Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) Payment Dates 2026

For millions of low-income workers, tax season usually brings a nice refund. But what if you need that money during the year to pay for groceries and rent?

Enter the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB).

Formerly known as the WITB, this benefit is designed to support working Canadians who earn a low-to-modest income. Unlike the GST/HST Credit, which pays quarterly, the ACWB has a unique schedule consisting of three payments that act as an "advance" on your future tax refund.

Live ACWB Tracker: Countdown to Your Next 2026 Worker Benefit Deposit

This is the Official 2026 ACWB Payment Schedule, verified against Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) circulars. We break down the confirmed dates, the complex "50% Rule" that confuses almost everyone, and the specific income limits you need to stay under to qualify.

Note: Tracking all these different dates can be a headache. We recommend bookmarking our Master Payment Calendar 2026 to see every federal and provincial deposit in one place.

Official 2026 ACWB Payment Schedule

Save this table. Unlike other benefits, there are only three payments per year.

Why is there no April payment?

The ACWB does not issue a payment in April. This is because April is tax season. Instead of an advance payment, the CRA reconciles your account during tax filing and pays you any remaining balance as part of your tax refund.

Why January 12th?

Usually, the payment is on the 12th. However, in October 2026, the 12th is Thanksgiving Monday. To ensure you get your money before the long weekend, the CRA moves the deposit to Friday, October 9th.

Quick Answers: Common ACWB Questions

What are the ACWB payment dates for 2026?

The Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) is paid in three installments: January 12, 2026, July 10, 2026, and October 9, 2026. These payments represent up to 50% of your total estimated benefit, with the remaining balance paid after you file your 2026 tax return.

Who is eligible for the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit?

To qualify for the ACWB, you must be a resident of Canada, at least 19 years old on December 31st, and earn a working income (employment or self-employment) below the net income threshold set for your province (approx. $37,744 for singles and $49,393 for families in 2026).

How much is the Canada Workers Benefit 2026?

For the 2026 tax year, the maximum basic CWB amount is projected to be $1,633 for single individuals and $2,813 for families. If you are eligible for the disability supplement, you may receive an additional $843.

Is the Canada Workers Benefit taxable?

No. The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) and its advanced payments (ACWB) are tax-free. You do not report these payments as income on your tax return, and they do not affect your eligibility for other income-tested benefits like the Canada Child Benefit.

The "50% Rule": Why Was My Cheque So Small?

This is the number one complaint we hear about the ACWB: "My letter said I get $1,500, but I only got $250. Where is the rest?"

The ACWB is structured differently than any other benefit.

• The Concept: It is an Advance. The government is giving you money now that you would normally get later when you file your taxes.
• The Safety Net: To prevent "Overpayments" (where they accidentally give you too much and you have to pay it back), they only advance 50% of your estimated entitlement.

The Math (Example for a Single Worker):

1. Total Benefit: You qualify for $1,500 for the year.
2. The Advance (50%): The CRA takes half ($750) and divides it into 3 payments.
3. The Cheques: You get three payments of $250 (Jan, July, Oct).
4. The Balance: When you file your taxes the following spring, you get the remaining $750 added to your tax refund.

Street Reality: Do not spend that "expected" tax refund in your head before you file. Remember that because you got the money in July and October, your final tax refund in April might be smaller than you are used to.

How Much Will I Get? (2026 Maximums)

The CWB amounts are indexed to inflation. Based on the 2026 indexation factors, here are the projected maximums.

Single Individuals

• Max Annual Amount: ~$1,633
• Max Advance Payment: ~$272 per deposit (Jan, Jul, Oct).
• Income Limit: The benefit starts to decrease if you earn more than $26,855. It disappears completely if you earn more than $37,744.

Families (Couples or Single Parents)

• Max Annual Amount: ~$2,813
• Max Advance Payment: ~$468 per deposit (Jan, Jul, Oct).
• Income Limit: The benefit starts to decrease if your family income exceeds $30,639. It disappears completely if you earn more than $49,393.

Note: Residents of Alberta, Quebec, and Nunavut have slightly different caps because these provinces have configured the benefit to match their local cost of living.

The Disability Supplement (CWB-D)

If you have a verified disability, the CWB pays even more.

This is called the Disability Supplement, and it is separate from the new Canada Disability Benefit.

• Who gets it: You must have an approved Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate (Form T2201) on file with the CRA.
• The Amount: An extra $843 per year (max).
• The Advance: This adds roughly $140 to each of your quarterly ACWB payments.

Can I get both CWB-D and the new CDB?

Yes.

• The CWB-D is a "Worker's Benefit" (you must have a job).
• The CDB is a "Poverty Reduction Benefit" (income-tested).
• If you work part-time and have a disability, you can stack both cheques legally.

Eligibility: What Counts as "Working Income"?

To get the Workers Benefit, you must be working. You cannot get this if your only income is EI, Welfare, or Pension.

What Counts (Yes):

• Employment income (T4 slips).
• Self-employment income (Net business income).
• Tips and Gratuities (declared on taxes).
• Research grants (sometimes).

What Does NOT Count (No):

• Employment Insurance (EI).
• Old Age Security (OAS) or CPP.
• Social Assistance (OW/ODSP).
• Investment income (Stocks/Crypto).

The "Minimum Earned" Rule:

You typically need to earn at least $3,000 in working income to trigger the benefit. If you earned $500 for the whole year, the calculation usually results in $0 benefit.

Street Reality: Deposit Times

The ACWB uses the same direct deposit rails as the GST and CCB.

• Tangerine / PC Financial: Often deposit around 10:30 PM ET on the night before the official date (e.g., Sunday night for the Monday Jan 12 payment).
• Big Banks (RBC/TD/Scotiabank): Funds unlock between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM local time on payment morning.
• Ghost Deposits: If you don't see it by 9:00 AM, check your CRA My Account to see if the payment was actually issued. Sometimes, if your income changed drastically in the previous year, the CRA pauses the advance payments until you file your next return.

How to Apply (The "Schedule 6" Secret)

Unlike the CCB, you don't need to "apply" separately. However, you MUST fill out the right form when you file your taxes.

• The Form: Schedule 6 (Canada Workers Benefit).
• Tax Software: Most software (TurboTax, Wealthsimple) asks you: "Do you want to claim the Canada Workers Benefit?"
• The Trap: Many students and part-time workers click "No" because they think they aren't eligible or they are afraid of owing money back.
• The Advice: Always click "Yes" or let the software calculate it for you. It is free money for working.

Why did my payments stop?

The ACWB is recalculated every July based on the tax return you filed in April.

• If you filed your taxes late (after Nov 1), you missed the cutoff for the January payment.
• If you earned too much money last year, the system automatically cuts you off.

Provincial Variations: Alberta, Quebec & Nunavut

While the ACWB is a federal program, three provinces have signed agreements to alter the amounts to fit their specific economic needs.

• Alberta: The amounts and income thresholds are slightly higher to account for the higher average wage in the province.
• Quebec: The CWB is integrated with the Work Premium tax credit. You might see the payments labeled differently on your bank statement.
• Nunavut: The basic amount is significantly higher due to the extreme cost of living in the North.

Living in Ontario?

Ontario residents follow the standard federal rules, but you should also look into the Ontario Trillium Benefit which stacks nicely with the CWB for low-income workers.

The "Overpayment" Warning

This is the scary part. Because the ACWB is an advance, it is based on a prediction that your income will stay the same.

The Scenario:

• In 2024, you earned $25,000 (Low income). The CRA sets you up for ACWB payments in 2026.
• In 2025, you got a great new job earning $60,000 (High income).
• The Problem: The CRA doesn't know about your new job yet. They keep sending you the ACWB cheques in Jan, July, and Oct 2026.
• The Result: When you file your taxes in Spring 2027, the CRA realizes you earned too much to qualify. You will have to pay back all the ACWB money you received.

How to prevent this:

If your income jumps significantly, you can call the CRA at 1-800-387-1193 and ask them to stop your ACWB advance payments. It is better to stop them now than to owe a $1,000 tax bill later.

Need More Income?

If the ACWB isn't enough to cover your bills, the best solution is to increase your "Working Income" (which also increases your future CWB entitlement!).

👉 Find Daily Pay Jobs at BetterPayJobs.ca

About the Author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian labour market researcher and digital entrepreneur specializing in government benefit data and cost-of-living support. As the founder of CanadaPaymentDates.ca and BetterPayJobs.ca, Jeff helps newcomers, students, and workers navigate the Canadian social safety net—from tracking CRA payment schedules to finding entry-level work.

Sources

1. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) Eligibility
2. CRA Circular: Advanced Canada Workers Benefit Payments
3. Financial Consumer Agency: Budgeting for Benefit Payments

Note

Official 2026 payment dates and benefit amounts are determined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provincial governments. While we strive to keep this information current, government policies and schedules are subject to change without notice. All data in this guide is verified against official CRA circulars at the time of publication and should be treated as an estimate. We recommend confirming the status of your personal file directly via CRA My Account or by calling the CRA benefit line at 1-800-387-1193.