News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

April 26, 2021

Province Introduces Legislation That Would Ensure Income Supports Better Meet the Unique Needs of People with Severe and Prolonged Disabilities

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New Disability Support Act Would Enable Creation of Tailored Program Separate from Employment and Income Assistance: Squires

The Manitoba government is introducing legislation that would create a new income support program for individuals living with severe and prolonged disabilities who have no other means of supporting themselves, Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced today.

“The Manitoba government is committed to protecting Manitobans including those with severe and prolonged disabilities who face unique barriers to social and economic inclusion and participation in employment,” said Squires. “This legislation would create an income support framework that would support a better quality of life for these individuals.”

The minister noted bill 72 would support the creation of the program that would be separate from Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) and would include disability support payments and shelter assistance tailored to the unique and specific needs of persons with severe and prolonged disabilities.

Under existing legislation, Manitobans with severe and prolonged disabilities are treated the same as those experiencing temporary losses of employment or lesser barriers to permanent employment due to shorter-term or less severe disabilities.

The minister said the Manitoba Assistance Act would also be amended to strengthen requirements for participation in programming and supports that provide more pathways to employment, and to support practices that are more consistent and provide a better understanding of EIA requirements.

Public and stakeholder consultations in 2019-20 showed strong support for a new income support program for people with severe and prolonged disabilities, separate from the current EIA program. Additional virtual consultations were held in February of this year. The minister noted all public feedback will be used to form the next steps in the development of the new income support program.

The new legislation meets the government’s long-term commitment to support the specific and unique needs of Manitobans with severe and prolonged disabilities and to improve their quality of life, the minister said.

More information on the services available for Manitobans with disabilities is available at www.gov.mb.ca/fs/imd/.

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