Healthy Child Manitoba

Manitoba Prenatal Benefit &
Community Support Programs

 

It's What's Inside That Counts ...

Manitoba is investing in the health of its future citizens with the introduction of Healthy Baby.  Healthy Baby is a two-part program of financial assistance for nutrition during pregnancy and community programs that offer nutritional and health information to expectant and new families.

Manitoba Prenatal Benefit

A monthly cheque during pregnancy is available to income-eligible women to help with eating well.

Pregnant women who live in Manitoba and have a net family income of less than $32,000 are eligible for prenatal benefits starting in the second trimester of pregnancy.  (Sample benefits ...)  Benefits end in the month the baby is due.

You have to apply to receive benefits.  An application form can be downloaded from this site, picked up in medical offices, community agencies, and public services, or can be obtained from the Healthy Baby Prenatal Benefit office (phone number below...).   A medical note confirming pregnancy and expected date of delivery is required with the application.

Prenatal Benefits are based on net family income or confirmation of receipt of income assistance. The maximum monthly benefit is $81.41.  A sliding scale, based on income, is used to calculate benefits.  (Sample benefits ...)

Women receiving income assistance (provincial, municipal or band) are eligible for the maximum amount.

Extra information will be sent with cheques that invites women to participate in programs in the community; basic nutrition and health messages will also be included. (See Useful Info for Moms-to-be...)

After the baby is born, federal child benefits begin. Together, federal and provincial benefits offer longer-term financial security for families.

Healthy Baby Community Support Programs

Friendly, informal prenatal and postnatal outreach programs

Community programs offer social support and informal learning opportunities to encourage early, regular prenatal care and promote healthy infant development.  These programs:

• encourage healthy eating through cooking and nutrition activities,
• build women's confidence and awareness of health and parenting choices, and
• foster awareness of babies' nurturing needs.

Twenty-six groups were funded as of December 2002. Programs are offered in over 70 locations in Manitoba. (List of Community Support Programs ...) Further development of community programming is expected. Services may include outreach to geographically isolated women who are unable to connect in person.

(Women living in First Nations Communities may call (204) 983-4199 to learn about a Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program in their area.)