Advertiser Disclosure

The content on this website includes links to our partners and we may receive compensation when you sign up, at no cost to you. This may impact which products or services we write about and where and how they appear on the site. It does not affect the objectivity of our evaluations or reviews. Read our disclosure.

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) Payment Dates, Amounts, and Eligibility 2023

In 2018, the federal government updated the Working Income Tax Benefit, making it more accessible and allowing more Canadians to apply. 

If you or your family earn a low income, you may be eligible for the Canada Workers Benefit. An enhanced version of the WITB, the CWB is a quarterly payment that helps low-earning working families and individuals. 

This article covers the Canada Workers Benefit, including exactly how much you can receive, the payment dates, how to apply, and more. 

What is the Canada Workers Benefit? 

The Canada Workers Benefit is a refundable tax credit that helps working families and individuals who earn a low income. Eligible Canadian families can earn up to $2,403, and eligible individuals can earn up to $1,395. 

There are two parts to the CWB: a basic amount and a disability amount.

You can claim the CWB during tax season when filing your annual income tax return. It is available for 2019 and subsequent years. 

The Canada Workers Benefit is an updated version of the previous Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB). It was for families with a working income over $3,000, available from 2007 to 2018. 

The WITB has evolved significantly since 2007, and it was restructured by the 2018 Canadian federal budget. The CWB now provides increased benefits and has higher eligibility standards. 

Canada Workers Benefit Payment Dates in 2023

Each year, the Canada Workers Benefit payment dates are as follows:

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

To see your personal payment information, log in to your account on the CRA website or the MyBenefits CRA mobile app. 

Eligibility for the Canada Workers Benefit

The Canada Workers Benefit eligibility is as follows. To qualify, you must:

  • Earn a working income
  • Be a Canadian resident throughout the entire year
  • Be 19 years of age or older on December 31, OR live with your spouse, common-law partner, or child 

You, your spouse, or your common-law partner are not eligible if they:

  • Are a full-time student at a designated educational institution for more than 13 weeks out of the year (unless you have an eligible dependant on December 31)
  • Have been in prison for 90 days or more that year 
  • Are not eligible to pay tax in Canada (because you are a servant or officer of another country or are an employee or family member of that person) 

An eligible dependant is:

  • Not eligible for CWB themselves 
  • Your, your spouse’s, or common-law partner’s child
  • Under 19 years old and lives with you on December 31

An eligible spouse is:

  • A Canadian resident throughout the year
  • Lives with you as your spouse or common-law partner on December 31

You may be eligible for the disability portion of the CWB if you have an approved Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, on file with the CRA and are eligible for the disability tax credit

A cartoon man with an arm raised beside text that says “Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)”

How is the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) Calculated? 

How much you can receive for the CWB depends on your province or territory of residence and your annual income.

The maximum basic amount for single individuals is $1,395, and the maximum basic amount for families is $2,403. This amount gradually reduces based on your income. 

The Canada Revenue Agency uses the following information to determine how much you will receive:

  • Your marital status and if you have an eligible spouse 
  • The province or territory you reside in 
  • Your earned working income 
  • Your family’s net adjusted income
  • Your eligible dependents 
  • Your eligibility for the disability tax credit 

You can use the Canada Workers Benefit calculator to estimate how much you can expect to receive. Or, use a calculation sheet for your province or territory of residence. 

Read more below for how much you can expect to receive based on the Canada Workers Benefit income thresholds. 

How Much is the CWB in 2023? 

The amount you can expect from the Canadian Workers Benefit depends on your income and the province or territory you live in. 

For single individuals

The maximum basic amount is $1,395, which gradually reduces if your adjusted net income exceeds $22,944.

You will not get the basic amount if you earn more than $32,244. 

The maximum disability supplement is $720, which gradually reduces if your adjusted net income exceeds $32,244. 

If you earn more than $37,044, you will not get the disability supplement. 

For families

The maximum basic amount is $2,403, which gradually reduces if your adjusted family net income exceeds $26,177.

You will not get the basic amount if your family earns more than $42,197.  

The maximum disability supplement is $720, which gradually reduces if your adjusted family net income exceeds $42,197.

If one spouse is eligible for the disability tax credit and the net family income is greater than $46,997, or if both spouses are eligible for the disability tax credit and the net family income is greater than $51,797, you will not get the disability supplement. 

The maximum basic amount and maximum disability supplement amounts will vary for those who live in Quebec.

How To Apply for the Canada Workers Benefit

If you are doing your taxes online, follow the instructions on your tax software to claim the CWB. If you are filing a paper return, fill out and submit Schedule 6, Canada Workers Benefit.  

You can claim the disability supplement in one of two ways: 

  • If you have an eligible spouse or common-law partner and only one of you is eligible for the disability tax credit, the eligible person should claim the disability supplement and the basic amount.
  • If you have an eligible spouse or common-law partner and both of you are eligible for the disability tax credit, both should claim the disability supplement. However, only one can claim the basic amount. 

If you are eligible, you can apply for advance payments to get up to half of your Canada Workers Benefit payments earlier than the scheduled dates. You can either:

  • Sign in to your account on the CRA website, complete, and submit your application
  • Fill out Form RC201 and mail it to the Sudbury Tax Centre (you must submit it by August 31)

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) vs Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) 

In 2019, the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) replaced the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB). The WITB was available from 2007 to 2018 for individuals and families with an income over $3,000. 

The CWB is an updated and restructured version of the WITB, which now automatically calculates if you are eligible for the CWB, even if you don’t claim it. 

The Canada Workers Benefit has a larger maximum of $1,395 instead of $1,059 for individuals and $2,403 instead of $1,922 for families. 

The CWB also has a higher income threshold before you lose eligibility. Individuals can now earn up to $32,244 instead of $19,076, and families can now earn up to $42,197 instead of $28,975.  

CWB FAQs

What is Canada Workers Benefit advance payment?

If eligible, you could get up to half of your CWB payments in advance. To apply for Canada Workers Benefit advance payments, sign in to your account on the CRA website and complete your application, or fill out Form RC201 and mail it to the Sudbury Tax Centre. 

Who can claim the CWB?

To qualify for the CWB, you must earn a working income, be a Canadian resident, and be 19 years of age or older on December 31, OR live with your spouse, common-law partner, or child. In addition, individuals must earn between $3,000 and $32,244, and families must earn between $3,000 and $42,197. 

What is low income for the CWB? 

Individuals earning between $3,000 and $32,244 and families earning between $3,000 and $42,197 are considered low income. 

What is the phone number for CWB? 

To get tax information for individuals, including the CWB, call 1-800-959-8281.

How much is the Canada Workers Benefit payment? 

The Canada Workers Benefit Payment varies depending on your income. Individuals can get up to $1,395, and families can get up to $2,403 as a basic amount. The maximum disability supplement is $720 for both families and individuals. 

When is CWB paid in 2023?

The CWB is paid on the 5th of April, July, October, and January.

Related:

Best Freebies and Deals This Month

Get a $20 bonus and up to 5% cash back with this free prepaid card

Best free reloadable prepaid card (use CASHBACK referral code for $20 bonus).

Earn unlimited 1% cash back on groceries and gas & up to 5% at partners.

Enjoy automatic savings and earn up to 2% interest on your balance.

Increase your credit score fast with Credit Building.

Best FREE chequing account offer in Canada with $400 cash bonus

$400 cash bonus when you deposit $100 for three months.

Forget about monthly account fees or minimum balance requirements.

Unlimited free debits and Interac e-Transfer transactions.

Earn high-interest rates on a free savings account (6.00% promo).

Get the prepaid card that pays interest and unlimited cash back

One of the best no-fee prepaid debit cards in Canada.

Get 0.50% unlimited cash back on all purchases.

Earn 2.50% interest on your entire balance.

No ATM withdrawal fees and no FX fees when you spend abroad.

Retirement 101 eBook - 3D

Author

Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu is a personal finance expert and a veterinarian. He has a master’s degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School (Scotland) and has completed several courses and certificates in finance, including the Canadian Securities Course. He also has an MSc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Manitoba and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Ibadan. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and has been writing about money matters for over a decade. He has been featured or quoted in Forbes, The Globe and Mail, Winnipeg Free Press, Wealthsimple, CBC News, Financial Post, Toronto Star, CTV News, Canadian Securities Exchange, Credit Canada, National Post, and many other personal finance publications. You can learn more about him on the About Page.

His top investment tools include Wealthsimple and Questrade. He earns cash back on purchases using KOHO, monitors his credit score for free using Borrowell, and earns interest on savings through EQ Bank.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.