Ontario Trillium Benefit
Date Published: October 30, 2026•10 min read
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a tax-free payment that brings together three provincial tax credits: the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC), Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC), and Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC). The CRA pays the benefit on behalf of the Ontario government, usually on the 10th of each month. Payments for the 2026 benefit year run from July 2026 to June 2027 and are based on your 2025 tax return.
OTB at a Glance
Item | Figure (verified October 13, 2026) |
Who pays it | Canada Revenue Agency, for the Government of Ontario |
Benefit year | July 2026 to June 2027 (based on your 2025 return) |
Pay date | 10th of each month (earlier business day if the 10th is a weekend or holiday) |
Next payment | November 10, 2026 |
Max OEPTC | $1,307 (age 18 to 64), $1,488 (64+ as of December 31st of the applicable tax year) |
Max NOEC | $189 single, $290 family |
Max OSTC | $378 per adult and per child under 19 |
Lump-sum rule | $500 or less is paid as one payment in July |
How to apply | File your tax return + Form ON-BEN |
Taxable? | No |
Bank label | Usually "Canada PRO" |
Last verified: October 13, 2026. Sources: ontario.ca, Canada Revenue Agency.
What Is the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
The Ontario Trillium Benefit is one payment made up of as many as three separate credits. You only need to qualify for one of them to get paid. Ontario sets the rules and funds the program, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) runs it, and the amounts are indexed each year to Ontario inflation.
The Three Credits Inside the OTB
Credit | What it helps with | Who it's for | 2026 maximum |
OEPTC | Property tax and sales tax on home energy | Renters, homeowners, reserve residents and people in public long-term care | $1,307 (18 to 64), $1,488 (65+) |
NOEC | Higher home energy costs in the north | Residents of Northern Ontario | $189 single, $290 family |
OSTC | Sales tax paid on everyday purchases | Low- to moderate-income Ontarians | $378 per adult and per child under 19 |
A notable detail: the OSTC doesn't reduce your federal GST/HST credit payments. You can receive both.
Who Qualifies for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
Here's the short version. You were an Ontario resident on December 31, 2025, you filed a 2025 tax return, and you meet the age or family test for at least one of the three credits. Here's how each credit works.
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) Eligibility
To qualify for the OEPTC, you need to meet an age or family test at any time before June 1, 2027:
Age: You're 18 or older.
Relationship: You have, or had, a spouse or common-law partner.
Parent: You are, or were, a parent who lives or lived with your child.
You also need a 2025 housing cost in Ontario, such as:
Property tax: You paid property tax on your main home.
Rent: You paid rent, and your landlord paid property tax on the unit.
Reserve energy costs: You lived on a reserve and paid home energy costs.
Long-term care: You lived in a public or non-profit long-term care home and paid accommodation costs.
Living in subsidized housing? Some social housing providers don't pay property tax on the unit. Ask your landlord before you claim rent on Form ON-BEN.
Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) Eligibility
The NOEC has the same age and family requirements as the OEPTC, but you also need to have lived in Northern Ontario on December 31, 2025.
This includes the following 10 districts:
Algoma
Cochrane
Kenora
Manitoulin
Nipissing
Parry Sound
Rainy River
Sudbury
Thunder Bay
Timiskaming
Your address on the 1st of each month decides which payments you get. If you move from Thunder Bay to Ottawa on September 15, 2026, your NOEC arrives in September and stops in October.
Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) Eligibility
The OSTC age bar is 19 or older (not 18), unless you have (or had) a spouse or common-law partner, or are a parent living with your child. There's no separate application, since the CRA calculates it from your tax return.
Special Situations: Couples, Students, Seniors & Turning 18
A few households follow extra rules:
Couples: The OSTC goes to whichever spouse's return is assessed first. The OEPTC and NOEC go to the spouse who filed Form ON-BEN.
Seniors in a couple: When only one spouse was at least 64 at the end of 2025, they apply and receive both credits.
Students in residence: A designated student residence counts as a $25 housing cost.
Long-term care and reserves: Residents of a reserve or public long-term care home can get up to $290.
Turning 18: File a return before your 18th birthday so payments can start the next scheduled month after you qualify.
How Much Is the Ontario Trillium Benefit in 2026?
There's no fixed OTB amount. Your payment is the sum of the credits you qualify for, and each credit shrinks as your 2025 adjusted family net income rises.
For a personal estimate, use the CRA's official child and family benefits calculator.
Credit | 2026 maximum | Income where the reduction starts | Reduction rate |
OEPTC (under 64) | $1,307 | $29,047 single, $36,309 family | 2% of income over the threshold |
OEPTC (64+)* | $1,488 | $36,309 single, $43,571 family | 2% of income over the threshold |
NOEC | $189 single, $290 family | $50,833 single, $65,356 family | 1% of income over the threshold |
OSTC | $378 per person | $29,047 single, $36,309 family | 4% of income over the threshold |
Source: CRA 2026 calculation sheets. "Family" includes couples and single parents.
* Seniors (aged 64 or older on December 31, 2025)
Your OEPTC also depends on housing costs. The CRA counts 20% of your 2025 rent plus any property tax you paid.
Example: What Three Ontario Households Might Receive
We put together three examples to show what different Ontario households might expect, based on the CRA’s 2026 calculation sheets.
Household | OEPTC | NOEC | OSTC | Annual total | Monthly |
Single renter in Toronto, age 30. Rent $1,800/month, income $32,000 | $735.94 | Not eligible | $259.88 | $995.82 | About $82.99 |
Single senior homeowner in Sudbury, age 70. Property tax $3,500, income $28,000 | $1,257.00 | $189.00 | $378.00 | $1,824.00 | $152.00 |
Single parent with two kids renting in Hamilton. Rent $1,600/month, income $40,000 | $673.18 | Not eligible | $986.36 | $1,659.54 | About $138.30 |
The Sudbury senior gets the most thanks to the NOEC and the higher senior amounts, while each child adds up to $378 to the Hamilton parent's OSTC.
Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment Dates 2026
If you receive monthly OTB payments, November 10, 2026, is your next payment date. The CRA usually sends the money on the 10th, but pays earlier if that day falls on a weekend or holiday.
Below are all the payment dates for 2026.
Month | 2026 payment date |
January | January 9 (moved earlier) |
February | February 10 |
March | March 10 |
April | April 10 |
May | May 8 (moved earlier) |
June | June 10 |
July | July 10 (start of the 2026 benefit year) |
August | August 10 |
September | September 10 |
October | October 9 (moved earlier) |
November | November 10 |
December | December 10 |
Monthly Payments vs. One Lump Sum
How your OTB arrives depends on your yearly total:
$500 or less: You get one payment in July.
Over $500: You get monthly payments, unless you tick box 61060 on Form ON-BEN to receive one payment on June 10, 2027.
Same money either way: The total is the same, with no interest.
Timing of the election: Choose it when you first file (for 2025 returns, by December 31, 2026). Call the CRA to switch back to monthly.
Small amounts: $2 or less pays nothing. Over $2 but under $10 pays $10.
Why Your OTB Shows Up as "Canada PRO"
"PRO" stands for provincial. The CRA uses this label for benefits it pays on behalf of the provinces, including the OTB. Get the full breakdown in our Canada PRO deposit explained.
How to Apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit
There's no standalone OTB application. You apply by filing your income tax return every year, even if you had no income, and completing Form ON-BEN for the energy and property tax credits.
File your return by April 30: On-time filing means payments start in July.
Complete Form ON-BEN: Fill in the OEPTC and NOEC sections of Form ON-BEN. The OSTC is automatic.
Set up direct deposit: Add your banking details in CRA My Account.
Watch for your notice: Check your Notice of Assessment and track payments in CRA My Account.
The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program offers free filing help if you have a modest income.
Forgot to Claim It? How to Get Back Payments
You can usually claim missed credits for the previous 10 years. Don't file a new return. Request an adjustment through CRA My Account or send Form T1-ADJ to your tax centre.
Include Form ON-BEN and details such as:
Rent: The amount you paid and your landlord's details.
Property tax: The amount paid on your main home.
Reserve energy costs: Home energy costs paid on a reserve.
Long-term care: Accommodation costs paid to a public or non-profit home.
Why Is My Trillium Payment Late, Lower, or Missing?
The three most common reasons are that the CRA assessed your tax return late, applied your payment to an outstanding debt, or reduced your credits because your 2025 income was higher.
Cause | What to do |
Your 2025 return was assessed after June 19, 2026 | Wait. Your first payment comes 4 to 8 weeks after assessment and includes back months. |
The OTB went toward a CRA debt or family support arrears | Check CRA My Account. Any amount left over is paid to you. |
Your 2025 income went up | Compare your Notice of Assessment to last year's. Higher income means lower credits. |
You got one lump sum in July | Your yearly total was $500 or less, so the CRA paid it all at once. |
You moved or your marital status changed | Update your address or status in CRA My Account and give the exact date. |
You forgot Form ON-BEN | Request an adjustment through CRA My Account or Form T1-ADJ. |
You don't have direct deposit | Cheques are mailed, so allow extra time. Sign up for direct deposit in CRA My Account. |
If you qualify but haven't been paid by July 24 (or the 24th of any later month), contact the CRA benefit line at 1-877-627-6645.
Watch Out for Trillium Benefit Scams
Ontario.ca warns about fake text messages claiming you have an OTB "refund" waiting. The Government of Ontario doesn't text people to send a benefit or ask for personal information, so delete these messages without clicking.
Learn the other red flags in our guide to benefit scams.
When Your Trillium Payment Doesn't Stretch Far Enough
The OTB helps ease the cost of energy, property taxes, and sales tax. However, it won't necessarily be enough when an unexpected expense comes up. If money is tight, reviewing your budget and checking for other benefits you qualify for is a good place to start.
Some places to look first:
Other benefits: Check that you're getting the GST/HST credit and Canada Child Benefit if you qualify.
Free advice: A non-profit credit counselling service can help you plan.
Budgeting tools: The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada offers free budget planners.
If a short-term gap remains, iCash, a licensed online lender operated by Finabanx Ltd., is one option for Ontario residents. Learn about loans for government benefit recipients, including ODSP recipients, Ontario Works recipients, and seniors with CPP income.
Here's what it costs in Ontario:
Cost to borrow: $14 per $100 borrowed.
14-day example: A $500 loan for 14 days costs $70 in total, so you repay $570. That works out to a 365% APR.
62-day example: The same $70 cost on a $500 loan of 62 days equals an APR of 82.42%.
One at a time: You can have only one loan at a time.
Getting your funds: After approval, your funds are sent via Interac e-Transfer®. Learn more about how you receive funds.
Approval is not guaranteed, and conditions apply. Read our responsible use tips, check your cost with the loan cost calculator, and compare Ontario payday loans.
Apply Now or Calculate Your Loan Cost.
Ontario Trillium Benefit FAQ
Is the Ontario Trillium Benefit taxable?
No. You don't report the OTB as income.
Do I have to apply for the Trillium benefit every year?
Yes. File a tax return every year and include Form ON-BEN for the OEPTC or NOEC.
Can I get the OTB if I had no income?
Yes; you still need to file your return even if you have no income.
When is the next Ontario Trillium Benefit payment?
As of October 13, 2026, the next payment date is November 10, 2026.
Why did I get one big OTB payment instead of monthly?
Your yearly total was $500 or less, or you ticked box 61060 for one June payment.
What happens to my OTB if I move out of Ontario?
Payments stop the month after you leave. Give the CRA your exact move date.
Can students living in residence get the Trillium benefit?
Yes. A designated student residence counts as a $25 housing cost for the OEPTC, and students 19 or older may get the OSTC.
Is the Trillium benefit the same as the GST/HST credit?
No. The GST/HST credit (now called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)) is federal, the OTB is provincial, and you can get both.
How do I check how much OTB I will get?
Check your Notice of Assessment, CRA My Account, or the CRA's child and family benefits calculator.
Who do I contact about a missing Trillium payment?
Call the CRA benefit line at 1-877-627-6645 if you haven't been paid by the 24th.
In Closing
If you’re eligible for the OTB, make sure you’re receiving it. The benefit helps offset some of the money you spend on energy, property taxes, and sales tax, which can be a welcome relief when household expenses keep adding up.
There’s no lengthy application to worry about. File your annual tax return and complete Form ON-BEN for the credits that require it. You’ll also want to keep your address and banking information current with the CRA. If you haven’t signed up for direct deposit yet, now is a good time.
You can refer back to this page whenever you need to check an upcoming payment date. If you’re waiting for your next payment and an unexpected expense comes up, consider other available assistance first. iCash offers short-term loans with clearly stated fees if borrowing is an option you’re considering.
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