Housing Help
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FederalTax credit Canada-wide (Federal)Verified June 2026

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) and Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)

This is a tax credit that adds to your income if you work and earn a low income. It is not just for housing, but it gives you more take-home pay that can go toward rent. For 2025 you can get up to $1,633 if you are single and up to $2,813 for a family. People who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit can get up to $843 more. Up to half can be paid to you during the year.

What you get

Up to $49,389

Who it's for

You qualify if you work, earn a low income, live in Canada all year, and are 19 or older by December 31 (or live with a partner or child).

Start your application

This takes you to the official website

Depends on your household size and income.

What to have ready

Documents they may ask for

  • Government ID for everyone in your household, if available
  • A copy of your lease or rent agreement
  • Recent rent receipt, ledger, or proof of what you owe
  • Recent pay stubs, benefit statement, or income proof
  • ODSP, Ontario Works, CPP, OAS, or other benefit statement if you have one
  • Recent bank statement, if the program asks for it

What to say when you call

Hi, I found your housing support program and I want to check if I can apply. Can you tell me the current rules, documents needed, and the next step?

Use the official page first, then call 211 if you are not sure where to start.

Can I get this?

You have a good chance if this sounds like you:

  • Amounts differ in Quebec, Nunavut, and Alberta

What to do next

Check off each step as you go — we'll remember where you are.

Checkmarks are saved only on this device. We collect nothing.

The fine print

More details about the money

For the 2025 tax year, maximum basic amount: $1,633 for single individuals and $2,813 for families. Disability supplement: up to $843 (single) and up to $843 (family), reduced once adjusted net income exceeds about $37,740 (single) or $49,389 (family). Amounts are reduced as income rises above the thresholds. Up to 50% can be received in advance through the ACWB.

Amounts and eligibility change. Confirm the current figure with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on it.

The full eligibility rules

Low-income workers who are Canadian residents throughout the year, are 19 or older by December 31 (or live with a spouse, common-law partner, or child), and have earned working income. For 2025, the basic amount is reduced once adjusted net income exceeds $26,855 (single) or $30,639 (family), and is nil above $37,742 (single) or $49,393 (family). A disability supplement is available to those eligible for the Disability Tax Credit. Maximum amounts differ for residents of Quebec, Nunavut, and Alberta.

Good to know

All 2025 figures confirmed on the official CRA 'how much you can get' page read directly in-browser: $1,633 single / $2,813 family basic amount; phase-out thresholds $26,855/$37,742 (single) and $30,639/$49,393 (family); disability supplement $843 single and $843 family. The draft's specific advance-payment dates were removed because they were not on this page; ACWB advance payments are confirmed but exact dates should be confirmed on the CRA payment-dates page. Amounts and thresholds change annually and differ for Quebec, Nunavut and Alberta residents.

Official sources we checked
Official program page
This is a summary to get you started — the official page always has the final say. Spot something wrong? Tell us.
This guide is published by Mithulan Perinpanayagam, CPA, CA, who also co-founds Foundation Capital, a private real-estate firm that operates rental housing. Foundation Capital does not set its rents based on anything on this site. This guide is information only — not financial, legal, tax, or benefits advice, and using it does not create a professional relationship. Always confirm current details with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on them.

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