# Canada Workers Benefit: how it is paid, how much, and who qualifies

Source: https://canadapaymentdates.com/workers-benefit
Publisher: Canada Payment Dates (canadapaymentdates.com), independent editorial site
Topic: Canada Workers Benefit
Last updated: 2026-10-20

> The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is a refundable federal tax credit for low-income workers, worth up to $1,633 for a single person and $2,813 for a family for 2025, rising to $1,665 and $2,869 for 2026. Up to half is paid in advance in three deposits (January 12, July 10 and October 9 in 2026) and the rest when you file your return.

## Key facts

- Maximum basic CWB, 2026 tax year: $1,665 single, $2,869 family
- Maximum disability supplement, 2026: $860
- 2026 advance payment dates: January 12, July 10, October 9
- Share paid in advance: Up to 50% of your expected CWB
- Where you claim it: Schedule 6, line 45300 of your tax return

## What is the Canada Workers Benefit?

The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is a refundable tax credit that tops up the earnings of people who work but earn a low income. Refundable means you receive it even if you owe no income tax. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) calculates it from your tax return and pays part of it ahead of time as the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) ([CRA, line 45300](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-45300-canada-workers-benefit-cwb.html)).

The CWB has two parts. The **basic amount** goes to eligible workers and families. The **disability supplement** is an extra amount for workers who have an approved Disability Tax Credit certificate (Form T2201). You can receive both in the same year.

Unlike the Canada Child Benefit or the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, the CWB depends on having earned income. Someone with no employment or self-employment income gets nothing from it, however low their total income is.

## How is the Canada Workers Benefit paid?

The CWB is paid in two pieces: up to 50% as advance payments during the year, and the balance as part of your tax refund or balance owing after you file. You do not apply for the advances; the CRA starts them automatically when your previous return shows you are entitled ([CRA, how to claim](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-45300-canada-workers-benefit-cwb/how-to-claim.html)).

The three advance payments for one tax year arrive in July, October and the following January. The Department of Finance described this pattern when advances began in July 2023, and said the advances are based on the income in the previous year's return ([Finance Canada, July 2023](https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2023/07/low-income-workers-to-receive-first-enhanced-canada-workers-benefit-payments.html)).

At tax time you report every advance received, shown on your RC210 slip, and the CRA pays or credits whatever is left of your full-year entitlement. The mechanics of the RC210 and line 41500 are covered in how the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit works.

## Canada Workers Benefit payment dates in 2026

In 2026 the CRA issues Canada Workers Benefit advance payments on Monday, January 12, Friday, July 10, and Friday, October 9 ([Canada.ca benefits payment dates](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/calendar.html)). The January payment is the last advance for the 2025 tax year; July and October are the first two advances for the 2026 tax year.

| Date | Tax year it advances | Based on |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monday, January 12, 2026 | 2025 | 2024 tax return |
| Friday, July 10, 2026 | 2026 | 2025 tax return |
| Friday, October 9, 2026 | 2026 | 2025 tax return |
| January 2027 | 2026 | 2025 tax return; day not yet announced |

Canada Workers Benefit advance payment dates, 2026

As of October 20, 2026, the CRA has not published the January 2027 date; next year's calendar usually appears late in the year. Direct deposit arrival, missing payments and the full date history are on the CWB payment dates page.

## How much is the Canada Workers Benefit for 2025 and 2026?

For the 2025 tax year the maximum basic CWB is $1,633 for a single person and $2,813 for a family, and the disability supplement adds up to $843 ([CRA, how much you can get](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-45300-canada-workers-benefit-cwb/how-much-you-can-get.html)). For 2026 the CRA indexed these amounts by 2.0% ([CRA indexation table](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/frequently-asked-questions-individuals/adjustment-personal-income-tax-benefit-amounts.html)).

| Item | 2025 tax year | 2026 tax year |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Maximum basic amount, single | $1,633 | $1,665 |
| Maximum basic amount, family | $2,813 | $2,869 |
| Reduction starts, single | $26,855 | $27,392 |
| Reduction starts, family | $30,639 | $31,251 |
| Maximum disability supplement | $843 | $860 |
| Secondary earner exemption | $16,386 | $16,714 |

Federal CWB figures (all provinces except Quebec, Alberta and Nunavut)

The benefit builds up at 27% of working income above $3,000 until it reaches the maximum, then shrinks by 15% of adjusted net income above the reduction threshold. Those rates come from the 2021 federal budget enhancement ([Budget 2021, Annex 6](https://www.budget.canada.ca/2021/report-rapport/anx6-en.html)). Worked examples at different incomes are on how much is the Canada Workers Benefit.

> **Quebec, Alberta and Nunavut:** These three jurisdictions have their own versions of the CWB with different amounts and cut-offs, calculated on separate Schedule 6 forms (5005-S6, 5009-S6 and 5014-S6). The figures above apply everywhere else.

## Who qualifies for the Canada Workers Benefit?

You can claim the CWB if you had working income, were a resident of Canada for the whole year, and were 19 or older on December 31 or lived with a spouse, common-law partner or child ([CRA, who is eligible](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-45300-canada-workers-benefit-cwb/who-is-eligible.html)). Your net income must also be under the cut-off for your province and family type.

- Full-time students for more than 13 weeks of the year are excluded unless they have an eligible dependant on December 31.
- People confined to a prison or similar institution for 90 days or more in the year are excluded.
- Officers or servants of another country who are exempt from Canadian tax are excluded.

Couples get one family amount, claimed by one spouse. Full details, including how an eligible dependant is defined, are on Canada Workers Benefit eligibility.

## How do you get the CWB and the advances?

You get the Canada Workers Benefit by filing a tax return. Certified tax software fills in Schedule 6 for you; on paper you complete Schedule 6 and carry the result to line 45300. The CRA then decides your eligibility and sends any amount owed automatically.

1. File your return every year, even if your income is very low, because the CWB and the advances both come from it.
2. Set up direct deposit in CRA My Account so advances land on the payment date.
3. File before November 1 of the benefit period; the CRA says a return received after that will not qualify you for that period's advances.
4. Keep the RC210 slip you receive each winter and report it on your next return.

If you also have a disability, the CWB disability supplement is added through the same schedule once your Disability Tax Credit is approved.

## Canada Workers Benefit guides on this site

- [CWB payment dates](https://canadapaymentdates.com/workers-benefit/cwb-payment-dates): every 2026 advance date, arrival times and what to do if a deposit is missing.
- [Advanced Canada Workers Benefit](https://canadapaymentdates.com/workers-benefit/advanced-canada-workers-benefit): how the 50% advance is set, the RC210 slip and line 41500.
- [How much is the Canada Workers Benefit](https://canadapaymentdates.com/workers-benefit/cwb-amount): maximums, income limits and step-by-step calculations.
- [CWB eligibility](https://canadapaymentdates.com/workers-benefit/cwb-eligibility): age, residency, student and spouse rules.
- [CWB disability supplement](https://canadapaymentdates.com/workers-benefit/cwb-disability-supplement): who gets the extra amount and how it is advanced.

For every other federal deposit in the same months, see the [CRA payment dates](https://canadapaymentdates.com/payment-calendar) calendar.

## Common questions

### Is the Canada Workers Benefit taxable?

The CWB is a refundable tax credit, so it reduces your tax or is paid to you; it is not added to your income. Advance payments are reported on line 41500 only so the CRA can subtract them from your full-year credit.

### Do I have to apply for the Canada Workers Benefit?

No separate application exists. You claim it on Schedule 6 when you file, and the CRA starts advance payments on its own if your return shows you are entitled.

### Why did I get a CWB payment in January?

The January deposit is the third and final advance for the previous tax year. The January 12, 2026 payment, for example, was an advance on the 2025 CWB and appears on your 2025 RC210 slip.

### Can both spouses get the Canada Workers Benefit?

No. A couple receives one family basic amount, and only one spouse claims it. Each spouse who qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit can claim their own disability supplement.

### Is the CWB the same as the Working Income Tax Benefit?

The CWB replaced the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) starting with the 2019 tax year. The RC210 slip still carries the older WITB name in its CRA web address.

## Sources

- [CRA, Line 45300 Canada workers benefit](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-45300-canada-workers-benefit-cwb.html)
- [CRA, CWB how much you can get](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-45300-canada-workers-benefit-cwb/how-much-you-can-get.html)
- [CRA, Indexation adjustment for personal income tax and benefit amounts](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/frequently-asked-questions-individuals/adjustment-personal-income-tax-benefit-amounts.html)
- [Canada.ca, Benefits payment dates](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/calendar.html)
- [Finance Canada, first enhanced CWB advance payments (July 2023)](https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2023/07/low-income-workers-to-receive-first-enhanced-canada-workers-benefit-payments.html)
- [Budget 2021, Annex 6 tax measures](https://www.budget.canada.ca/2021/report-rapport/anx6-en.html)