CWLB: What the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit Means for Workers

The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) was a temporary federal income support program created during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the program is no longer active, Canadians still search for information about how it worked, who was eligible, and whether similar benefits exist today.

This guide explains the CWLB in clear terms, including eligibility rules, payment amounts, and what to do if you didn’t receive benefits you believe you qualified for.

What Was the CWLB?

The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit provided $300 per week to eligible workers who couldn’t work because their region entered a government-mandated lockdown. It was designed to replace lost income for people who:

• Were unable to work due to lockdown restrictions, and
• Didn’t qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.

The CWLB applied to both employees and self-employed individuals.

CWLB Eligibility: Who Qualified?

You were eligible for the CWLB if:

• Your region was officially designated as a COVID-19 lockdown zone for the period you applied.
• You lost at least 50% of your income due to the lockdown.
• You didn’t qualify for EI during that same period.
• You were 15 or older, lived in Canada, and had a valid SIN.
• You earned at least $5,000 in the previous year (employment, self-employment, or similar income).

You were not eligible if you:

• Voluntarily quit your job,
• Refused to work when it was reasonable to return, or
• Received EI benefits for the same period.

How Much Did the CWLB Pay?

The CWLB provided:

• $300 per week,
• Taxable at source,
• With payments issued by the CRA after approval.

Workers could apply only for weeks designated as lockdown-affected by the federal government.

Is the CWLB Still Available?

No.
The CWLB program ended on May 7, 2022. Applications are now closed, and the federal government has not announced a replacement benefit specific to lockdowns.

However, workers who believe they were wrongly denied CWLB payments or experienced repayment issues may still have options through the CRA’s review or appeal process.

What If You Lost Income and Didn’t Receive CWLB Payments?

You may be able to:

• Request a reassessment from the CRA,
• Provide additional documents to support your claim, or
• File a formal objection if you believe the CRA made an error.

If your employment was affected in a way that involved reduced hours, termination, or a refusal to accommodate medical needs during the pandemic, you may also have employment law rights — including possible severance pay.

When to Contact an Employment Lawyer

If a pandemic-related job loss, forced change to your role, or refusal to return you to your position affected your income, an employment lawyer can:

• Review whether you’re owed full severance pay (as much as 24 months)
• Explain your rights if you were pressured to resign,
• Assess accommodation issues related to medical or family needs.

Need Help Understanding Your Rights?

Non-unionized employees across Canada often discover they’re owed much more compensation than employers initially offer — especially in situations involving layoffs, reduced hours, or termination.

If you have questions about severance, employment rights, or how government benefits like the CWLB intersected with workplace issues, you can speak confidentially with an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.