What Is Benefits And Financial Assistance From The Government

I Want To Apply For Employment Insurance

If you are looking to apply for Employment Insurance from the Government of Canada, please go to: .

The Employment and Income Assistance Program 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:

EIA provides benefits 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
• 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 .

For more information on EIA benefits, please look at the that fits your household situation.

How Do I Provide Additional Information When Requested

To serve you better and to make sure you get all the benefits you qualify for, please:

• Give us all requested information as soon as possible
• Let us know if you need help getting information. We can assist you.

You can mail or fax copies of the requested information. Please do not turn in original documents.

When you apply online, you can upload requested information or fax it with a cover sheet. in Health-e-Arizona Plus titled ‘How do I fax documents to HEAplus’).

Can I Get Help For A Mental Health Crisis

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK can connect you with a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7. If you need help for a mental health crisis or are having suicidal thoughts, please call them.

You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line for 24/7 crisis interventions. Crisis Text Line uses a network of over 1,500 crisis counselor, all of whom have completed 34 hours of training on reflective listening, collaborative problem solving and crisis management.

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Disability Benefits For Veterans

You may be eligible for disability benefits if you’re on disability from your service in the Canadian Armed Forces or Merchant Navy.

You may get social assistance payments from:

• your province or territory
• your First Nation

These payments will depend on your household income, savings and investments.

You may also be eligible for health-related benefits from your province or territory. These benefits may include benefits that help cover the cost of:

• medications
• medical aids or devices

Lost Wages Assistance Program

The Lost Wages Assistance program, created Aug. 8, 2020, was a federal-state unemployment benefit that provided $300 to $400 in weekly compensation to eligible claimants. The federal government provided $300 per claimant from the Disaster Relief Fund , and states were asked to provide the remaining $100.

LWA was established in response to the expiration of the FPUC program on July 31, 2020, and designed to offer compensation through Dec. 27, 2020.

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Employment And Income Assistance

In addition to the different seniors benefits provided by Canadian provinces and territories, there are also provisions to assist seniors who have no other source of income, are unable to pay for basic necessities, and who may not be eligible for government retirement benefits such as OAS/GIS.

Depending on the province/territory, these benefits may be referred to using different names such as Income Assistance, Hardship Assistance, Social Assistance, etc.

Other benefits that are available to seniors include discounted bus pass programs, GST/HST credits, housing programs, and more.

To search for health and income programs available across Canada, use the Benefits Finder located at CanadaBenefits.gc.ca.

If there are any provincial seniors benefits missing, please leave them in the comment section below.

Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits

The Canada Pension Plan provides monthly payments to people who contribute to the plan during their working years.

You may be eligible for CPP disability benefits if:

• you contributed to the CPP for a certain number of years
• you’re under 65 years old
• you have a severe and prolonged mental or physical disability
• your disability prevents you from working on a regular basis

The benefits include payments to children of a person with a disability.

Apply as early as possible if you think you’re eligible for CPP disability benefits. Quebec residents may be eligible for a similar program called the Quebec Pension Plan . It may take several months to process your application.

If you applied for CPP or QPP disability benefits and were told that you’re not eligible, you can ask to have your application reviewed or considered again.

Once you reach age 65, your CPP disability benefit will automatically change to regular CPP payments. Your regular CPP payments may be less than the CPP disability payments you got before.

If so, consider:

• find out if you qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement

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Old Age Security Guaranteed Income Supplement And Spouse’s Allowance

If you are age 65 or older and have lived in Canada for 10 or more years, you can apply for the Old Age Security benefit . You can make your application six months before you turn 65, and are encouraged to complete an annual income tax return in order to avoid any processing delays.

Canadians with low incomes who already receive the OAS can apply for the Guaranteed Income Supplement . If you are receiving the GIS and your spouse is between 60 and 64, your spouse can apply for a separate benefit called the Allowance. Your spouse can apply for the Allowance up to 12 months before he or she turns 60. This Allowance can also be claimed by a widow or widower between the ages of 60 and 64. In this situation, it is called the Allowance for the Survivor.

Federal Programs And Retirement Income Benefits For Seniors

Following the initial introduction of The Annuities Act in 1908, Canada has come a long way when it comes to retirement benefits.

On the federal level, we now have the Old Age Security pension and the Canada Pension Plan /Quebec Pension Plan .

The OAS and CPP are often referred to as Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of Canadas retirement income system respectively. In the light of a seniors total income in retirement, the OAS and CPP are expected to cover approximately 40% of their retirement income.

Lets look at what these benefits offer:

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Information Needed For Eligibility

Whether you are applying for the first time, or renewing your benefits, you may need one or more of the following pieces of information to determine whether you are eligible:

• Proof of citizenship and identity for everyone who is applying for benefits.
• Alien Registration Cards, if there are non-U.S. citizens applying for benefits in your household.
• Social Security numbers for everyone, or proof that a Social Security number has been applied for.
• Proof of relationship, birth certificates may be used.
• Name, address & daytime phone number of landlord or neighbor.
• A statement verifying your address and the names of everyone living with you. The statement must be made by a non-relative who doesnt live with you. It must be signed, dated and include that person’s address and telephone number.
• Proof of ALL money your household received from any source last month and this month.
• Proof that your employment ended and last date paid.
• Bank or credit union complete statement for the most recent month.
• Proof of savings bonds, securities, retirement plans and life insurance.
• Proof of rent/mortgage and utility bills for the most recent month.
• Proof of child care expenses for the most recent month.

When possible, please include this information with your application.

Small Business Lending Fund

The Small Business Lending Fund , created as part of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, is a dedicated fund that provides capital to community banks and community development loan funds to encourage those organizations to lend to small businesses. Information about this fund, including the location of lending institutions near you, can be found on the U.S. Treasury Small Business Lending Fund website.

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I Want To Apply For Eia Benefits

If you need to apply for EIA benefits, you may start your pre-application process using the EIA Online Pre-Application Portal or contact us by telephone.

Apply Online: Start my EIA Pre-Application Form. Once submitted you will be contacted by telephone, at the number you provided, to further discuss the next steps in completing your EIA application form.

Apply by Telephone: If you do not have access to our online application, please call us at 204-948-4000 or1-855-944-8111 .

Notice Of Eligibility For Pause On Utility Disconnections

Under Virginia General Assembly law, Virginia customers who received TANF, SNAP, or WIC anytime between January 2019 – July 31, 2021 may qualify to avoid Dominion Energy disconnection.

Click here to learn more.

The Virginia Department of Social Services develops and administers programs that provide timely and accurate income support benefits and employment services to families and individuals in the Commonwealth. These programs assist citizens as they transition from dependency on public assistance programs to self-sufficiency.

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Who Qualifies For Low

Recipients of these kind of government benefits must prove their income is below a set amount, which is some percentage of the federal poverty level. Most programs also require you to be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen. And many programs have state requirements based on family size and details about combined family income.

Through executive order, the Trump administration has called for the introduction of work requirements to receive some of these welfare benefits. President Trump doubled down on this concept, tying them into the 2020 fiscal budget he introduced. For now, the government agencies and departments that administer these programs are developing ways to introduce work requirements into many of these programs.

And dont forget that welfare programs are not entitlement programs by definition. Entitlement programs, like Social Security and unemployment insurance, determine eligibility based on prior contributions from payroll taxes. Welfare programs, however, are based solely on a familys income level, and thus level of need.

Now lets look at each of these government programs in more detail:

Connect With Us From The Comfort Of Your Home

Nutrition, Cash and Medical Assistance services are available virtually online and by phone. Learn more about how to connect with us safely and comfortably.

Cash Assistance helps families meet their basic needs for well-being and safety and serves as their path to self-sufficiency. The Cash Assistance program provides temporary cash benefits and supportive services to the neediest of Arizona’s children and their families.

• Apply for Medical Assistance

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Learn About The Childrens Health Insurance Program

If your income is too high for Medicaid, your child may still qualify for the Childrens Health Insurance Program . It covers medical and dental care for uninsured children and teens up to age 19.

Is my child eligible for CHIP?

CHIP qualifications are different in every state. In most cases, they depend on income.

How do I apply for CHIP benefits?

You have two ways to apply for CHIP:

• Fill out an application through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

What else do I need to know about CHIP?

• You can apply for and enroll in Medicaid or CHIP anytime during the year.

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

The EBB opened for enrollment on May 12, 2021, and provides a monthly discount of $50 to $75 for households that qualify. The program also grants a one-time discount of up to $100 toward a new laptop, desktop, or tablet purchased from participating providers.

Your household is eligible if at least one member meets one of the following criteria:

• Has income at or below 135% of the current Federal Poverty Level or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline.
• Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2020 to 2021 school year.
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
• Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers.
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

To apply, do one of the following:

• Contact a participating broadband provider directly to learn about its application process.
• Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.

The EBB program is scheduled to end six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the pandemic, or if the program runs out of funds.

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What You Could Get

Ontario Works offers two types of assistance:

• help with the essential costs of living and health benefits for clients and their eligible family members
• help to find and keep a job

If you are eligible for Ontario Works, the amount of money you get will depend on your specific situation. In most cases, you must participate in employment-related activities to get financial help.

If you are eligible for Ontario Works you could receive:

• $733 a month for basic needs and shelter
• additional amounts for benefits and other family members who live with you

Other Types Of Benefits And Programs For The Unemployed

Educational Help

Federal agencies offer many unemployment education and training programs. They are generally free or low cost to the unemployed.

Self-Employment Help

Self-employment assistance programs help unemployed workers start their own small businesses. Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, and Oregon offer this program.

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Vita And Tce Tax Filing Assistance Programs

The IRS has two in-person tax assistance programs: the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and Tax Counseling for the Elderly . Both offer free tax-preparation assistance to qualified individuals. VITA generally applies to you if your income is $57,000 or less, you are disabled, or you have limited English-speaking skills. TCE is for citizens aged 60 or older.

You can find VITA and TCE program sites using either the IRS TCE/VITA locator tool or the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site locator tool.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all TCE sites and many VITA sites are closed until further notice. Use the VITA locator tool to find out if a site near you is open.

Types Of Financial Assistance

Below are some of the most common types of financial assistance and a brief explanation of their meanings.

Grant

A grant is money that a local or national government, charity, organization, or person gives for a specific purpose.

In most cases, grants are for home improvements, research, education, and community projects. Some organizations also award grants to help people set up their own business.

Subsidy

A subsidy is financial assistance that the government gives directly to farmers, companies, and organizations. They are usually to encourage the production of something, boost exports, or promote research.

The government may also give subsidies to prevent bankruptcy, reduce unemployment, or make something more affordable.

In some countries, the government subsidizes, for example, its staple food. A staple food is a food that people eat routinely and in large quantities.

A staple food represents a dominant portion of a countrys standard diet. Rice in China, tortillas in Mexico, and sorghum in parts of Africa are examples of staple foods.

Bailout

This type of financial assistance exists when a company or many companies in an industry are about to collapse.

During the 2007/8 Global Financial Crisis and the Great Recession that came after it, many banks nearly died. In fact, they would have died if the governments in Europe, North America, and other parts of the world had not saved them.

Bailouts are one of the most controversial forms of financial assistance.

Welfare

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Other Government Of Canada Benefits And Grants For Seniors

The federal government is committed to supporting grants for seniors in Canada through a number of initiatives and benefits that promote financial self-reliance and independent living at home.

• Veterans Affairs Canada extends a wide range of facilities and benefits to eligible Veterans and their families and caregivers.

You can view all of the Government of Canada seniors benefits and the grants created for older Canadians on the Government of Canadas Programs and Services webpage. For specific information on a grant, rebate, credit or deferral that applies to you, check out Benefits Finder, a useful tool developed by the Canadian government.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

SNAP helps needy families supplement their food budget in order to move toward self-sufficiency. Eligibility is determined by individual states that administer the program. You apply in the state where you live by contacting your state agency.

Some states allow online applications, while others require your physical presence. See further information in the special COVID-19 Food Program Waivers section below.

In 2021, the USDA increased the average SNAP benefit nationwide by an average of $28 per person per month.

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Cons Of Student Financial Aid

• Loan repayment required
• Lifetime limits on Pell Grants
• Private loans are more expensive and restrictive
• Defaulting on loans hurts credit

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student loan payments, including principal and interest, on federally held student loans were suspended through Sept. 30, 2021, and extended again through Jan. 31, 2022. On Dec. 22, 2021, the pause on federal student loan repayments was extended for an additional 90 daysthrough May 1, 2022. However, the suspension only applies to federal student loans held by the Department of Education.

The Department of Education also stopped the collection of defaulted federal student loans. This applies to loans in nonpayment. As a result, garnishment of wages and any offset of tax refunds and Social Security benefits have also been stopped through May 1, 2022.

The American Rescue Plan passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in March 2021 includes a provision that makes all student loan forgiveness from Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2025, tax-free.