Employment and Income Assistance

Notice: Dental coverage for people who get Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) is changing

I got a letter about dental benefits, what does it mean?  

You need to apply to get your dental benefits from the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). After September 1, EIA will only pay for emergency dental work. Please ask your dentist if your situation is considered an emergency. If you apply for the CDCP and are not eligible, you need to contact EIA to keep your dental benefits. 

I have a dentist appointment soon. Will I have to pay for it myself? 

For people who were on EIA before April 1, 2026 nothing changes until September 1, 2026. Any appointment before this date can be covered like it was before. If you start getting EIA after April 1, 2026, you will have to pay for it yourself unless it is an emergency. EIA will pay when it is a dental emergency. 

What happens on September 1, 2026, if I don’t apply for the CDCP, or my application is pending? 

After September 1, EIA will only pay for emergency dental work. Please ask your dentist if your situation qualifies as an emergency.  

I have private insurance. Do I still need to apply for the CDCP? 

No. You do not need to apply if you already have dental coverage through:  

  • Your job
  • A family member
  • Another government program (like Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations and Inuit).

Please let EIA know if you have any private insurance.  

How do I apply for the CDCP?  

You can apply in two ways: 

Who do I ask if I need help applying for the CDCP? 

The CDCP is run by the Government of Canada, so EIA workers are not experts. To get help, call 1-833-537-4342 or TTY: 1-833-677-6262.  

Can I go to my regular dentist if I get the CDCP?  

Maybe. Dentists get to decide if they accept CDCP members. You can search to see if your dentist does by searching this website: https://www.sunlife.ca/sl/cdcp/en/member/provider-search/.  

Will I have to pay money for my dental treatment with the CDCP?  

Maybe. Dentists get to decide if they charge extra money on top of what the CDCP covers. This is called "balanced billing". Always ask your dentist about extra costs and balanced billing before you get treatment.  

If your dentist says you will have to pay, you may want to try to find another dentist who does not do balanced billing. You can search for dentists in your area here: https://www.sunlife.ca/sl/cdcp/en/member/provider-search/. 

I am a parent/guardian/care provider of a person with disabilities; how do I apply on their behalf?  

Someone who has trouble applying can get help from a trusted person – a family member, friend or support worker. They can also apply by calling Service Canada:  

  • 1-833-537-4342
  • TTY: 1-833-677-6262

I got CDCP last year. Do I need to apply again?  

Yes, you must apply every year. 

More details are on the Government of Canada website: Canadian Dental Care Plan - Apply - Canada.ca  

Children's Special Allowance (CSA) Settlement - Important Notice

If you were in the care of Child and Family Services in Manitoba between January 1, 2005, and March 31, 2019, you may be eligible for compensation through the Children's Special Allowance Settlement.        

Applying is free, and payments will not affect your EIA or MSPD benefits.       

Apply by: January 5, 2027       

Get Information or Apply:       

Website: www.csasettlement.com
Call: 1-844-947-7101 or 204-947-7101
Questions: info@csasettlement.com
Claims: claims@csasettlement.com        



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:

Date you can expect your monthly EIA benefits

Benefit Month

Direct Deposit

Mailed Cheques
APR 2026 March 27 March 30
MAY 2026 April 28 April 29
JUN 2026 May 27 May 28
JUL 2026 June 26 June 29
AUG 2026 July 29 July 30
SEPT 2026 August 27 August 28
OCT 2026 September 25 September 28
NOV 2026 October 28 October 29
DEC 2026 November 26 November 27
JAN 2027 December 29 December 30
FEB 2027 January 27 January 28
MAR 2027 February 24 February 25
APR 2027 March 25 March 30

Please note that benefits are not due until the 1st of every month. Benefits may be delayed if you have not provided requested documents. Please call the EIA Service Centre if you have questions about your benefits. 204-948-2888 or toll free 1-855-944-8111.

How do I apply?

If you live in the City of Winnipeg to begin your application:
  1. Call 204-948-4000. If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, call 1-800-855-0511 (Manitoba Relay Service);

    2. OR

  2. Visit in-person at the 111 Rorie Street office. If you have children or require accessibility services, we will be pleased to help you at 128 Market Avenue. You will be seen on a first come, first served basis. We may not be able to start your application if you arrive after 3:00 p.m.
If you live outside Winnipeg:
  1. Call toll free 1-855-944-8111 to book an appointment. If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, call 1-800-855-0511 (Manitoba Relay Service);

    2. OR

  2. Visit in-person at your local Regional Social Services office (outside of Winnipeg). See a list of offices in Rural and Northern Manitoba at: www.gov.mb.ca/fs/misc/loc/ruralnorthern.html
How to Apply for EIA

EIA Brochures, Forms and Policies

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.

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: