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October has arrived, and with it comes a slew of federal benefit payments Quebecers can receive this month, including payments from the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit.
This refundable tax credit is designed to help lower-income individuals and families across the country, giving them a financial boost to cope with the rising cost of living.
For eligible Canadians, the upcoming government benefit payment could put extra cash in their pockets this fall, helping with everyday expenses. While the CWB is available in all provinces and territories, the payment amounts and income thresholds are a bit different in Quebec from elsewhere in the country.
Here’s everything you need to know about the October 2024 Canada Workers Benefit payment, including how it works and how much you could receive as a resident of Quebec.
What is the Canada Workers Benefit?
The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is a refundable tax credit that helps individuals and families across Canada who are working but earning a low income. It’s designed to give workers a bit of extra financial support by providing a basic amount, as well as a disability supplement for those who qualify.
What is the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit?
The Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) lets eligible individuals receive part of their Canada Workers Benefit ahead of tax time.
Instead of waiting until you file your tax return, you can automatically get up to 50% of your total CWB in three payments throughout the year. These payments are spread out to help you manage everyday expenses, and you don’t need to apply for the advanced payments — if you’re eligible, the payments are issued automatically.
Who is eligible for the Canada Workers Benefit?
To qualify for the CWB, you must meet a few basic conditions. First, you need to have earned a working income, and your net income must be below the limit set for your province or territory. You also need to be a resident of Canada throughout the year, and either be 19 or older on December 31 or live with a spouse, common-law partner or child.
However, there are some situations that make you ineligible. You won’t qualify if you were a full-time student for more than 13 weeks of the year (unless you had an eligible dependant on December 31), if you were in prison for at least 90 days during the year or if you don’t have to pay Canadian taxes because of your role as a diplomat or similar position.
How to apply for the Canada Workers Benefit
Applying for the Canada Workers Benefit is simple — you just need to claim it when you file your taxes. If you file your return electronically, your certified tax software will guide you through the steps to claim the CWB. If you prefer to file a paper return, make sure to fill out and submit Schedule 6, which is specifically for the Canada Workers Benefit.
If you’re also eligible for the disability supplement, the process is similar, but keep in mind that if you have an eligible spouse, only one of you can claim the basic amount, while both of you can claim the disability supplement on separate forms if you’re both eligible.
You don’t need to apply separately for the advance payments under the ACWB program — these will be sent out automatically if you’re eligible. Just make sure to file your tax return before November 1 of the benefit period to receive those payments.
More about applying for the CWB
How much is the Canada Workers Benefit in Quebec?
The amount you can receive from the CWB depends on your income and where you live in Canada. Here are the maximum basic amounts you can get in Quebec, depending on your family situation:
- If you’re single without children, the maximum basic amount you can get in Quebec is $3,521.87. This starts to decrease if your income is over $13,294.87, and you won’t get anything if your income is above $30,904.22.
- A couple without children can get up to $5,494.27 for the basic amount. This begins to decrease if your net family income is above $20,412.45 and maxes out at an income of $47,898.80.
- If you’re a single parent, the maximum basic amount is $1,888.40. This amount is reduced if your income is more than $13,400.24, and no amount is paid if your family income is over $22,842.24.
- For a couple with children, you can get up to $3,522.38. This starts to decrease if your family’s income is over $20,563.57, and you won’t get anything it’s above $38,175.47.
There’s also a disability supplement available, which can add a maximum of $787.70 per eligible person and is also subject to reduction based on income.
Given that the ACWB quarterly payments are for around 1/6 of your yearly entitlement, for the October 2024 payment, eligible recipients could receive up to:
- $586.98 if you’re single without children
- $915.71 for a couple without children
- $314.73 if you’re a single parent
- $587.06 for a couple with children
- $131.28 extra for each person who qualifies for the disability supplement
These amounts vary for other provinces and territories, as they have different maximums and income thresholds. You can always use the CRA’s benefit calculator to get a more accurate estimate based on your specific situation.
More about ACWB payment amounts
Is the Canada Workers Benefit taxable?
No, the Canada Workers Benefit is not taxable. As a refundable tax credit, it’s actually designed to reduce the amount of tax you owe, or give you a refund if you don’t owe any tax.
When are the Canada Workers Benefit payment dates?
The next Advanced Canada Workers Benefit payment date is October 11, 2024.
This is the final payment for 2024, with the following payment scheduled for January 10, 2025.
More about federal benefit payment dates
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