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Employment and Income Assistance Administrative Manual Manitoba Family Services and Housing
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Family Services and Housing: Employment and Income Assistance Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
How to Use the Manual
Inquiries about the Manual
Service Information
Office Locations

SECTION 1 – THE EIA ACT

1.1The Employment and Income Assistance Act

SECTION 2 – THE EIA REGULATION

2.1 Employment and Income Assistance Regulation

SECTION 3 – SA for 65 YEARS AND OVER REGULATION

3.1 Social Allowances for Certain Persons 65 Years Old and Over Regulation

SECTION 4 – CRISP REGULATION

4.1 Child Related Income Support Program Regulation

SECTION 5 – 55 PLUS NOT ELIGIBLE and 55 PLUS ELIGIBLE

5.1 55 PLUS – A Manitoba Income Supplement For Persons Not Eligible For Old Age Security Benefits Regulation
5.2 55 PLUS – A Manitoba Income Supplement For Persons Eligible For Old Age Security Benefits Regulation

SECTION 6 - GRANTING ASSISTANCE

6.1 Purpose of Employment and Income Assistance and Intake
6.1.1 Purpose of Employment and Income Assistance
6.1.2 Participant Intake and Determination of Eligibility
6.1.3 Initial Contact
6.1.4 Categorical and Financial Eligibility
6.1.5 Determining Categorical Eligibility
6.1.6 Registration Process
6.1.7 Immediate Assistance
6.1.8 Employment Expectations

6.2 Pre-Intake Orientation
6.2.1 Purpose of the Pre-Intake Orientation
6.2.2 Who Should Attend the Pre-Intake Orientation
6.2.3 Information Provided at the Pre-Intake Orientation Session
6.2.4 The Pre-Intake Orientation Package
6.2.5 Content of Information and Application Package
6.2.6 The EIA Application Form, Including the Personal Job Plan
6.2.7 Tasks Assigned at Pre-Intake Orientations

6.3 Employment History and Personal Job Plan
6.3.1 Employment History and Personal Job Plan
6.3.2 The Personal Job Plan
6.3.3 Employability Assessment
6.3.4 Completion of the Form
6.3.5 Who is Subject to Employment Expectations?
6.3.6 Transition to Employment Expectations
6.3.7 Deferral of Employment Expectations

6.4 The Application Process
6.4.1 The Application Form
6.4.2 Application Form Completion
6.4.3 Remote Communities - Intake and Application Form Completion
6.4.4 Applications the May Require Additional Information or Additional Steps in the Application Process
6.4.5 Circumstances that May Alter the Usual Application Process
6.4.6 Applications that May Not Occur at the Centralized Intake Office
6.4.7 Review of Application Form and Any Tasks Assigned at the Pre-Intake Orientation
6.4.8 The On-Line Application in Winnipeg
6.4.9 Applications that May Result in Denying Assistance
6.4.10 Verifying the Identity of Household Members
6.4.11 Choice of Applicant in Two-Adult Households
6.4.12 Application Renewal Form
6.4.13 Effective Date of Assistance
6.4.14 Issuing Assistance
6.4.15 Minimum Amount of Assistance

6.5 Employment Expectations
6.5.1 Applicants' Employment Histories, Skills and Personal Job Plans
6.5.2 Developing an Action Plan
6.5.3 Deferring Employment Expectations
6.5.4 Obligation not to Terminate Work Unreasonably or Refuse Reasonable Work
6.5.5 The Family Maintenance Plan
6.5.6 Participant Service Needs Assessments
6.5.7 EIA Enrollment Letters in Winnipeg

6.6 Reporting and Monitoring
6.6.1 Reporting and Monitoring - Legislative Authority
6.6.2 Reporting
6.6.3 Monitoring

6.7 Review and Adjustment
6.7.1 Annual Review
6.7.2 Consequences of Not Completing the Annual Review Form
6.7.3 Consequences of Not Following the Personal Job Plan
6.7.4 Reinstatement of Assistance
6.7.5 Instituting Remedial Measures
6.7.6 Progression Through Remedial Measures
6.7.7 Home Visits
6.7.8 File Reviews by Directors or Designates
6.7.9 Persons Turning 65 Years of Age
6.7.10 Changes in Family Size
6.7.11 Participant Leaves the Province
6.7.12 Participant is Hospitalized
6.7.13 Participant Dies

6.8 Financial Resources
6.8.1 Confirmation of Financial Resources
6.8.2 Bank Account Confirmation
6.8.3 Verifying Shelter Information
6.8.4 Confirmation and Consideration of Liquid Assets
6.8.5 Confirmation of Trust Income and Assets
6.8.6 Real Property
6.8.7 Personal Property
6.8.8 Excess Assets
6.8.9 Applying Resources to Needs
6.8.10 Property Sold, Transferred or Assigned Within Five Years of Application
6.8.11 Unearned Income
6.8.12 Treatment of Earned Income at Application
6.8.13 Minimum Cash Grants
6.8.14 Applicants' Debts
6.8.15 Obligation to Pursue and Assign Benefits Potentially Available Under Other Acts or Programs
6.8.16 Application for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Benefits
6.8.17 (deleted)
6.8.18 CRISP and 55 Plus Benefits

6.9 Signing the Application
6.9.1 Printing the EIA Application and Action Plan
6.9.2 Reviewing and Signing the EIA Application and Action Plan
6.9.3 Legal Aspects of the EIA Application

6.10 Appeals
6.10.1 Denying Income Assistance
6.10.2 Discontinuing, Reducing, Suspending or Increasing Income Assistance
6.10.3 Preview of Appeal Notices
6.10.4 Preparation for Appeal Hearings
6.10.5 Attendance at Hearings and Participation of Legal Counsel
6.10.6 Disclosure of Appeal Documentation
6.10.7 Decisions of the Social Services Appeal Board and Requests for Reconsideration of Decisions
6.10.8 Requests for Review of the Social Services Appeal Board Decision
6.10.9 Extension of the Time Limit for Filing an Appeal

6.11 Educational Assistance
6.11.1 Legislative Authority
6.11.2 Approval of Educational Costs - Educational Special Needs
6.11.3 Full-Time and Part-Time Study
6.11.4 Residency
6.11.5 Secondary Studies
6.11.6 Correspondence Courses
6.11.7 Post-Secondary Studies
6.11.8 Satisfactory Attendance and Progress Standards
6.11.9 Persons in Default of a Student Loan
6.11.10 Dependants and 5(1)(f) Cases Attending School Who Will Turn 18 During the School Year
6.11.11 Child Care
6.11.12 Moving Costs
6.11.13 Overpayments
6.11.14 Resources
6.11.15 Training Allowances
6.11.16 Vocational Rehabilitation Program
6.11.17 Enhanced Education Policy
6.11.18 Post-Secondary Institutions Eligible For Student Aid
6.11.19 Pre-Employment, Job Readiness and Skills Training Programs
6.11.20 General Assistance Participants

6.12 Investigations
6.12.1 Investigations
6.12.2 Lost or Stolen Cheques or Vouchers
6.12.3 Returned Assistance Cheques

6.13 Participant Transfers
6.13.1 Transfer of Participant Files
6.13.2 Participant File Transfer Requirements

6.14 Confidentiality and Access to Information
6.14.1 Confidentiality (Access to Information)
6.14.2 The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
6.14.3 Relatives of Staff Members
6.14.4 Interprovincial Moves

6.15 Legal Aid
6.15.1 Legal Aid

6.16 Winnipeg
6.16.1 Purpose of Pre-Intake Orientations in Winnipeg
6.16.2 Information Provided at Pre-Intake Orientations in Winnipeg
6.16.3 Tasks Assigned at Pre-Intake Orientations in Winnipeg
6.16.4 Applicants' Employment Histories, Skills and Personal Job Plans in Winnipeg
6.16.5 Who is Subject to Employment Expectations in Winnipeg
6.16.6 Deferral of Employment Expectations in Winnipeg
6.16.7 Participant Service Needs Assessments in Winnipeg
6.16.8 Assigning a Case Coordinator in Winnipeg

SECTION 7 - PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

7.1 Persons with Disabilities
7.1.1 Definition and Legislative Authority
7.1.2 Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (IAPD)
7.1.3 Persons Over 55 Lacking in Employment Capabilities
7.1.4 Assistance During Pregnancy
7.1.5 Medical Assessment Procedure
7.1.6 Medical Assessment Panel
7.1.7 Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)
7.1.8 School Supplies and Transportation Costs for Persons with Disabilities Attending High School

SECTION 8 - ASSISTANCE TO SINGLE PARENTS AND CHILDREN

8.1 Eligibility
8.1.1 Single Parents Assistance - Legislative Authority
8.1.2 Legal Guardian
8.1.3 Imprisonment
8.1.4 Common-Law Unions

8.2 Pregnancy
8.2.1 Assistance During Pregnancy
8.2.2 Post-Partum Assistance when Child is Relinquished

8.3 Minor Expectant Mothers and Minor Single Parents
8.3.1 Minor Expectant Mothers and Minor Single Parents

SECTION 9 - SPECIAL CASES (INCLUDING MINORS) AND CRISIS INTERVENTION FACILITIES

9.1 Special Cases (Including Minors)
9.1.1 Special Cases (Including Minors)

9.2 Minor Applicants
9.2.1 Minor Applicants
9.2.2 Medical Coverage for Minors
9.2.3 Employment Expectations for Minors

9.3 Crisis Intervention Facilities
9.3.1 Persons in Crisis Intervention Facilities
9.3.2 Assessing Resources
9.3.3 Assessing Needs
9.3.4 Payment Considerations
9.3.5 Employment Expectations

SECTION 10 - ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN 5(1)(F)

10.1 Children 5(1)(f)
10.1.1 Legislative Authority - Assistance to Children Under Section 5(1)(f)
10.1.2 Application
10.1.3 Eligibility
10.1.4 Function of Child Welfare Authority
10.1.5 Functions of Employment and Income Assistance
10.1.6 Authority to Enroll
10.1.7 Conflict Resolution
10.1.8 Rates Payable
10.1.9 Files
10.1.10 Children Who Are Not to be Considered For Enrollment

SECTION 11 - GENERAL ASSISTANCE

11.1 General Assistance
11.1.1 Definition and Legislative Authority
11.1.2 Financial Eligibility
11.1.3 Employment Expectations and Sanctions
11.1.4 Basic Assistance
11.1.5 Special Needs
11.1.6 Health Services

SECTION 12 - AGED; BLIND AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES; ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES

12.1 Aged
12.1.1 Aged
12.1.2 Health Services Eligibility for Persons 65 Years of Age or Over

12.2 (deleted)

12.3 Assistance to Children with Developmental Disabilities
12.3.1 Children's Special Services
12.3.2 Referrals to Supportive Services

SECTION 13 - TREATY INDIANS, NON-INDIANS ON RESERVES, IMMIGRANTS, RELIGIOUS ORDERS, PERSONS ON LEGAL STRIKE

13.1 Assistance to Treaty Indians
13.1.1 Assistance to Treaty Indians

13.2 Assistance to Non-Indians on Reserves
13.2.1 Non-Indians on Reserves
13.2.2 Non-Indian Children on Reserves

13.3 Assistance to Immigrants
13.3.1 Immigrants
13.3.2 Applications from Immigrants
13.3.3 Recovery of Assistance from Defaulting Sponsor of Immigrants

13.4 Religious Orders
13.4.1 Indigent Priests and Members of Religious Orders

13.5 Applicants and Participants Engaged in Legal Strike Action
13.5.1 Eligibility - Applicants Engaged in Legal Strike Action
13.5.2 Work Expectations - Participants Engaged in Legal Strike Action
13.5.3 Income Derived from Picket Duty
13.5.4 Provision of Assistance - Participants on Legal Strike Action

SECTION 14 - ASSETS

14.1 Real Property
14.1.1 Real Property - Legislative Authority and Definition
14.1.2 Allowable Real Property Assets
14.1.3 Excess Property Defined
14.1.4 Conversion of Excess Real Property
14.1.5 Real Property as a Revenue Source

14.2 Personal Property
14.2.1 Personal Property - Legislative Authority and Definition
14.2.2 Conditional Exemptions - Personal Property for Business Use
14.2.3 Excess Personal Property
14.2.4 Automobiles as Personal Property
14.2.5 Personal Property Transferred or Assigned Within the Last Five Years

14.3 Liquid Assets
14.3.1 Liquid Assets - Legislative Authority and Definition
14.3.2 Allowable Liquid Assets
14.3.3 Trust Funds
14.3.4 Potential Assets in Pending Settlements
14.3.5 Exempted Income (e.g. Tax Credits)

SECTION 15 - UNEARNED INCOME

15.1 Unearned Income General
15.1.1 Unearned Income
15.1.2 Common Sources of Unearned Income

15.2 Exemptions
15.2.1 Unearned Income to be Exempted From Resources
15.2.2 Treatment of Unearned Income at Application
15.2.3 Treatment of Unearned Income After Enrollment
15.2.4 Definition of Final and Ongoing Unearned Income
15.2.5 Treatment of Final Unearned Income
15.2.6 Treatment of Ongoing Unearned Income
15.2.7 Age of Majority Allowance
15.2.8 Lump Sum Payments - Liquid Asset Provisions
15.2.9 Deemed Income from Transferred or Assigned Property/Windfalls

15.3 Calculations
15.3.1 Income-In-Kind
15.3.2 Income from Benevolent Organizations
15.3.3 Children Operating Family Farm

15.4 Property Revenue
15.4.1 Legislative Authority
15.4.2 Attributing Income to Shared Property
15.4.3 Ineligible Children Living at Home
15.4.4 Board and Room Income
15.4.5 Income from Roomers or Rental of Partially Self-Contained Quarters
15.4.6 Rental Income from Self-Contained Quarters
15.4.7 Net Revenue from Excess Property

15.5 Benefit Schedules
15.5.1 Maximum Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Benefits
15.5.2 Maximum Monthly OAS/GIS Benefits
15.5.3 Maximum War Veterans Allowance Rates

15.6 Obligation to Pursue & Assign Benefits Potentially Available under other Acts or Programs
15.6.1 Assignment of Unearned Income - Legislative Authority
15.6.2 Policy
15.6.3 Obligation to Pursue Benefits Available Under Other Acts or Programs
15.6.4 Requirement for Assignment of Benefits
15.6.5 Agreement to Assign Benefits
15.6.6 Refusal to Assign Benefits

15.7 Spousal Maintenance and Child Support
15.7.1 Spousal Maintenance and Child Support Benefits
15.7.2 Waiving the Necessity to Seek Maintenance
15.7.3 Inadequate Agreements or Orders
15.7.4 Obtaining an Agreement or Order
15.7.5 Maintenance Income
15.7.6 Assignment of Maintenance to the Maintenance Enforcement Program
15.7.7 Refunding Maintenance Payments
15.7.8 Statements of Maintenance Received for Income Tax Purposes
15.7.9 The Child Welfare Act
15.7.10 Variation Applications by the Payer

SECTION 16 - EARNED INCOME

16.1 General Provisions
16.1.1 Earned Income
16.1.2 Employment Earnings
16.1.3 Self-Employment Earnings
16.1.4 Earning Exemptions - Legislative Authority
16.1.5 Declaration of Employment Income
16.1.6 Employment Situations Under the Auspices of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Living Programs
16.1.7 Income from Membership on Boards or Committees
16.1.8 Earnings Exemption for Dependent Children Attending School Full-Time
16.1.9 Earnings Exemption for Children Not Attending School Full-Time
16.1.10 Transition to Employment - Extended Health Services

16.2 Work Incentive for Persons with Disabilities and Aged Participants
16.2.1 Work Incentive for Persons with Disabilities and Aged Participants - Legislative Authority
16.2.2 Earnings Exemptions
16.2.3 (deleted)
16.2.4 Children's Summer Employment Income
16.2.5 Babysitting
16.2.6 Allowable Deductions
16.2.7 Allowable Expenses

16.3 Work Incentives for Other Participants
16.3.1 Legislative Authority
16.3.2 Earnings Exemption
16.3.3 Net Monthly Earnings
16.3.4 Allowable Expenses
16.3.5 Participants with More Than One Type of Earnings
16.3.6 Employment Programs
16.3.7 Exit Point

SECTION 17 - SELF-EMPLOYMENT INCOME

17.1 Small Business Income
17.1.1 Authority to Enroll Business Persons Without Equity
17.1.2 Authority to Enroll Business Persons With Equity
17.1.3 Net Business Income
17.1.4 Earning Exemption for Business Persons
17.1.5 Participants in Approved Self-Employment Programs

17.2 Farm Income
17.2.1 Maximum Net Farm Assets Allowable
17.2.2 Authority to Enroll
17.2.3 Testing Eligibility - Farmers
17.2.4 Gross Farm Income
17.2.5 Net Farm Income - Formula or Costs
17.2.6 Earning Exemption for Farmers
17.2.7 Refundability of Assistance to Farmers

17.3 Family Child Care Providers
17.3.1 Allowable Exemptions and Expenses for Family Child Care Providers

SECTION 18 - BASIC ASSISTANCE

18.1 Basic Assistance Rates
18.1.1 Basic Assistance Rates and Specific Item Guidelines
18.1.2 Deferred Items
18.1.3 Additional Amounts

18.2 Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities
18.2.1 Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities

18.3 Apportioned Assistance
18.3.1 Hospitals and Institutions
18.3.2 Board and Room
18.3.3 Residential Care Facilities, Chronic Care Facilities, Community Residences and Personal Care Homes
18.3.4 Pre-Added Aged Participants
18.3.5 (deleted)
18.3.6 Partial Assistance
18.3.7 Prescription Food Supplements
18.3.8 Subsidized Meals

18.4 Special Provisions
18.4.1 Northern Rates
18.4.2 Therapeutic Diets
18.4.3 Work Clothing Rates

SECTION 19 - SHELTER, UTILITIES AND FUEL

19.1 Shelter
19.1.1 Rental Guidelines
19.1.2 Rent Increases in Excess of Residential Tenancies Guidelines
19.1.3 Manitoba Housing Authority (MHA)
19.1.4 Rent Indirectly Subsidized by Government
19.1.5 Rent Directly Subsidized by Government
19.1.6 Confirming Rental Information
19.1.7 Rent Paid Directly to Landlords
19.1.8 Security Deposits
19.1.9 Shared Rent
19.1.10 Co-operative Share Purchases
19.1.11 Mortgage Payments
19.1.12 Net Property Taxes as a Basic Need
19.1.13 Property Taxes Included in Mortgage Payment
19.1.14 Property Taxes Not Included in Mortgage Payment
19.1.15 Savings Incurred from Pre-Payment of Taxes
19.1.16 Annual Tax Reconciliation and Case Closure
19.1.17 Tax Arrears
19.1.18 Tax Penalties
19.1.19 Minor Repairs
19.1.20 Major Repairs
19.1.21 Remote Housing Program (RHP)
19.1.22 House Insurance
19.1.23 Rural and Native Housing Program

19.2 Utilities and Fuel
19.2.1 Reconciliation of Estimated Utility Costs
19.2.2 Rental and Purchase of Essential Utility Appliances
19.2.3 Home Insulation Program
19.2.4 Critical Home Repair Program
19.2.5 Coin-Operated Laundry Rates

SECTION 20 - BOARD AND ROOM ALLOWANCES

20.1 Adults
20.1.1 Parent and Child Rates
20.1.2 Maternity Homes
20.1.3 Excess Board and Room Rates
20.1.4 Per Diem Charges in Personal Care Homes, Companion Care Homes, Palliative Care Hospices, Chronic Care Facilities, and Mental Health Centres
20.1.5 Rates for Participants in Personal Care Homes During a Temporary Absence from Placement
20.1.6 Temporary Absence from a Private Boarding Home
20.1.7 Respite Care
20.1.8 Absentee Provisions for Persons with Developmental Disabilities - In Residential Care Facilities
20.1.9 Levels of Care - Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness and Aged Infirm

20.2 Children
20.2.1 Children's Board and Room Rates
20.2.2 Definition of "Relative"
20.2.3 Part-Time Board Rates for Children
20.2.4 Institutional Rates for Children/Absentee Provisions

SECTION 21 -SPECIAL NEEDS

21.1 Special Needs
21.1.1 Special Needs - Legislative Authority
21.1.2 Eligible Households
21.1.3 Allowable Items
21.1.4 Authorization
21.1.5 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) Fees

21.2 Employment Special Needs
21.2.1 Work Expenses
21.2.2 Community Service Order / Fine Option Programs

21.3 Child Care Special Needs
21.3.1 Child Care Transportation and Daily Care Costs
21.3.2 Babysitting and Other Services Provided by Relatives

21.4 Disability Special Needs
21.4.1 Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (IAPD)

SECTION 22 - HEALTH NEEDS

22.1 Health Services Program
22.1.1 Health Services Program
22.1.2 Health Services Cards
22.1.3 Test of Need
22.1.4 General Assistance Participants
22.1.5 Participants with Alternative Health Coverage
22.1.6 Health Card Only
22.1.7 Single Grant
22.1.8 Health Services Only - Grandparented Participants
22.1.9 Hospital Patients
22.1.10 Personal Care Home Residents
22.1.11 Extended Health Services Benefits
22.1.12 Drug Purchases - Non-HS Card Holders
22.1.13 Prescription Drugs - Control Procedures
22.1.14 Chiropractic Treatment

22.2 Medical Services
22.2.1 Physicians' Fees
22.2.2 Out-of-Province Medical Costs
22.2.3 Extra Billings from Physicians
22.2.4 Out-of-Province Medical Premiums for New Arrivals to Manitoba

22.3 Transportation and Telephones for Health Reasons
22.3.1 Transportation - Health Reasons
22.3.2 Wheelchair Transportation - Medical and Related Activities
22.3.3 Emergency Health Transportation
22.3.4 Wheelchair Transportation - Social Services
22.3.5 City of Winnipeg Ambulance Department
22.3.6 Transportation to Evaluation Training Centres
22.3.7 Traveling Meal Allowances
22.3.8 Inter-Municipal Livery Rates
22.3.9 Telephones for Health and Safety Reasons

22.4 Other Health Treatment and Equipment
22.4.1 Medical Supplies and Equipment
22.4.2 Supplies and Services - Personal Care Home Residents
22.4.3 Chiropody and Podiatry
22.4.4 Acupuncture
22.4.5 Radioisotope Material for Nuclear Medicine Examinations
22.4.6 Hearing Aids
22.4.7 Family Support Program
22.4.8 (deleted)
22.4.9 Supports For Participants Enrolled In An Approved Program to Address Addictions

SECTION 23 - FUNERALS

23.1 Funerals
23.1.1 EIA Funerals - Persons Eligible
23.1.2 Requests For Funeral Benefits
23.1.3 Testing Financial Eligibility
23.1.4 Inter-Office Transfer Of Service Requests
23.1.5 Manitoba Funeral Services Association Agreement
23.1.6 No Prior Notification Of Contract For A Funeral
23.1.7 Autopsy Costs

SECTION 24 - LIENS AND RECOVERIES

24.1 Liens
24.1.1 Discharge of Old Liens
24.1.2 Current Causes for Lien Registration
24.1.3 Mortgage Payments
24.1.4 Procedures
24.1.5 Liens - Public Trustee
24.1.6 Lien Avoidance - Earnings to Principal
24.1.7 Lien Avoidance - Maintenance Income

24.2 Recoveries
24.2.1 Overpayment - Definition
24.2.2 Causes of Overpayments
24.2.3 Effect of Circumstances Prior to Application
24.2.4 Legislative Authority for Recovery of Overpayments
24.2.5 Rate of Recovery
24.2.6 Calculation of Overpayment
24.2.7 Common-Law Unions
24.2.8 Lost or Stolen Cash
24.2.9 (deleted)
24.2.10 (deleted)
24.2.11 Offence and Penalty
24.2.12 (deleted)
24.2.13 Reconciliation of Estimated Utility Costs

24.3 Administrative Error
24.3.1 Recovery of Overpayments Due to Administrative Error
24.3.2 Splitting Overpayments

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