Get Your Benefits!

A first step to accessing government benefits and services is to make sure you have the necessary identification (ID).

Birth Certificates

A Birth Certificate (if born in Canada) or Permanent Resident Card/Citizenship Certificate (if born outside Canada) is considered primary Identification.

How does having a birth certificate help?

You may need a birth certificate when opening a bank account, registering children for school and when applying for benefits.

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

If you are a Canadian citizen, a newcomer to Canada, or a temporary resident, you need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to receive benefits and services from government programs and to work in Canada. It is free to apply for a SIN.

Get additional identification

Once you have your birth certificate, you can apply for other types of ID such as:

Driver’s License

Manitoba photo ID card

Passport

Secured Certificate of Indian Status

Social Insurance Number

SEED Winnipeg and Citizen's Bridge help people living on a low income to obtain ID and open bank accounts. They can also help you apply for eligible benefits.

SEED’s Access to Benefits program can also help you get your ID, apply for benefits, and file your tax returns. Call 204-927-9945 in Winnipeg or email atob@seedwinnipeg.ca. Space is limited.

Citizens' Bridge helps people living on a low income to:

• Get the ID you need to access government benefits and programs

• Safely store your identification

• Open a bank account

• Get a learner's/driver's licence

• Learn employment and financial skills

To access Citizen’s Bridge:

1. Get a referral - visit Facebook and locate a Community Referral Partners (under General Information).

2. Book an appointment with Citizens' Bridge – call 204-691-9719 or visit 607 Selkirk Avenue. For Outreach and ID Clinics call 204-691-9720.

Need a hand filing your taxes?
CFCS offers free tax filing for low to modest income individuals with simple tax situations through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). We have both in person services at various locations throughout the year and a Virtual Tax Clinic that runs year-round.

• CFCS Free Tax Clinic Information: Call 204-989-1913 (toll-free 1-833-215-3359) or visit our Tax Services page

• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): Find a free tax clinic or call the CRA general inquiries line at 1-800-959-8281 and ask about free CVITP tax clinics in your area

File your own taxes

• CRA Learn about your taxes: Develop an understanding of how the Canadian tax system works
  

• CRA Approved Software for Netfile: Find a list of CRA-approved software options for filing your own tax return online

Ever been unsure about what benefits and credits you might be eligible for? Prosper Canada’s Benefits Wayfinder tool can help you find the benefits you might be able to claim.

FEDERAL INCOME TAX CREDITS
These tax credits can be claimed by eligible individuals when you file your annual tax return.

• GST credit - a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals/families with low and modest incomes to offset all or part of the GST or HST they pay. Based on number of people and income of the household.

• Canada Caregiver Credit- Non-refundable tax credit that may be available if you support a spouse or common-law partner or a dependent with a physical or mental impairment.

• Canada Carbon Rebate - a tax-free quarterly payment that can be claimed by one person per family. Based on number of people in household and province of residence. (formerly called the Climate Action Incentive)

• Canada Workers Benefit - a refundable tax credit that provides tax relief for eligible low income individuals and families who are in the workforce. This was previously known as the Working Income Tax Benefit. 50% of the CWB will be paid in advance starting July 2023.

• Canada Child Benefit (CCB) - a tax-free monthly payment to help support your children under age 18. To get the CCB, you have to file your income tax return every year, even if you did not have income in the year. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they also have to file a return every year. Apply online, using form RC66 or by calling 1-800-387-1193.

• Disability Tax Credit - a non-refundable tax credit that helps people with severe and prolonged impairments reduce the amount of tax they have to pay. A medical practitioner must complete part of the application. Apply online, or call CRA at 1-800-959-8281

Important! Let Canada Revenue Agency know if your marital status changes by applying online or by calling 1-800-387-1193. This will make sure your benefits are correctly calculated based on your new situation.

MANITOBA INCOME TAX CREDITS
These credits can be claimed by eligible individuals when you file your annual tax return.

Manitoba Tax Assistance Office - informs and assists residents on the Manitoba income tax and tax credit programs. Call 204-948-2115 in Winnipeg or toll-free 1-800-782-0771 outside Winnipeg.

• Personal Tax Credit - for low-income Manitobans. Also known as the cost of living credit.

• Residential Renters Tax Credit - for individuals who rent their home in Manitoba. Based on the number of months rented in the year.

• Education Property Tax Credit (EPTC) - for homeowners who pay education property taxes in Manitoba.

• Primary Caregiver Tax Credit (PCTC) - for people who provide ongoing voluntary care and support to family members, friends, or neighbours who require help in their home. Requires an application, and must be renewed every 3 years.

FEDERAL BENEFIT PROGRAMS

• Canada Learning Bond (CLB) - available for children from low-income families born in 2004 or later to help saving early for their child’s education after high school. The CLB provides $500 into the child’s Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for the first year the child is eligible, plus an additional $100 for each year the child is eligible up to age 15, for a maximum of $2000. Contributions from family or friends to the child’s RESP is not required to receive the CLB.

• Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) - A registered disability savings plan (RDSP) is a savings plan intended to help an individual who is approved to receive the disability tax credit (DTC) to save for their long-term financial security. Contributions to an RDSP are not tax deductible and can be made until the end of the year in which the beneficiary turns 59. An RDSP is required to receive the Canada Disability Savings Bond (up to $1000 per year to low-income person with disability, no contributions required) and the Canada Disability Savings Grant (Canada Government pays matching grant of up to 300% of contributions made)

  • Canada Disability Savings Grant and Canada Disability Savings Bond

MANITOBA BENEFIT PROGRAMS

• Manitoba (non-EIA) Rent Assist - for individuals with low-income who are not receiving Employment Income Assistance, and who rent in the private market. Based on the number of people in the household and total household income. The Rent Assist Estimator can help you determine if you are eligible and how much you could receive.

• Manitoba 55 PLUS Program - a quarterly payment for low-income individuals over age 55 who are not on EIA and not yet receiving Old Age Security.

• Manitoba School Tax Assistance for Tenants 55 Plus (STAT 55+) - this is an annual income-tested rebate up to $175 available to low-income individuals over the age of 55 who rent in buildings assessed school taxes.