The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is a refundable tax credit for low-income individuals and families who are working. "Refundable" means you get the money even if you owe no tax — and most eligible Canadians now receive part of it automatically throughout the year rather than waiting for their refund.
2026 CWB Amounts
| Single | Family | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum basic amount | ~$1,665 | ~$2,869 |
| Disability supplement | ~$860 | ~$860 (per eligible individual) |
⚠️ Note: CRA indexes CWB amounts and thresholds each year based on inflation, typically finalizing exact 2026 figures late in the year. The amounts above reflect standard indexation from the confirmed 2025 amounts ($1,633 single / $2,813 family). Always confirm the exact current-year number using the CRA's CWB calculator before relying on it for planning.
Who Qualifies
- Age 19 or older by December 31 (or living with a spouse/common-law partner or your own child)
- A resident of Canada for tax purposes throughout the year
- Working income above $3,000 for the year (or $1,150 for the disability supplement specifically)
- Not a full-time student for more than 13 weeks in the year, unless you have an eligible dependant
- Not incarcerated for 90 days or more during the year
How the Benefit Phases In and Out
The CWB isn't a flat amount — it phases in as your working income rises above $3,000, reaches its maximum, then phases out again as your net income climbs past a threshold (around $27,000 for singles and $31,000 for families, adjusted for 2026 indexation), reaching zero once your income is too high to qualify.
✅ Tip: The disability supplement phases in starting at just $1,150 of working income — much lower than the $3,000 threshold for the basic amount — so even a small amount of work income can trigger it if you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit.
How to Claim It
You claim the CWB by completing Schedule 6 with your T1 income tax return. Most tax software calculates it automatically once you enter your income and province.
Advance Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)
If you qualified for the CWB on your prior year's return, the CRA automatically issues advance payments — no separate application needed. These are paid in quarterly instalments (typically July, October, and January) equal to 50% of your estimated benefit based on your last tax return, with the remainder settled when you file.
~$1,665 / ~$2,869
Maximum basic CWB for singles / families in 2026
~$860
Disability supplement, on top of the basic amount
Quarterly ACWB
Automatic advance payments, no separate application
Schedule 6
Claimed with your T1 return
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