Immigrant Centre
- 100 Adelaide Street
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
- R3A 0W2 Canada
- Phone (204) 943-9158
- https://www.icmanitoba.com/
- 102B-275 Broadway
- Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4M6
- Phone: 204-942-6556
- Email:
- 100 – 287 Broadway
- Winnipeg, MB R3C 0R9
- Phone: 204-985-8540, Toll-Free: 1-800-261-2960
- Fax: 204-985-8544
- EIA matters:
- Tenancy matters:
How can I get emergency assistance?
- (204) 945-0183 (24-hour line)
- 1-866-559-6778 (toll-free outside Winnipeg)
- 1-800-855-0511 (Manitoba Relay Service)
Who will be accepted to EIA?
- 65 or older, or
- A person with a disability, or
- A single parent, or
- A minor or child, or
- A person who has a dependant in need of special care
- Special cases (for example if you are under 18 and live on your own)
- A person who requires protection and resides in a crisis intervention centre
- General Assistance, if you don’t fall within any of the other categories you may fit into general assistance category.
What factors can affect my benefit amount?
The benefit amount is based on your need. EIA will look at your income and assets, if this is less than your basic needs expenses you may be eligible for help. The number of people in your household, their income and their needs will also factor in to your benefit amount. Benefit amounts are set by the Employment and Income Assistance Act and Regulation. Having an outstanding warrant can also affect your eligibility or affect your benefit amount. EIA encourages you to deal with outstanding warrants as soon as possible. For example, if you are a single person and have an outstanding warrant you may not be eligible for benefits. If you have multiple people in your household and an outstanding warrant, your benefit amount may be reduced. Contact EIA staff with any questions. List of Service locations in Winnipeg List of Service locations outside of Winnipeg
How does EIA calculate the cost of my basic needs?
EIA will look at the number of people in your household, their ages, medical costs, shelter costs, and other specific costs, if applicable. If the total cost of your basic needs is more than your income and assets, you may be eligible for EIA benefits. Benefit amounts are set by the Employment and Income Assistance Act and Regulation.
What is not included as income when applying for EIA?
- Your home, automobile, and other essential property
- Liquid assets up to $4,000 per person ($16,000 maximum per family)
- The first $200 of your net monthly earnings
- Canada Child Benefit
- Tax credit refunds
- Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs)
- Earnings of children (under 18) who are in school or a full-time EIA-approved program
- Manitoba Prenatal Benefits Program benefits
- Occasional gifts, up to $100 per month per person in the family
- Gifts up to $500 per month from friends/family if you have a disability
For more information, check out Community Legal Education Association’s Welfare Guide :
Contact EIA by phone.
What if I forgot to declare income to EIA?
Once you start receiving EIA benefits, you have a duty to immediately report any changes in your financial situation to EIA. If you have forgotten to include some of your income or financial assets in your application, you should notify EIA immediately. If EIA issues an overpayment to you, you have a duty to pay it back. If the overpayment was because of incorrect information you provided, EIA can enforce repayment by reducing your future EIA payments, reducing the amount of your tax refunds, or putting a lien on your property.
Once I qualify for EIA, what are my ongoing responsibilities?
You will have to complete an Annual Review once a year to show that you are still eligible for EIA. You are expected to make reasonable efforts to use all other financial resources available to you. This may include seeking federal benefits, child support or spousal support payments, pension benefits, or insurance benefits that you might be entitled to. Once you start receiving EIA benefits, you have a duty to immediately report any changes in your financial situation to EIA. If you have forgotten to include some of your income or financial assets in your application, you should notify EIA immediately. If EIA issues an overpayment to you, you have a duty to payback the overpayment. If the overpayment was because of incorrect information you provided, EIA can enforce repayment by reducing your future EIA payments, reducing the amount of your tax refunds, or putting a lien on your property. There are programs in place to help you with repaying overpayments. Contact EIA for more information. If you have any questions about the terms or expectations that apply to you, contact a local service location near you. Local service locations in Winnipeg are listed here: http://www.manitoba.ca/fs/misc/loc/winnipeg.html Service locations outside of Winnipeg are listed here: https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/misc/loc/ruralnorthern.html
Do I have to seek other financial support (such as child or spousal support) in order to remain on EIA?
To continue receiving EIA, you must make reasonable efforts to use all financial resources available to you. Depending on your situation, this may include child and spousal support.
What happens if someone moves in with me while I am on EIA?
Changes to your personal situation may affect your eligibility for EIA, or the amount of the payments you are eligible to receive. Because of the effect personal changes could have on your EIA status, you have a duty to inform EIA of any changes to your personal situation as soon as possible.
Contact a local service location near you. List of Service locations in Winnipeg List of Service locations outside of Winnipeg
Who can I contact if my EIA has been reduced or if I have not been approved for Employment Insurance (EI)?
Community Unemployed Help Centre provides information and help for people who are dealing with EIA programs. They can be reached by phone at (204) 942-6556, or by email at . There is no charge for their services. If you qualify for Legal Aid, you may also get help from the Public Interest Law Centre’s Advocacy Unit. They can be contacted by phone at (204) 985-8540 or toll-free at 1-800-261-2960.
How can I appeal decisions made by EIA?
- Either write a letter or fill out a Notice of Appeal explaining why you feel the decision was wrong and why you feel you are entitled to assistance.
- Make sure you sign the letter/Notice of Appeal.
- Include your name, address, and a phone number where messages can be left.
- Mail, fax, or drop off the letter/Notice of Appeal to the Social Services Appeal Board:
- The Social Services Appeal Board
- 7th Floor, 175 Hargrave Street
- Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R8
- Phone: (204) 945-3003 or (204) 945-3005
- TTY: 204-948-2037
- Toll Free (outside Winnipeg): 1-800-282-8069
- Fax: (204) 945-1736
You can use this same process to appeal other EIA decisions, for example if your payments have been reduced or suspended. If you have any other questions about the appeal process, contact the Social Services Appeal Board. Legal Aid Manitoba’s Advocacy Unit or The Community Unemployed Help Centre, a non-profit agency, may also be able to help with your appeal.
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