Canada Workers Benefit Payment Coming on October 10
1. Introduction: What’s changing
A new Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) payment is scheduled for October 10, 2025, aimed at helping low- to moderate-income working Canadians.
This advance is part of a system that allows beneficiaries to receive part of their Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) ahead of the annual tax reconciliation. Because of a recent increase in the benefit amounts, many people will see a higher payment in October than before.
If you qualify, you won’t need to fill out a new application—the system is mostly automatic, assuming your tax returns and CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) account details are up to date.
2. The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB): A refresher
The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is a refundable tax credit designed to support Canadians who work and earn modest incomes. It’s meant to boost the incentive to work by supplementing earnings.
The CWB has two main parts:
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Basic Benefit — based on income and family status
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Disability Supplement — extra amount for those eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
Normally, you calculate and claim CWB when filing your tax return. But to provide more timely support, parts of it are given as advance payments through the ACWB mechanism.
3. What is the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)?
The ACWB lets eligible people receive up to 50% of their annual CWB entitlement in advance, distributed in three installments during the year.
These installments help ease day-to-day financial pressure rather than waiting until the end of the year. The remaining portion is settled when your tax return is processed.
4. Payment schedule for 2025 / 2026
Here are the ACWB payment dates for the 2025 benefit year:
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October 10, 2025 — the final advance installment of 2025
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January 10, 2026 — first installment for 2026
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July 11, 2026 — second installment for 2026
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October 12, 2026 — third installment for 2026
If a payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, it is processed on the preceding business day.
According to the official benefit payment dates page on Canada.ca, the ACWB payments are on January 10, July 11, and October 10 in 2025.
5. Increased benefit amounts for 2025
In 2025, the government enhanced the CWB to provide greater support. These are some of the updated maximums:
Basic Benefit (2024 benefit year, for 2025 payments):
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Single individuals: up to $1,590 Families: up to $2,739
Disability Supplement:
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Up to $821 for both single individuals and families (subject to income thresholds)
These amounts are phased out gradually beyond certain income levels. For example, the basic benefit begins to reduce when adjusted net income exceeds $26,149 and is eliminated entirely above $36,749 (for singles, excluding province adjustments).
6. Eligibility criteria
To receive the ACWB (and the underlying CWB), you must meet several conditions:
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Have working income (employment or self-employed) in the benefit year.
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Be a resident of Canada for the relevant periods (on first day of quarter, etc.).
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Either be 19 years or older by December 31, or live with a spouse/common-law partner or child.
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Your net income must be below the threshold for basic and/or disability benefit.
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You should not have been a full-time student for more than 13 weeks (unless you have an eligible dependant).
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You should not have been confined in prison for ≥ 90 days. You should not have tax-exempt income (like certain diplomatic incomes, etc.)
Because ACWB is an advance, you must also be a resident at the start of the quarter to get that quarter’s payment.
For couples, only one spouse will receive the ACWB payments for the family. If one spouse qualifies for the disability supplement, that spouse receives the combined amount.
7. How the October 10 payment is calculated
Because the ACWB distributes 50% of your CWB entitlement in advance, each of the three payments typically represents about one-third of that 50%.
In other words, the October 10 payment is roughly 16–17% of your total CWB (including any disability supplement) — though the exact amount depends on:
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Your income
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Province or territory (some provinces use adjusted thresholds)
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Whether you qualify for the disability supplement
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Your family size and marital status
Estimates suggest:
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Singles might get $250–$300
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Families might receive $400–$500
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If you qualify for the disability supplement, you may get an extra $120–$150 in that advance payment
8. Provinces with different rules
Some provinces or territories may have adjusted thresholds or rules because of provincial tax agreements or benefit programs (e.g., Quebec, Alberta, Nunavut).
Be sure to check the rules in your province to know how much you might receive or whether thresholds differ.
9. What to do to ensure you receive it
To make sure you get the October 10 payment:
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File your tax return for the benefit year (2024) and claim the CWB via Schedule 6 (or the applicable section).
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Ensure your CRA My Account information is updated (address, marital status, dependants).
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Set up direct deposit — payments are faster that way. If you don’t, the payment may come as a cheque, which can delay it.
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Confirm your banking information is correct. Mistakes (wrong account, closed account) can delay or block payment.
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Keep track in your CRA “Benefits & Credits” section to see upcoming payment dates.
10. What if payment is delayed or missing
If October 10 comes and you haven’t received payment:
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Wait at least 10 business days — sometimes processing or banking delays happen. Check your CRA My Account for status updates.
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Verify your direct deposit details and address.
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If all seems correct and you still don’t have the payment, contact CRA (e.g. 1-800-959-8281) to inquire.
11. Impact for low-income workers and families
This October payment can provide meaningful relief:
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It helps bridge cash flow gaps during the year instead of waiting for tax season.
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For many, it may cover essential costs like groceries, rent, utility bills, or transit passes.
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Because the benefit amounts were increased for 2025, the October payment will generally be higher than in previous years, giving extra support when it’s needed.
For example, a single person qualifying for full basic CWB might receive $250–$300 in October. A family might see $400–$500, plus extra if eligible for the disability supplement.
12. Common misconceptions & clarifications
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“It’s a new one-time benefit.”
No — this is a regular advance installment under the ACWB. Some misinformation has circulated about new “bonus” payments. -
“Everyone gets the full maximum.”
No — you receive a portion based on your income, province, family status, and disability eligibility. -
“You must apply separately for the October payment.”
No — the system is automatic if your tax return and CRA records are correct.
13. FAQs
Q1. Will I always get October 10 payments if I qualify?
Yes, as long as you meet eligibility, have your tax return filed, and your CRA information is correct.
Q2. Can I opt out of receiving advance payments?
CRA’s system generally distributes these automatically. If you don’t want advances, you’d need to discuss options directly with CRA (but many just accept it).
Q3. Does the October payment reduce what I get at tax time?
Yes — it’s an advance. The total CWB is reconciled when you file your tax return.
Q4. If my circumstances change (move, marital status), does that affect it?
Yes — changes may affect your eligibility or amount. Update your CRA account promptly.
Q5. Will this payment be taxed?
No, the CWB and ACWB are refundable tax credits, so they’re not taxed as income.
Q6. Do students qualify?
Not full-time students for more than 13 weeks unless you have a dependent.
14. Looking ahead: What happens after October
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After the October advance, any remaining balance of your CWB will be paid after your tax return is processed in 2026.
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In 2026, similar advance payment dates will apply: January 10, July 11, and October 12, 2026.
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Be sure to file your 2025 tax return correctly to trigger the balance payment.
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Keep informed of any further policy changes or benefit reform announcements.
15. Conclusion
The October 10, 2025 ACWB installment offers timely financial support to many working Canadians. Because of the recent increases to the CWB, eligible individuals and families should see notably higher amounts than in prior years.
To make sure you receive this benefit, file your tax return, keep your CRA account updated, and ensure your direct deposit info is correct. If a payment doesn’t arrive, check CRA My Account and contact them if needed.
