Manitoba Hearing Aid Grant for Seniors: How to Get Up to $2,000

If you're a Manitoba senior living with hearing loss, there's a provincial government program you should know about. The Manitoba Seniors Hearing Aid Program provides eligible applicants with up to $2,000 toward the cost of hearing aids, including the hearing assessment and fitting. Many Manitobans who qualify simply don't know the program exists.

This guide explains everything: who qualifies, what the money covers, how to apply step by step, and how a Winnipeg hearing clinic like Prairie Hearing Centres can help you navigate the process.

What Is the Manitoba Seniors Hearing Aid Program?

Launched in June 2023, the Manitoba Seniors Hearing Aid Program is a provincial grant designed to help older Manitobans access hearing aids they might not otherwise be able to afford. The program is administered by Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care.

The grant covers up to $2,000 per person toward eligible hearing aid costs, including the assessment and fitting fees. It's not income-tested beyond a household income threshold, so a wide range of seniors qualify.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the Manitoba Seniors Hearing Aid Program, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• You are 65 years of age or older
• You are a Manitoba resident and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Your household net income was less than $80,000 in the previous tax year
• You have documented hearing loss, confirmed by a certified, licensed hearing aid dealer in Manitoba

If you and your spouse or partner both have hearing loss, you may each apply separately and each receive up to $2,000.

What About Private Insurance?

If you have extended health benefits that cover hearing aids, you can still apply. The program acts as a second payer: your private insurance pays first, and the grant covers the remaining eligible amount, up to the $2,000 maximum. So if your insurance covers $500, the grant can cover up to $1,500 of the remaining cost.

What Does the Grant Cover?

The $2,000 grant can be applied to:

• The hearing aid or aids themselves
• The hearing assessment required to document your hearing loss
• The fitting and programming of the hearing aids

What it does not cover (between claim periods):

• Replacement batteries
• Hearing aid repairs
• Ear mold replacements
• Loss or damage replacements

You can make one claim per person every five years. If you only need one hearing aid and the cost is under $2,000, the remaining balance may be used toward a second hearing aid within the same five-year window.

How to Apply: Step by Step

The application process has a specific order. Do not purchase your hearing aids before being approved, or the grant will not apply.

Step 1: Get a Hearing Assessment

Book a hearing assessment with a certified, licensed hearing aid dealer in Manitoba. Prairie Hearing Centres in Winnipeg offers free, comprehensive assessments with no referral required. Not sure how to evaluate a clinic? See our guide on how to choose a hearing clinic in Winnipeg. Your assessment results will document the degree of your hearing loss, which is required for the application.

Step 2: Get Your Proof of Income Statement from CRA

You'll need a Proof of Income statement from the Canada Revenue Agency for the previous full tax year. Note: a standard Notice of Assessment is not sufficient. The Proof of Income statement must show your birthdate and marital status.

How to get it:

• Online through My Account at CRA: canada.ca/my-cra-account
• By calling CRA at 1-800-267-6999
• In person at a Service Canada location

If you're married or in a common-law relationship, the statement must include both your income (line 23600) and your spouse's income (line 51050).

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

Download the Manitoba Seniors Hearing Aid Program Application Form from the Manitoba government website, or pick one up at a Provincial Services office.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Mail or deliver the following three documents together to the program office:

• Completed application form
• Proof of Income statement from CRA
• Hearing assessment document from your hearing aid dealer showing documented hearing loss

Mail or drop off to: Manitoba Seniors Hearing Aid Program, Provincial Services, 100 - 114 Garry Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4V4. You can also fax to 204-948-2143. Do not email your application documents — email (mbhear@gov.mb.ca) is for general inquiries only.

Step 5: Wait for Approval

Processing times vary. Once approved, you will receive a letter by mail. This letter is your approval confirmation.

Step 6: Bring Your Approval Letter to Your Hearing Aid Dealer

Take your approval letter to your hearing clinic before purchasing. The clinic will apply the grant amount (up to $2,000) at the point of sale and submit the claim form to the Manitoba government on your behalf.

Important: your hearing aid purchase must occur after you have been approved. Retroactive applications are not accepted. You have six months from the date of approval to make your purchase.

How Long Does the Process Take?

The timeline depends on how quickly you gather your documents and how fast the CRA Proof of Income arrives. Allow a few weeks from start to finish in most cases.

If your application is delayed by Canada Post disruptions (which can affect mail-based CRA statements), consider requesting your Proof of Income online through My CRA Account or visiting a Service Canada office in person.

What Happens If You're Not Approved?

If you're not approved initially, you're welcome to re-apply at any time. The program office will communicate the reason for the decision. For questions about eligibility or the status of your application, contact the program directly:

• Local: 204-945-5588
• Toll-free: 1-844-403-4327 (HEAR)
• Email (inquiries only): mbhear@gov.mb.ca

How Prairie Hearing Centres Can Help

At Prairie Hearing Centres in Winnipeg, we walk Manitoba seniors through the grant process from start to finish. Step one for you is to book a free hearing assessment. Your assessment gives you the documentation you need to apply. If your results show hearing loss that would benefit from hearing aids, we'll complete the hearing assessment document required for the application.

We can also help you understand which hearing aids are eligible under the program and work with you to choose a device that meets your hearing needs and lifestyle. Once you receive your approval letter, bring it in and we'll handle the claim submission on your behalf.

Other Financial Support Options for Manitoba Residents

The provincial grant isn't the only source of funding. Depending on your situation, you may also have access to:

Extended Health Benefits

Many employer, retiree, and union benefit plans include hearing aid coverage. Coverage amounts vary widely, but $500 to $2,000 per device is common. The Manitoba grant can supplement this as a second payer.

Veterans Affairs Canada

If your hearing loss is related to military service, VAC may cover the full cost of hearing aids and related services.

Campbell McLaurin Foundation

A Canadian charitable organization that offers grants of up to $2,150 per hearing aid for individuals who cannot afford them through other means.

Workers Compensation

If your hearing loss is linked to workplace noise exposure in Manitoba, the Workers Compensation Board may provide coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply if my income is over $80,000?

No. The program requires household net income below $80,000 in the previous tax year.

Can I choose any hearing aids?

Generally yes, with limitations. The grant applies to hearing aids purchased from a certified, licensed hearing aid dealer in Manitoba. Talk to your dealer about which devices are eligible.

What if I already bought hearing aids before applying?

Unfortunately, retroactive applications are not accepted. The purchase must occur after approval.

Can I use the grant for one hearing aid and save the rest for later?

Yes. If the cost of one aid is under $2,000, the remaining eligible amount can be used toward a second aid within the five-year claim window.

My husband and I both have hearing loss. Can we both apply?

Yes. Each person applies individually and may each receive up to $2,000.