Employment and Income Assistance

EIA Scam Alert

The Manitoba government has been made aware of a texting scam impersonating Employment and Income Assistance (EIA).

How to recognize it: Scammers will send a message from a fake number to your phone or tablet.  They will claim to be the Manitoba government or Manitoba EIA and offer you a benefit entitlement, encouraging you to click on a link provided in their message.  They may ask you to provide personal information such as your social insurance number or date of birth, or online banking information to accept the benefits.

What to do: Do not reply to the text message, click on the link, or send them any personal information.  EIA does not use text messages to communicate with you.

If you suspect that you may be the victim of a scam or fraud or have been tricked into giving personal or financial information, contact your local police service.

 

We are changing!

Effective January 2, 2023 anyone living in the City of Winnipeg can apply for Employment Income Assistance through a new Central Intake office at 111 Rorie Street.

How do I apply?

Book an intake appointment:

  1. Call 204-948-4000. If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, call 1-800-855-0511 (Manitoba Relay Service);
  2. Complete the EIA Intake Appointment Request form; or
  3. Visit in-person to book an appointment. Drop-in at the 111 Rorie Street office or 128 Market Avenue if you have children or require accessibility services.

Where is my intake appointment?

All intake appointments will require an in-person visit to sign the application form.

Until January 13, 2023, appointments are in-person at Community Area offices. Find the Winnipeg location closest to you

After January 16, 2023, most appointments will happen at 111 Rorie Street. If you have children or require accessibility services, we will be pleased to help you at 128 Market Avenue.

If you live outside Winnipeg, the EIA application and intake process will not change. You can: Call toll free 1-855-944-8111

If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, call 1-800-855-0511 (Manitoba Relay Service);

Find out where the EIA office that you need to go to is located if you live outside of Winnipeg



How to Apply for EIA | EIA Brochures, Forms and Policies

The Employment and Income Assistance Program (EIA) provides financial help to Manitobans who have no other way to support themselves or their families. This includes benefits from the Rent Assist Program that helps with housing costs. For people who are able to work, EIA will help them go back to work by providing supports to employment.

For more program information click on one of the following EIA categories:

Coverage

EIA provides benefits (money) to help you with the costs of things like:

  • food, clothing, personal and household needs, basic dental, optical and prescription drugs, health-related supplies or equipment not provided by other programs
  • requests for these items are reviewed by the Disability and Health Supports Unit
  • supports to help you find and start a job

EIA provides additional benefits to cover extra costs for people living in remote or northern regions of Manitoba.

Rent Assist provides EIA recipients with benefits to help with their shelter and utility costs. Learn more about Rent Assist.

For more information on EIA benefits, please look at the EIA brochure that fits your household situation.

Eligibility

You must live in Manitoba and be in financial need.

You may be eligible for assistance if the total cost of your or your family’s monthly basic needs and housing costs are more than your total financial resources. Your financial resources are based on your income and assets. Some of your income and assets may not affect your eligibility.

The amount of your or your family’s basic needs are based on:

  • the number of people in your family, their ages and relationships to each other
  • the EIA basic allowance rate for your family size
  • the cost of some of your ongoing health needs

For more information on EIA and Rent Assist eligibility and benefits that you may receive, please look at the EIA brochure that best fits your household situation.

Applying

All Manitobans can apply for EIA.

For information on how to apply for EIA or Rent Assist or to set up a Pre-Intake Orientation, make an intake appointment, or find the EIA office that you should go to, call or complete the EIA Intake Appointment Request form

  • Winnipeg Residents call 204-948-4000
  • Outside of Winnipeg call 1-855-944-8111 (toll free) or find information on the Winnipeg or rural Manitoba EIA office in your area or region. 
  • If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, call 1-800-855-0511 (Manitoba Relay Service) 

People who are married, or who live as common-law couples need to apply for EIA together. Please read the Married or Common-law brochure to know if you are living in a common-law relationship.

If you have an outstanding warrant for certain serious offences (see Schedule C of The Assistance Regulation for a list) your application for EIA may be affected. Read the Married or Common-law brochure for more information on how your application for EIA may be affected. Read the Married or Common-law brochure for more information on the EIA Outstanding Warrants policy.

If you have recently quit, were fired, or refused a job without a good reason or just cause, your application for EIA may be affected. Please read the Reasons for leaving or refusing a job brochure  for more information on what you need to do if this situation applies to you.

Contact

Employment and Income Assistance
 
Address: Winnipeg