Archived News Releases

Province to Increase Northern Allowance

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New Rates Recognize Higher Cost of Living in North: Mackintosh

Manitoba will increase the Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) northern allowance by five per cent for northern and remote communities in January, Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.

 

“The cost of living is higher in remote and northern communities and low-income residents sometimes need a little extra help to make healthy food choices for their families,” said Mackintosh.  “We want to treat Manitobans in every part of the province fairly.”

 

The new, higher rates will take effect in January and are designed to help about 1,700 families that typically have fewer options to shop around and stretch their budgets, said Mackintosh.  The new rates are based on a percentage of a household’s basic EIA benefits for food and are in addition to the amount provided for shelter.  This latest increase builds on previous increases to the northern allowance in 2005 and 2007.

 

The EIA northern allowance is paid to low-income households with rates based on three categories depending on the remoteness of the community:

·         those in or near Thompson, Flin Flon and The Pas;

·         those in remote areas with direct all-weather road, rail or water access to their communities; and

·         households without direct all-weather road, rail or water access to their communities.

 

Low-income northern residents also have access to the Northern Energy Cost Benefit (NECB), a $25‑per-month benefit for households receiving the northern allowance. The NECB is intended to assist with the increase in the cost of basic necessities resulting from rising energy costs such as those required to transport goods.

 

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