Low-income frontline workers will be eligible for a one-time payment from the provincial government.

Eligible positions cover industries like health care, social services, justice, transportation and essential retail.

"I want to thank these organizations, representing more than Manitoba 17,000 businesses and 110,000 workers, for providing valuable input and reaching a consensus on how best to administer risk recognition payments," Premier Brian Pallister says. "Based on their feedback, we will implement a program to recognize and thank workers who played a key role in our provincial pandemic response efforts and made sacrifices in their professional and personal lives to protect all Manitobans, especially those most vulnerable."

The payment is available to workers employed on a part-time or full-time basis from March 20 (the start of the provincial state of emergency) until May 29, who either worked a minimum 200 cumulative hours (or would have worked that amount but were required to self-isolate under public health orders). An employee’s total pre-tax employment income during the eligibility period must be less than $6,250 ($2,500 per month for 2.5 months) and they cannot be enrolled in the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

The full list of eligible positions and organizations is available here. Online applications will be accepted starting Wednesday, June 3. The application deadline is June 18 and the province will issue payments via direct deposit once it verifies applications.

The province will fully distribute the $120-million fund, which will be equally divided between the successful applicants. Individual amounts will be determined by the total number of participants.