Manitoba Family Services and Labour
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Employment and Income Assistance Facts
Child Care
If you are a parent and you are planning to go to work or enter a training program, the first thing you have to think about is child care. It is important to talk to your worker who can help you determine the child care arrangements you need and how to make them.
- What is the Manitoba Child Care Program and how can it help me?
- How do I contact the Manitoba Child Care Program?
- How much will I have to pay for child care?
- What if I need to use emergency child care?
- What if a relative cares for my children?
- What do I do if my child care plan doesn't work?
What is the Manitoba Child Care Program and how can it help me?
The Manitoba Child Care Program can answer your questions about:
- how to find dependable child care;
- the different kinds of licensed child care facilities and where they are located;
- the financial help (subsidy) you can get to pay for child care fees; and
- how to apply for a subsidy and complete the application form.
How do I contact the Manitoba Child Care Program?
To find out more about the Manitoba Child Care Program you can call the following numbers:
In Winnipeg:
To find out about child care in your area you can call
945-0776.
To find out about child care subsidy you can call 945-0286.
Outside Winnipeg:
You can find out information by calling their toll free
phone number at 1-888-213-4754 and
ask for the Intake Line for child
care or child care subsidies.
You can also look at the Government of Manitoba web site to search for licensed child care in your neighbourhood, as well as estimate and apply for a subsidy on-line at: www.manitoba.ca/childcare.
How much will I have to pay for child care?
When you use subsidized child care:
For every child, you must pay the first $1 per day of any fees. Any fees over this are paid for by Employment and Income Assistance (EIA).
To receive assistance you must send in your child care receipts to your worker at the end of each month. You must include the full name, address and phone number of your child care provider when you send in your receipts. A good time to send in your receipts is when you are sending in your Income Declaration Statement (the form that you use to report all your earnings to your worker).
The amount of your subsidy may change once you are working and your family's earnings increase. When your circumstances change, you must tell the Manitoba Child Care Program and they will let you know how this will affect your subsidy.’
When you use non-subsidized child care (including private sitters):
If you are planning to use non-subsidized child care while you are on EIA, it is important to discuss this with your worker. If you and your worker agree that this is the best choice, you will have to pay the private sitter and send your receipts to your worker. You will get back all your costs except for the first $1 per day for each child.
What if I need to use emergency child care?
When you and your worker are making your plan for looking for work or starting training, it is important to plan for emergencies in child care. You should try to find emergency child care at no cost, either through a friend or relative. If you cannot find someone who can care for your child free of charge, pay the person you have found. Send your worker a signed receipt that includes the emergency child care provider's name, address and phone number.
What if a relative cares for my children?
Normally, if your relatives are caring for your children, and they are not a licensed child care provider, you cannot get financial help for child care from EIA or the Manitoba Child Care Program.
What do I do if my child care plan doesn't work?
Always plan for the unexpected. This means planning for what you will do if your child or your child care provider is sick. You also have to make plans for what to do when the school has in-service days and holidays. Always have a back-up plan for the unexpected.
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