Canada Workers Benefit (CWB): Who Qualifies, How Much You Can Get, and How to Claim It (2025 Guide)

Understanding the Canada Workers Benefit

The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is a federal refundable tax credit. Its goal is simple: to provide additional financial support to low-income individuals and families who are actively earning employment or business income.

Because it is refundable, the CWB can still be paid even if no income tax is owed. In addition to the basic benefit, some taxpayers may also qualify for a disability supplement, provided they are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Who Can Claim the CWB in 2025

In most cases, you may qualify for the Canada Workers Benefit if:

• You were a resident of Canada for the entire tax year

• You were 19 years of age or older at the end of the year

Individuals under 19 may still qualify if they had a spouse, common-law partner, or an eligible dependent during the year.

The CWB is intended strictly for low-income earners, so eligibility is also based on income thresholds.

Who Is Not Eligible

You generally cannot claim the CWB if:

• You were a full-time student at a designated educational institution for more than 13 weeks during the year, unless you had an eligible dependent at year-end

• You were incarcerated for 90 days or more during the tax year

• You were a diplomat, officer, or employee of a foreign government, or a family member of such a person, and were not required to pay Canadian income tax

CWB Amounts - 2025 TAX

For the 2025 tax year (excluding Nunavut, Alberta, and Quebec, which use separate calculations), the maximum benefit amounts are as follows:

Single Individuals

• Maximum benefit: up to $1,633

• The benefit begins to phase out once net income exceeds $37,742

• No CWB is available if adjusted net income exceeds $65,577

Families

• Maximum benefit: up to $2,739

• The phase-out begins when adjusted family net income exceeds $29,833

• No basic CWB is available if adjusted family net income exceeds $65,595

An eligible dependent generally refers to a child under 19 years of age who lived with you on December 31 and is not eligible to claim the CWB themselves.

The CWB Disability Supplement

The disability supplement is an additional amount available to low-income workers who have an approved Disability Tax Credit Certificate (Form T2201) on file with the CRA.

To qualify:

• The disability must be certified by a medical practitioner

• Form T2201 must be approved by the CRA

• The disabled individual (or their supporting spouse or partner) must earn a minimum amount of working income

Income Limits for the Disability Supplement (2025)

For single individuals:

• The supplement begins to phase out when adjusted net income exceeds $36,748

• No supplement is paid if income exceeds $73,177

For families:

• Phase-out begins when adjusted family net income exceeds $65,595

• No supplement is paid if:

  • One spouse qualifies for the DTC and family income exceeds $73,195, or

  • Both spouses qualify for the DTC and family income exceeds $80,795

The CRA provides online tools and calculators to help determine eligibility and estimate benefit amounts.

How to Claim the Canada Workers Benefit

To claim the CWB, you must complete Schedule 6 when filing your annual income tax return.

Schedule 6 calculates:

• Your working income and adjusted family income

• Your basic CWB entitlement

• Any applicable disability supplement

The final amount from line 28 or line 42 of Schedule 6 is reported on line 45300 of your tax return. Most tax software will automatically complete this schedule if you qualify.

Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)

Eligible taxpayers may receive up to 50% of their CWB in advance payments, referred to as the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB). This includes:

• 50% of the basic CWB

• 50% of the disability supplement, if applicable

To receive advance payments:

• Your tax return must reflect your province of residence as of December 31

• You must be a resident of Canada on the first day of the payment quarter

ACWB Payment Dates

Advance payments are issued three times per year:

• July 12

• October 11

• January 10

If a payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment is issued on the last business day before that date.