Q & A on Rent Assist for Newcomers - MANSO



Q & A on Rent Assist for NewcomersI am getting or applying for EIA benefits. Will Rent Assist help with my housing costs?When you apply for EIA, your eligibility for Rent Assist will also be assessed. If you are already receiving EIA benefits and you are eligible for Rent Assist, you will automatically receive it along with your monthly EIA benefit. Please contact your EIA case worker for further clarification. I am not getting EIA benefits. Can I apply for Rent Assist? You can apply for Non-EIA Rent Assist if you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident and you pay rent or room and board for unsubsidized (private rental market) housing.You may not apply for Rent Assist if you: Receive Employment and Income Assistance (EIA)Live in Manitoba Housing accommodations, or your monthly rent is based upon your incomeLive in a community residence, personal care home, hospital or residential care facility or First Nations CommunityAre in Canada as a temporary Student, Worker or Visitor Own your own home Live in a unit that someone already receives a Rent Assist benefitLive in student-based housing, such as residencesHave no rental costs (lease)What are the maximum household income levels that are eligible for Rent Assist? The maximum net annual income limits effective July 2017 are: $24,129 in the case of a single person household $27,386 in the case of a household with two adults and no minor dependants$33,729 in the case of a household with one adult and one minor dependant$33,729 in the case of a household of three to four persons $42,000 in the case of a household of five or more personsWhat documents will I need to apply?You will need your previous year’s tax returns (“Option C” Certified Income Tax (CIT) statement from Canada Revenue Agency), if you have children a copy of your CCB Notice, immigration documents (landing papers) and a copy of your lease.I haven’t filed taxes yet, because I’ve just moved to Canada. Can I still apply? Yes, you can. If you have never filed a Canadian income tax return and have been in Canada for 12 months or less, you will be asked to provide World Income from your home country. But if you do not have any formal documentation that indicates it (e.g. CIT statement), you will be required to provide one of the following:For families: Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Statement For individuals and couples without children: Goods and Service Tax (GST) Notice of Determination Income is calculated differently for refugees and immigrants who are being supported by a sponsorship. See question #7 below for more information. How long will it take to process my application? The application will take six (6) to eight (8) weeks to process. If your application is successful, benefits will be paid for the month in which the complete application with all supporting documents was received.How much money will I receive through Rent Assist?The Rent Assist program bases your benefit on your income, family size and 75 per cent of median market rent. The easiest way to get an estimate of your monthly Rent Assist benefit is to use our online calculator at example, a three-person household (2 adults with one child) with an annual income of $15,000 would be eligible for up to $5,244 per year in Rent Assist. This works out to a monthly benefit of $437.I am a government-assisted or privately-sponsored refugee. Does money the federal government or my family members give me count as income? For government-assisted refugees and privately-sponsored refugees, the income used for determining Rent Assist eligibility is applicable from the table below. Once Government of Canada financial assistance or the sponsorship period ends, eligibility for Rent Assist will be assessed in the same way as it is for other applicants. Family Size$112,600221,200323,000427,000529,700632,500Additional member 2,550How will I receive my benefit? Rent Assist benefits will be deposited directly to your bank account at the end of the month for the upcoming month (normally with 3 business days left in the month). Can I apply if I own my own home? No, this program is currently available only to those renting in the private market.I just got a new job. Do I need to inform Rent Assist? No, you only need to inform us if you move or stop paying rent in Manitoba. All other changes to your personal circumstances, such as a change in the number of people who live with you, need to be reported at the time of your annual re-application. I can’t afford to get an apartment without Rent Assist. Can I be approved in advance? If you are looking for an apartment in the private rental market, you can still apply for Rent Assist benefits. Rent Assist staff will determine if you qualify based on your household size and income, and give you a letter of pre-approval that is good for 90 days. Once we get a copy of your new lease, benefits can be processed at the beginning of the month that you move in.I have a family member (other than my spouse and children) living with me. Can we both apply? Only one person in the household can apply for Rent Assist. Eligibility is based on the number of people in the household and the total income of all adults in the household. If any adult member of the household has a spouse who is currently not living in the household, the income of that spouse is also counted in the calculation of income, except in cases of marital/spousal separation. I have some assets (for example, I own some land in my home country). Am I still eligible? Assets are not included when determining eligibility for Rent Assist. Any income from your assets adds to your total income. For example, owning land in another country does not affect your Rent Assist eligibility, but rental income you receive from that land will.How do I apply? Who can help me apply?A settlement worker can help you apply for Rent Assist. If you don’t have a settlement worker, you can visit to find an agency near you. Note that some settlement agencies can only assist newcomers who are permanent residents. You can download an application for Rent Assist from the website at .mb.ca/jec/eia/rentassist/index.html. To have an application form mailed to you, call Provincial Services at 204-945-2197 in Winnipeg; toll free 1-877-587-6224.You can also talk to Rent Assist staff directly. Contact Information:Provincial ServicesManitoba Family Services100 - 114 Garry Street Winnipeg, MB R3C 4V4Phone 204-945-2197 in Winnipeg; toll free 1-877-587-6224 Email provservic@gov.mb.caWebsite ................
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