Those considering going back to work full time will soon have an extra incentive.

The new Manitoba Job Restart program is offering $2,000 to encourage qualified residents to get off CERB and return to their pre-COVID work.

"It's become increasingly evident that the CERB program... has some disincentives as well," Premier Brian Pallister says. "And it's actually preventing some Canadians from returning to work on a more full-time basis."

CERB participants lose their benefits if they earn more than $1,000 a month, meaning a move to full-time work could mean less money coming into their household.

"This is hurting some of our employers and employees from resuming the relationship of work that gave people the opportunity to support themselves and be self-reliant in the workplace, and that is hurting our economy."

Pallister says the Manitoba Job Restart program will provide an initial $500 plus three additional bi-weekly payments for $500 each for a total of $2,000 over six weeks.

However, Pallister says participants must voluntarily stop collecting the CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit) or CESB (Canada Emergency Student Benefit) from the federal government.

Applicants must have actively returned to work in Manitoba to a job with at least 30 hours per week.

Applicants can begin applying for the Manitoba Job Restart program starting at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 26 until July 31.