The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has released the next Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) payment on October 11, 2024.
This benefit offers vital financial support to low-income workers and their families across Canada, easing the burden of everyday expenses.
As part of the broader Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) program, the ACWB helps working Canadians increase their income and manage the rising cost of living.
For 2024, the annual maximum payment amount isย $2,461 for families and $1,428 for single individuals.
What Is the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)?
The ACWB is an advanced payment system tied to the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB), a refundable tax credit aimed at supporting low-income workers.
Turbo Tax Canada notes that by opting into ACWB, eligible individuals and families receive financial relief throughout the year rather than waiting until they file taxes.
Payment Schedule for 2024-2025
Payment Date
Coverage Period
July 12, 2024
First Quarter (2024)
October 11, 2024
Second Quarter (2024)
January 10, 2025
Third Quarter (2024)
How Much Can You Receive?
1. Basic CWB Benefit
The basic CWB amount depends on your income and family size.
2. Disability Supplement
For those eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), an additional amount is available:
Eligibility for the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)
To qualify for the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB), individuals must meet specific requirements as noted by Canada.ca.
The first criterion is income: you must be a low-income worker earning below the thresholds set for your province or territory.
Canada Revenue Agency to launch Advanced Canada Workers Benefit payments – https://t.co/HslGobgFcC pic.twitter.com/xtwH5XTzAe
โ Nairametrics (@Nairametrics) October 7, 2024
Age is another considerationโapplicants must be at least 19 years old or living with a spouse, partner, or dependent child. Residency is also crucial; you must reside in Canada throughout the year to remain eligible for the benefit.
However, some individuals are excluded from receiving the ACWB. Ineligibility applies to individuals incarcerated for over 90 days, full-time students enrolled for more than 13 weeks in a year without dependents, and diplomats or their family members who do not pay Canadian taxes.
These restrictions ensure that the benefit is directed to those who genuinely need financial assistance.
Eligibility Requirement
Details
Income
Earnings below your province or territoryโs threshold.
Age
At least 19 years old or living with a spouse, partner, or dependent child.
Residency
Must reside in Canada throughout the year.
Ineligibility Conditions
Incarceration (90+ days), full-time students without dependents, diplomats.
Maximizing Your ACWB Payments
To ensure you receive the maximum ACWB payments, itโs important to follow several best practices.
Filing your taxes early is crucial since the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) uses your income tax return to calculate your CWB and ACWB amounts.
If you filed before November 1. they will ensure that your advanced payments are processed promptly.
Using direct deposit is another key step. By signing up for direct deposit through the CRAโs My Account portal, you can receive your payments directly into your bank account, reducing delays caused by mailed checks.
Additionally, monitoring the payment dates and checking your CRA account ensures you are aware of when to expect payments and allows you to track any issues.
Keeping your personal information updated is equally important. Changes in marital status, dependents, or banking details should be reported to the CRA to avoid any interruptions or inaccuracies in your payments.
Additional Support: Disability Supplement Eligibility
The Canada Workers Benefit also includes a disability supplement for individuals with disabilities who are eligible for the disability tax credit (DTC).
To qualify for the CWB disability supplement, you must:
- Be eligible for theย disability tax credit (DTC)ย and have an approvedย Form T2201ย (Disability Tax Credit Certificate) on file with the CRA.
- Have aย net income below the set limitย for your province or territory of residence.
Life Changes That Impact Payments
Certain life events can directly affect your eligibility for ACWB payments.
If a recipient passes away before July 1 of the benefit year, all advanced payments stop.
Similarly, individuals who are incarcerated for more than 90 consecutive days or who emigrate from Canada become ineligible for future payments according to the source.
However, other changes, such as shifts in marital status or dependents, generally do not alter payments unless the recipient requests a reassessment of their benefit eligibility. This ensures consistency in payments unless major changes occur.
Life Event
Impact on Eligibility
Death
Payments stop if the recipient dies before July 1 of the benefit year.
Incarceration
Ineligibility begins after 90 consecutive days of imprisonment.
Emigration
Leaving Canada disqualifies recipients from future payments.
Marital/Dependent Changes
Does not affect payments unless reassessment is requested.