Canada Workers Benefit (CWB): Eligibility & Payment Dates

What Is The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)?

The Canada Workers Benefit, or CWB, is a government-funded refundable tax credit paid to employed low-income earning Canadian individuals and families to help them afford the costs of living for themselves and their families.

The CWB program is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the federal government. It was introduced in 2019 to replace the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB). This replacement aimed to provide a more effective and streamlined administration of the previous program.

Eligible individuals and families can claim the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) when filing their annual income tax returns. Unlike the CPP Survivor Benefit, which is paid for life, this social assistance benefit needs to be renewed every year.

Canada Workers Benefit Structure

The Canada Workers Benefit is categorized into two parts:

• A basic amount
• A disability supplement

The CWB Basic Amount

The basic amount is available to every individual or family eligible for the Canada Workers Benefit. The amount you receive depends on your employment or family income, age, marital status, and the number of eligible dependents you may have.

Your benefit amount will be clawed back at certain percentages as your family, or individual income becomes greater than a set threshold until you no longer qualify to receive any benefit payments due to your high income.

The Disability Supplement

Suppose you and your spouse or common-law partner are eligible to receive the Canada Workers Benefit and either of you has some form of disability. In that case, you may receive additional benefit payments as disability supplements.

However, for you or your spouse or common-law partner to receive the CWB disability supplement, you must be qualified to receive the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) Payment Dates For 2022

Eligible individuals and families may choose to receive their Canada Workers Benefit payments as a lump sum every year, paid via direct deposit.

You can also request to receive your CWB advance payments every quarter during the year. In this case, you may receive up to half of your CWB payment amounts in four payments throughout the benefit year.

Canada Workers Benefit CWB payments are usually made on the 5th of the month.

For example, if you are eligible for the CWB in 2023, you may receive your advance payments on the following dates:

• January 5, 2023
• April 5, 2023
• July 5, 2023
• October 5, 2023

If your payment has been delayed, you should wait for at least ten working days before contacting the CRA. You can also receive payment date reminders by subscribing to the benefit, and credit payment dates reminders email list here.

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) Eligibility Requirements 

To be eligible to receive the Canada Workers Benefit, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a Canadian resident throughout the year.
• You must earn an employment or working income.
• You must be at least 19 years old by December 31 or live with your spouse, common-law partner, or child.

According to the CWB, an eligible spouse or common-law partner is one who:

• By December 31, lives with you as your spouse or common-law partner.
• Is a Canadian resident throughout the year.

Also, an eligible dependent is:

• Your child or your spouse's or common-law partner's child.
• Below the age of 19 years and lives with you by December 31.
• Not qualified to receive the Canada Workers Benefit.

You and your spouse or common-law partner will not be eligible to receive the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) if you:

• Are a full-time student at any designated educational institution for more than 13 weeks in the year except if you have an eligible dependent by December 31.
• Are incarcerated or in any kind of correctional facility for 90 days or more within the year.
• Are not a taxpaying Canadian resident because you're an officer or servant of another country, like an ambassador, or you are a family member or an employee of that person.

To be eligible to receive the CWB disability supplement, you must be eligible to receive the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and file an approved Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate with the CRA.

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB): How Much Can You Receive? 

The amount you may be eligible to receive is dependent on:

• Your individual family income
• Your residential province or territory
• Your marital status
• Your earned working or employment income
• Your eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
• The number of eligible dependents you have

If you are eligible for the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB), the maximum amount you may receive is: 

• $1,395 if you are single
• $2,403 If you have a family

If you are single, your benefit amount will gradually decrease once your adjusted net income becomes greater than $22,944. If your net income exceeds $32,244, you will not receive any benefit payments.

If you have a family, your benefit amount will be gradually decreased once your adjusted family net income becomes greater than $26,177. However, you will not receive any benefit payments if your adjusted family net income exceeds $42,197.

Basic CWB Amount In Different Provinces

Residents of Quebec will receive a different benefit amount for the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB).

You can calculate your Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) amount based on your residential province or territory using the calculation sheet or using the child and family benefits calculator.

CWB Disability Supplement Amounts

If you're eligible for the Canada Workers Benefit disability supplement, the maximum amount you may receive is:

• $720 if you are single
• $720 if you have a family

If you are single, your disability supplement will be gradually reduced when your net income exceeds $32,244. If your net income becomes greater than $37,044, you will not receive any benefit payment.

If you have a family, your benefit amount will start reducing once your adjusted family net income becomes greater than $42,197. You will receive no benefit payment once your net family income exceeds $46,997.

How To Claim The Canada Workers Benefit

To receive the CWB, you must do any of the following:

• Do your taxes online and complete the instructions found in your certified tax software.
• Complete and submit the Schedule 6 Canada Workers Benefit, if you are filing your tax returns by paper.

For the disability supplement, 

• If either you or your eligible spouse or common-law partner is qualified to receive the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the qualified person should claim both the basic amount and the disability supplement.
• If both you and your eligible spouse are qualified for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), only one person will claim the basic amount, but both of you must claim the disability supplement using a separate Schedule 6. 

How to Apply For The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) Advance Payments

If you are eligible to receive the Canada Workers Benefit or CWB, you can request to receive your benefit payments as advance payments. This way, you can receive about half of your Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) in quarterly payments.

You can apply to receive the CWB advance payments online or by mail.

Applying Online

To apply online to receive the Canada Workers Benefit advance payments, do the following:

• Step #1: Log into your CRA My Account.
• Step #2: Navigate to the ‘Canada workers benefit advance payments application' section.
• Step #3: Fill out, complete and submit your application.

Applying By Mail

To apply by mail, follow the steps below:

• Step #1: Fill out and complete Form RC201, Canada Workers Benefit Payments Application. If applying for the disability supplement, fill out Part 3 of the form.
• Step #2: Mail the completed form to:

Sudbury Tax Center 

PO Box 20000, STN A 

Sudbury ON P3A 5C1

You must complete your Form RC201 and submit it to the CRA by August 31. If you submit your form later than August 31, your form will not be processed. You also have to apply every year to receive the payments.

If both you and your spouse or common-law partner are eligible for the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB), you will have to complete and submit only one application.

Canada Workers Benefit Increase 2023

In 2023, the maximum basic amount you may receive is $1,428 for single individuals. The amount is gradually reduced if your adjusted net income is more than $23,495. No basic amount is paid if your adjusted net income is more than $33,015.
In the case of families, the maximum basic amount in 2023 is $2,461. The amount is gradually reduced if your adjusted family net income is more than $26,805. No basic amount is paid if your adjusted family net income is more than $43,212.
The maximum amount for the disability supplement is $737 for both single individuals and families. The CWB disability supplement is gradually reduced if your adjusted net income is more than $33,018 in the case of individuals and $43,210 in the case of families. No disability supplement is paid if your adjusted net income is more than $37,932 in the case of individuals and $48,124 in the case of families.

In Summary

The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) aims to provide refundable financial support to low-income working Canadians to help them offset the costs of living expenses. The benefits program is funded by the Canadian government and administered by the CRA on their behalf.

The amount paid out mostly depends on the earned incomes of the recipients, their marital status, and their residential provinces and territories. You may also receive an additional amount if you or your spouse or common-law partner suffer from any form of disability.

Eligible individuals will have to apply every year to receive the benefit. They will also have to file their annual income tax returns. If you receive this benefit, take into account that this counts as taxable income and that you'll have to pay it back.

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) FAQs

Is the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) paid monthly?

No, the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is not paid monthly. If you choose to receive your Canada Workers Benefit payments as advance payments, you will receive your payments quarterly.

Do I have to pay back the CWB?

Yes, you have to pay back Canada Workers Benefit. The CWB is a refundable tax credit and, unlike other benefits as the Alberta seniors benefit, which is tax-free, you will have to include these payments as taxable income when filing your income tax returns. You also have to pay taxes deductible from the CWB income you earn.

Can both spouses claim the Canada Workers Benefit?

No, both spouses cannot receive the Canada Workers Benefit basic amount simultaneously. Only one of the two eligible partners will receive the benefit payment. However, if both you and your spouse or common-law partner qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), you can both claim the CWB disability supplement.

How much is the Canada Workers Benefit in 2023?

If you are eligible to receive the Canada Workers Benefit in 2023, you may receive a maximum amount of $1,428 for the basic amount if you are single and $2,461 if you have a family. If you are eligible for the disability supplement, you may receive a maximum amount of $737 whether you are single or have a family.