Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit

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The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit was introduced in November 2021 to provide income support to workers whose employment is interrupted by specific government-imposed public health lockdown scenarios and who are unable to work due to such restrictions.

This benefit provides $300 per week to eligible workers. It’s available until May 7, 2022, and is retroactive to October 24, 2021.

The eligibility criteria are:

  • You reside in Canada, were present in Canada, you’re at least 15 years old, and you have a valid SIN

  • You did not receive EI, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit, Quebec Parental Insurance Plan benefits, or short-term disability benefits for the same period

  • You earned at least $5,000 in 2020, 2021 or in the 12 months before applying from any of the following sources:

    • Employment income

    • Net self-employment income (after deducting expenses)

    • EI benefits, including maternity and parental benefits

    • CERB, CRB, CRCB or CRSB

  • You filed a 2020 tax return

  • The region where you live or work is designated as a Covid-19 lockdown region (check the CRA website for eligibility) 

  • As a result of the designated Covid-19 lockdown in your region, you lost your job and were unemployed; you were self-employed but unable to continue your work; or you had a 50% reduction in your average weekly income compared to the previous year

  • You did not quit your job, voluntarily stop working, turn down reasonable work, refuse to return to work when asked by your employer, or fail to resume self-employment when it was possible – unless it was reasonable to do so

  • You got the Covid-19 vaccine or it is not required to continue your work

  • You were not self-isolating or in quarantine due to international travel

  • You file your 2021 tax return by December 31, 2022 or your 2021-22 tax returns by December 31, 2023 (depending on the year of your benefit)

Visit the CRA’s website for more information on applying.

Like other Covid-19 support payments, the amount of CWLB received is considered taxable income in the year you receive it. The payment will be subject to 10% withholding tax, but this will be adjusted to your actual tax rate on your tax return.