Updated: March 2025 | bremo.io financial guides
Benefits for the Working Poor in Canada 2025
Being employed does not automatically mean financial security. Millions of Canadians work full-time or multiple jobs and still struggle to meet basic needs — the "working poor." If your income from work is low, you may qualify for a significant number of government benefits and programs that can meaningfully supplement your earnings.
Many working Canadians miss out on thousands of dollars in benefits each year simply because they do not know they qualify. This guide covers the major programs available to low-income working Canadians in 2025.
File your taxes every year. Most of the benefits below are calculated from your tax return. Even if you made very little money, filing your return is essential to receive what you are entitled to.
Federal Tax Credits and Benefits
Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)
The Canada Workers Benefit is a refundable tax credit specifically for low-income workers. If your working income is below about $33,000 (single) or $43,000 (family), you may qualify for a significant annual credit.
- Single individuals: up to $1,518/year
- Families: up to $2,616/year
- Disability supplement: up to $720/year additional for eligible workers with disabilities
- Advanced CWB payments: you can receive 50% of the estimated benefit in quarterly advance payments during the year rather than waiting until tax time
Apply by filing your taxes and completing Schedule 6. Request advance payments through CRA My Account.
GST/HST Credit
The GST/HST Credit is a tax-free quarterly payment for low-to-moderate income Canadians to offset the GST/HST they pay on goods and services.
- Single person: up to approximately $519/year
- Couple: up to approximately $680/year
- Per child under 19: approximately $179/year additional
Automatically calculated when you file your taxes. No separate application required.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
If you have children under 18, the CCB provides tax-free monthly payments. The amount depends on your income and number of children.
- Up to $7,787/year per child under 6
- Up to $6,570/year per child aged 6–17
- Amounts are reduced as income increases
Even working parents with modest incomes can receive significant CCB payments. File your taxes to receive this benefit.
Provincial Working Income Supplements
Ontario — Ontario Child Benefit and Ontario Trillium Benefit
Ontario provides additional income support on top of federal benefits:
- Ontario Child Benefit: up to $1,619/year per child under 18 for low-income families
- Ontario Trillium Benefit: combines property tax credit, energy cost relief, and sales tax credit into one monthly payment
- Ontario Works earnings exemption: if you are on OW and working, you keep the first $200/month earned before any deduction
Housing Help for Low-Income Workers
Working does not disqualify you from housing assistance:
- Canada Housing Benefit: available to low-income renters including those who are working; administered provincially
- Subsidized housing: most housing wait lists consider total income, not just employment status
- Co-op housing: geared-to-income units adjust to your income, even as it changes with work
Health Benefits
- Canadian Dental Care Plan: if you have no employer dental benefits and family income under $90,000, you may qualify regardless of employment status
- Provincial drug plans: most provinces have income-tested drug benefit programs for low-income workers
- Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB): covers prescription drugs for low-income Ontarians who are working but earn below the income threshold
Employment Insurance — Protect Yourself
If you are employed, EI premiums are automatically deducted from your paycheque. Make sure you understand your EI rights:
- You can receive EI if you are laid off (typically need 420–700 hours of insured work in the past 52 weeks)
- EI pays approximately 55% of your insurable earnings, up to a maximum
- Special EI benefits for illness, maternity/parental leave, and caregiving are also available
Free Tax Filing for Low Income
To access all these benefits, you must file your taxes — but if your income is low, you can file for free:
- Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP): free tax clinics operated by CRA-trained volunteers across Canada. Find a clinic at canada.ca/cvitp
- UFile, TurboTax, Wealthsimple Tax: all offer free online filing for simple returns
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