Manitoba Family Services and Consumer Affairs

Manitoba Shelter Benefit for Families

Financial assistance, of up to $210 per month, is available to eligible families who rent their living accommodation in the private market and who are required to spend a large portion of their income on rent. The amount of the benefit depends on household income and the monthly cost of renting.

In order to be considered for the MSB for Families, more than 25 per cent of household income must be spent on rent and the applicant must:

• have one or more dependents under 18 and receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit; and
• be a renter in Manitoba; and
• be a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant or refugee claimant; and
• be in a two person family (one parent/guardian with one child) with an annual household income of $23,256 or less; or
• be in a three person family (one parent/guardian with two children or two parents/guardians with one child) with an annual household income of $25,128 or less; or
• be in a four or more person family (one parent/guardian with three or more children or two parents/guardians with two or more children) with an annual household income of $26,136 or less.

If you rent from Manitoba Housing, or receive another type of housing benefit, or receive Employment and Income Assistance, you are not eligible for the MSB for Families.

You can:

• Print off a Family Application form (PDF 94 KB) and a Direct Deposit Enrolment Form (PDF 42 KB) and send to Provincial Services
• Pick-up an application at the Provincial Services address listed below
• Contact Provincial Services to request for an application

Before you send in your application, use the Application Checklist (PDF 36 KB) to make sure you have all the required information.