quickly as possible.