The Manitoba government says it’s supporting healthy families by doubling the Manitoba Prenatal Benefit for pregnant Manitobans.
Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine has announced, “Our government knows that when you invest in prenatal care, you invest in communities. We want more Manitobans to see their 18th birthday and Budget 2024 doubles the prenatal benefit, which helps support growing families and get a healthier start for new babies.”
The Manitoba Prenatal Benefit is a monthly financial benefit to help low-income Manitobans meet their needs during pregnancy. This historic increase will make Manitoba’s benefit the highest in Canada.
The current maximum benefit is $81.41 per month, payable from the 14th week of pregnancy until the child is born. Budget 2024 includes an additional $800,000 to double the maximum monthly benefit to $162.82, ensuring the prenatal benefit has a real impact in making life more affordable for expectant parents, noted the minister.
“The prenatal benefit gives a boost for in pregnancy and especially now at a time when with rising food costs, it will help ensure that people are as healthy as possible during their pregnancy,” said Davorka Monti, executive director, Healthy Start. “Doubling the prenatal benefit will help ensure babies are born healthy and I think it’s a win-win for all Manitobans.”
The Manitoba Prenatal Benefit program also connects new and expectant parents to Healthy Baby Community Support programs, which operate across the province with support from the Manitoba government. The programs provide pregnant Manitobans and new parents with practical information and resources on parental and child health issues, prenatal, postnatal and infant nutrition, breast and chestfeeding, healthy lifestyle choices, parenting ideas, infant development and strategies to support the healthy physical, cognitive and emotional development of children.
A 2010 study by the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy showed the prenatal benefit decreased the number of babies born preterm or with a low birth weight.
The Manitoba government is also exploring ways to make the application process more accessible so that all eligible Manitobans can benefit, the minister said.
For more information about the Manitoba Prenatal Benefit, visit: Manitoba Prenatal Benefit | Healthy Baby | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca)
