Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit
Youth Stream
The Manitoba government has provided additional funding to help Manitobans who need support with rent to access the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit (CMHB). This brings this year’s total to over $11.0 million to help more Manitobans access affordable housing.
Due to high demand for the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit (CMHB) homelessness and youth streams, applications will be reviewed as they are submitted and in the order that they are received until all funding has been allocated. Applications will not require a signed lease or EIA Rent Form to be considered, as approvals prior to this are conditional. However, a signed lease or EIA Rent Form is still required to receive the benefit, and payment will not be issued until housing is secured.
Department of Families Provincial Services will make every effort to communicate with you to ensure that you are aware of the status of your application prior to securing housing.
Manitobans who are currently receiving the CMHB or are renewing their benefit will not be affected. This also does not affect Manitobans who are applying for or renewing their benefit for the Survivors of Gender-Based Violence stream of the CMHB.
If there are any questions or concerns, please email CMHBSI@gov.mb.ca
This stream is designed to support independence and improve outcomes for youth and young adults who are in the process of, or who have transitioned out of the care of Child and Family Services, and need assistance to pay for housing.
The benefit in this stream can be used anywhere in the private market in Manitoba. The benefit is delivered by the Provincial Services office of Manitoba Families.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the CMHB youth stream, applicants must:
- be a youth or young adult (17 up to and including 26 years old) that has been in the care of Manitoba Child and Family Services, including Indigenous Governing Bodies;
- complete a program application;
- be receiving Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) or non-EIA Rent Assist or
- have a net income at or below the non-EIA Rent Assist Disability Program Income Limit;
- need assistance to cover rental costs;
- live in private rental accommodation; and
- have a tenancy agreement. Note: If an applicant does not have a signed tenancy/rent agreement when they apply for the CMHB, the application may be pre-approved until the applicant obtains a tenancy/rent agreement. At that time, the benefit amount can be determined.
To continue being eligible for benefits, recipients must report all changes that may impact their eligibility such as:
- changes in household size
- address changes or moves
- changes in rent
- changes in income
Youth may not apply for the youth stream of the CMHB:
- they rent their home from Manitoba Housing or other subsidized housing
- they live on a First Nations reserve
- they live in a hospital or residential care facility
- they live in student housing
- they live outside of Manitoba
You can only receive the CMHB through one of the benefit streams. If you are found to be accessing the CMHB through different streams, your benefits will be suspended immediately and you will be required to re-apply to one stream only.
Benefit Calculation
For eligible applicants, the CMHB will be calculated as:
- CMHB = Rent – Rent Assist, up to $350 per month
or - CMHB = Rent – (30 per cent of income + non-EIA Rent Assist), up to $350 per month
For eligible applicants not receiving EIA or non-EIA Rent Assist, the CMHB will be the maximum benefit of $350 per month.
If you are paying for your utilities out of pocket (i.e., a cold rent), you are eligible to receive an additional $72 on top of your monthly benefit amount to help with your utility costs.
Applying
The documents on this page are available in alternative format upon request.
To apply for the youth stream of the CMHB you can download an application form (PDF), or to have an application form mailed to you, contact Provincial Services:
Phone: 204-948-7368 in Winnipeg
1-877-587-6224 toll-free
or
TTY: 204-948-3698
Email: incsup@gov.mb.ca
Annual Renewal Form
Complete this form annually to ensure you continue to be eligible and that the benefit continues. You can download the Annual Renewal form (PDF), or to have an annual renewal form mailed to you contact Provincial Services:
Phone: 204-948-7368 in Winnipeg
1-877-587-6224 toll-free
or
TTY: 204-948-3698
Email: incsup@gov.mb.ca
Change in Information Form
To continue being eligible for benefits, recipients must report all changes to their circumstances that may affect the continuation of the benefit (e.g., changes in household size, address changes or moves, changes in rent or income). You can download the Change in Information form (PDF), or, to have a change in information form mailed to you contact Provincial Services:
Phone: 204-948-7368 in Winnipeg
1-877-587-6224 toll-free
or
TTY: 204-948-3698
Email: incsup@gov.mb.ca
Submitting Completed Forms
All completed forms can be submitted to Provincial Services:
Email: incsup@gov.mb.ca
Fax: 204-945-3930
or
TTY: 204-948-3698
In person or by regular mail: 114 Garry Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4V4
Important Documents and Links
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- Information Sheet (PDF)
- How to Submit an Application by Email (PDF)
If you are applying for, or receiving the CMHB, you may also be eligible to receive Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) or non-EIA Rent Assist. More information on these programs is available for your reference.
Note: this webpage will be updated if the program becomes full and intake needs to pause until additional funding is available.
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