The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a provincial benefit that combines three tax credit programs into one lump sum payment. It includes amounts for the Northern Ontario energy credit, the Ontario energy and property tax credit, and the Ontario sales tax credit.
These funds are provided to help Ontario residents with expenses like sales tax, home energy costs, and property taxes.
Below, you'll find a list of benefit dates, information on the three included programs, and more.
Key Takeaways
- The Ontario Trillium Benefit is a collective payment of 3 provincial tax credits – the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit.
- Your payment amount is highly specific to your situation and based on which credits you receive.
- Payment dates usually fall on the 10th of every month.
- Apply for OTB by filing your taxes on time and submitting an ON-BEN application form.
Ontario Trillium Benefit payment dates
The monthly Ontario Trillium Benefit payment is deposited around the 10th of every month. To ensure you receive the payment, apply for the benefit before the deadline each year (usually April 30th).
Here are the 2025 dates:
January 10, 2025February 10, 2025March 10, 2025April 10, 2025May 9, 2025June 10, 2025July 10, 2025August 8, 2025September 10, 2025October 10, 2025- November 10, 2025
- December 10, 2025
The 3 tax credits in the Ontario Trillium Benefit
The OTB combines 3 tax credits into 1 single payment and is often called the "Canada PRO deposit." Here’s what each program entails.
Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)
What is NOEC? The NOEC tax credit provides financial assistance for low-to-moderate-income households in Northern Ontario. Energy costs are especially high in Northern Ontario and the government offers these credits as a way of lessening the financial strain.
Who is eligible for NOEC? Residents of these areas in Northern Ontario are eligible:
- Algoma
- Cochrane
- Kenora
- Manitoulin
- Nipissing
- Parry Sound
- Rainy River
- Sudbury (including the City of Greater Sudbury)
- Thunder Bay
- Timiskaming
What is the maximum NOEC deposit?
Couples and single individuals receive different NOEC amounts. For couples, NOEC will be paid to whoever completes the ON-BEN form.
Here are the amounts for 2024 (the 2025 amounts are yet to be published):
- Singles: $180, reduced by 1% of your income above $48,526
- Couples and single parents: $277, reduced by 1% of your income over $62,391
Learn more at Northern Ontario Energy Credit Questions and Answers.
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)
What is OEPTC? The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) offers financial assistance for low and moderate-income earners in Ontario, specifically to help cover the costs of property and sales taxes.
There are 2 components to the program: energy and property tax. Residents may be eligible for either of these components individually or combined.
Who is eligible for OEPTC? While we don't have details for 2025 quite yet, eligibility for receiving these benefits in 2024 included Ontario residence as well as these details:
- A resident of Ontario as of December 31, 2023 (universities and colleges count)
- 18+ years old
- A parent who lives or recently has lived with your child
- Currently or recently married or living with a partner
You'll also need to meet one or more of these requirements:
- Live in a public long-term care home (like a retirement home) and pay at least part of your accommodation costs
- Pay property tax for your main residence
- Rent a property where the landlord paid the property tax
- Live on a reserve and pay your home energy bills
What is the maximum OEPTC deposit?
OEPTC is calculated as an annual amount, but you’ll receive monthly payments.
Details for 2025 haven't been released yet, but these are the amounts provided in 2024:
- Non-seniors: $1,248 per year ($277 for energy tax + $971 for property tax)
- Seniors: $1,421 maximum ($277 for energy tax + $1,144 for property tax)
If you'd like to learn more, see Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit Questions and Answers.
Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)
What is OSTC? The Ontario Sales Tax Credit is a monthly payment that helps people with low-to-moderate incomes offset the costs of paying provincial sales tax on goods and services. It’s like the HST/GST credit but one does not affect the other.
Who is eligible for OSTC?
- Reside in Ontario
- 19+ years old
- Have filed your tax return
What is the maximum OSTC deposit? Amounts for 2025 haven't been announced yet, but recipients in 2024 received up to $360 per adult and child in the household – but if the family's net income was above certain thresholds, the benefit amounts were reduced by 4% of this net income.
- Single with no children: Credit reduced by 4% of adjusted net income over $27,729
- Single parent, married, or living with common-law partner: Credit reduced by 4% of adjusted family net income over $34,661
For couples, OSTC will be paid to the individual whose tax return is processed first.
If you'd like to learn more, see Ontario sales tax credit (OSTC).
How much is the Ontario Trillium benefit?
The Ontario Trillium Benefit in 2024 ranged from $10 to $3,272, depending on eligibility. The precise amounts for 2025 haven't been announced yet.
Your OTB payment will be the total sum of each benefit you qualify for: NOEC + OEPTC + OSTC. The more credits you qualify for, the higher the amount you’ll receive.
Your OTB payment amount depends on these factors:
- Age: Seniors 65+ receive $173 more than non-seniors for the OEPTC
- Marital/relationship status: Couples receive $97 more than singles for NOEC
- Family size: Children and adults are eligible for $360 for OSTC (income limits apply)
- Income: NOEC and OSTC payments are reduced for incomes over a certain threshold
- How much you pay as property tax or rent: Higher amounts paid in rent or property taxes can increase your OEPTC credit amount, up to a limit
- Your residence type: Only principal residences, nursing homes, Ontario reserves, and designated post-secondary school residences are eligible
The biggest OTB payments go to Ontario residents who fit these criteria:
- Senior status: Seniors receive a higher maximum for OEPTC
- Dependent children: Increases OSTC eligibility
- Northern Ontario residency: Qualifies for NOEC
- High rent/property taxes: Increases OEPTC
- Low income: Qualifies for full credit without phase-out
The minimum you can get could get in 2024 was $10. Your benefit was rounded up to $10 if the total amount was between $2.01 and $10. If your total OTB benefit amount is under $2, you will not receive a payment.
The maximum you could get was $3,272. This combines the highest possible amounts from each of the 3 credits, assuming no phase-out due to income and maximum eligibility for each part of the credit.
Calculate yours: Use the "Child and family benefits calculator" to find your precise benefit amount.
Ontario Trillium Benefit eligibility
Residence: You must have been a resident of the province of Ontario as of December 31 of the previous year.
Tax credits: You must qualify for at least 1 of the 3 tax credits (NOEC, OPETC, or OSTC).
The OTB year starts in July and goes through the following June. The 2025 details aren't available yet, but take a look at the 2024 year (July 2024 - June 2025) eligibility requirements.
| Ontario Trillium Benefit | Eligibility requirements |
|---|---|
| Northern Ontario Energy Credit eligibility | Be a resident of Northern Ontario AND 1 of the following before June 1, 2025: * Be 18 years or older * Have or previously had a spouse or be in a common-law relationship * Be a parent living with your child, or lived with your child during the benefit year Plus, one of the following details was true for you in 2023: * You rented or paid property tax for your main residence * You lived on a reserve and paid for home energy costs * You lived in a public long-term care home and paid for a portion of the rent |
| Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit eligibility | One of the following was true for you before June 1, 2025: * You're 18 years of age or older * You have or previously had a spouse or common-law partner * You're a parent living with or formerly lived with your child Plus, one of the following details was true for you in 2023: * You paid property tax for or rented your main residence * You paid home energy costs on the reserve where you lived * You lived in a public long-term care home and paid some of the rent |
| Ontario Sales Tax Credit eligibility | One of the following before June 1, 2025: * You're at least 19 years old * You have or previously had a spouse or common-law partner * You're a parent living with or formerly lived with your child |
How to apply for Trillium Benefit
To apply, you must submit the OTB application form with your income tax return – even if you don’t have any income to report.
How: Fill out the ON-BEN Application Form and enclose it in your tax package
When: Submit your documents by the tax deadline, which is April 30 for most Canadians
Who: You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, age 18+ and living in Ontario
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will assess the information from your tax returns to determine if you're qualified for the OTB and will communicate this to you.
FAQ
What is the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
The Ontario Trillium Benefit is the joint payment of the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit. These benefits are assessed based on your income tax for the previous year.
Who qualifies for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
The OTB benefits are only available to Ontario Residents. Specific requirements include being at least 18 years old, having filed your taxes for the most recent tax year, and being a current resident of Ontario.
How much is the Trillium Benefit in 2025?
The Ontario Trillium Benefit is one payment for 3 included tax credits. While amounts for 2025 haven't been announced yet, 2024 amounts ranged from $10 - $3,272, depending on the recipient's age, residency, and income.
How much will I receive for the Ontario Trillium benefit?
In 2024, recipients could get up to $3,272 if they fit the maximum benefit criteria. Most Ontarians living in the southern region received closer to $1,353, and those in the northern region typically receivde around $1,509.
How to apply for the Trillium Benefit?
To apply for the OTB, you have to file your income tax returns and fill out the ON-BEN Application form. These must both be submitted on or before the tax deadline of the applying year, which is April 30th.
What are the Ontario Trillium benefit payment dates?
Most often, the payment dates land on the 10th of each month, so if you're registered for direct deposit, look for your benefit to be paid on these dates. The next payment is scheduled for November 10, 2025.
How do I avoid delays on Ontario Trillium benefit payment dates?
Filing your taxes before the April 30th deadline will help avoid any delays with your application and subsequent payments. Setting up direct deposit will also help, as will choosing monthly payments (if you qualify for more than $360).
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