In most cases, receiving an OTB notice means that your eligibility for the Ontario Trillium Benefit has changed. Understanding the reason behind the notice can help you take the right steps to move forward.
The OTB combines three tax credits – the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, and the Northern Ontario Energy Credit– into a single payment. Sometimes the CRA uses updated tax information to adjust the benefits you receive from this program.
Neglecting to keep your information current can result in lower credit amounts or even missing out on these benefits entirely.
Key Takeaways
- An OTB notice contains an update or a request for additional information regarding your participation in the Ontario Trillium Benefit program.
- If you receive an OTB notice, you'll likely have to log into your CRA account to look for further details about your benefits.
- You may be required to pay back OTB funds if your eligibility has changed and you received payments in error.
What is an OTB notice?
An OTB notice is a letter sent to eligible Ontario residents about benefits they may be entitled to under the Ontario Trillium Benefit program.
If you receive an OTB notice in the mail, read it carefully, as your benefit details may have changed.
Why did I receive an OTB notice from the CRA?
The most likely reason you received an OTB notice is due to a change in your benefits status or a change in your application for benefits.
This list explains a few common reasons for receiving an OTB notice:
- Your benefits have been approved: You've applied for the OTB, and it's been processed and approved.
- There's been an update to the status of your application: Your application was received and/or is being processed.
- The benefits you receive are changing: Program details have changed, resulting in your benefit payments changing.
- You were overpaid and now need to pay back the CRA: An explanation of why the clawback is happening and the amounts you need to pay.
- Your eligibility status has changed: Changes to your personal details now disqualify you from receiving these benefits.
There may be other reasons for your OTB notice, but it likely concerns one of these common situations.
What benefits does OTB include?
The OTB program helps Ontarians ease the expense of energy, property, and sales taxes. It consists of three individual credit programs.
Here are the three different benefits encompassed by the OTB program:
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit: A tax-free payment to help those living in select Northern Ontario communities with especially high home energy costs.
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit: Provided to Ontarians as a means of helping with their property taxes and the sales tax paid on energy costs.
- Ontario Sales Credit: A tax-free payment provided to help Ontarians with the sales tax they pay.
All benefits are provided as one lump sum, no matter how many you qualify for. Payments from any or all of these programs may be labelled as "Canada Pro Deposit" on your bank statements.
You can learn more about these benefits on the Ontario government's Ontario Trillium Benefit page.
What to do about your OTB notice
The first thing to do if you receive an OTB notice is to log into your CRA My Account – it will have the most current information regarding your OTB notice.
Here are three actions you may need to take:
- Log into your My CRA account to correct any incorrect personal information you note regarding your OTB eligibility.
- Log into your account and use online banking to make any required claw back payments.
- If you cannot fix your issue within your account, contact the Province of Ontario at 1‑866‑ONT‑TAXS (1‑866‑668‑8297).
How much are the OTB payments
How much you receive as an OTB benefit depends on several eligibility criteria. You must qualify for at least one of the three credit programs included in the OTB.
Eligibility factors aside, these are the maximum monthly OTB payments for 2025, based on family status and/or age:
| Individual benefit | Amounts |
|---|---|
| Northern Ontario Energy Credit | * Individual: $185 * Families: $285 |
| Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit | * Ages 18-64 years old: $1,283 * Age 65+: $1,461 * Live on a reserve: $285 * Live in public long-term care: $285 * Lived in a school residence: $25 |
| Ontario Sales Tax Credit | * Individuals: $371 * Families: $742 |
If you received an OTB notice in 2024 approving your benefits, you’ll get at least $10 per month – unless your annual amount is under $2, in which case you won’t receive a payment.
If your benefit is between $2 and $10, you’ll still get the $10 minimum.
Why you may have to pay back your OTB benefits
Most requests to pay back OTB benefits are related to changes in your eligibility.
For the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, you may need to pay back your benefits if:
- You and your family move south to a location not encompassed by the Northern Ontario Energy Credit
- You or your family move out of the province entirely
In some circumstances, the CRA may revoke some payments made in lump sums. This will only happen in these circumstances:
- You move to another province (outside of Ontario)
- You declare bankruptcy
- You're incarcerated for 90 days or more
- You pass away
OTB payment dates for 2025
OTB payments are typically made on or near the 10th of each month. Here are the precise payment dates for OTB benefits in 2025:
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
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What is an OTB notice?
An OTB notice is correspondence from the government to inform you of updates to your benefits status in the Ontario Trillium Benefit program. This could be sent as an email or letter through Canada Post.
Why did I get a CRA OTB notice email?
You may receive an OTB notice email to tell you that your benefit amounts have changed, to request you update your personal information, to ask for repayment, etc. You can log into your CRA account for more details.
Why do I have to pay back OTB?
If you moved outside of Ontario, changed your marital status, or otherwise made changes that affect your eligibility, you may have to repay. Sometimes, you won't have to repay but will change to monthly payments vs. an annual lump sum.
Who is eligible for the OTB?
Since the OTB provides one payment for three different benefit programs, their eligibility requirements can vary. The criteria are different for each program, but all must be Ontario residents who are at least 18 years old.
Why am I getting OTB?
Anyone eligible for one of these three benefit programs will receive OTB payments: the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and/or the Ontario Sales Credit. These deposits may be labelled as "Canada Pro Deposit."
When will I receive my OTB payment?
The payment dates change annually, but OTB payments are made on or near the 10th of each month. In 2025, they began on January 10 and will continue until December 10 – the upcoming payment is set for November 10th.
Can I still apply for the OTB if my income changes throughout the year?
Yes, you can still apply. However, your income level is a big part of the eligibility criteria, so you may find that you're no longer eligible or that your payments are less than you expected due to this income change.
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