Benefits Guide
Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) 2026: Eligibility, Amounts and Payment Dates
Quick answer: The Ontario Trillium Benefit is a combined monthly payment that includes up to three provincial tax credits:
Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) 2026: Eligibility, Amounts and Payment Dates
If you live in Ontario and earn a low or modest income, there's a good chance you're eligible for a monthly payment that combines three separate provincial credits into a single deposit. It's called the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB), and it can put hundreds — sometimes over a thousand — dollars per year back in your pocket.
The reason many people miss out? They don't realise the OTB exists as a separate benefit, or they think it's the same as the GST/HST credit. It isn't. The Ontario Trillium Benefit eligibility in 2026 depends on different rules, covers different things, and can be received on top of your federal benefits.
This guide breaks down the three credits inside the OTB, who qualifies for each, how much you can receive, and when the payments arrive.
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) — helps with energy costs and property taxes
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) — offsets the Ontario portion of HST for low-income residents
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) — additional help with energy costs for Northern Ontario residents
Calculate your Ontario Trillium Benefit
See how much OTB you qualify for from all 3 credits combined.
Calculate My BenefitsYou may qualify for one, two, or all three of these credits depending on your situation. The CRA calculates them together and pays them as a single combined OTB payment — either monthly or as one annual lump sum.
The OTB is administered by the CRA on behalf of Ontario, even though it's a provincial benefit. You claim it on your federal tax return using the ON-BEN application (part of your Ontario tax return).
The Three Credits Inside the OTB
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)
This credit helps Ontario residents with the cost of energy and property taxes. You may qualify if you paid rent, property tax, or energy costs (like electricity or heating) for your principal residence in Ontario during the year.
Maximum amounts (2025 tax year, for 2026 payments):
| Category | Maximum Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Age 18–64 | $1,194 |
| Age 65 or older | $1,360 |
To qualify, you must have:
- Been a resident of Ontario on December 31
- Paid rent or property tax for your Ontario home, or lived in a public long-term care home, or paid for energy costs (electricity, heat, etc.) on a reserve
- Been at least 18 years old (or had a spouse/common-law partner, or been a parent living with your child)
Phase-out: The OEPTC begins to decrease when your adjusted individual or family net income exceeds a certain threshold. For 2025, the credit starts to phase out at incomes above approximately $26,535 (for singles) or $32,536 (for families), at a rate of 2% of income above the threshold.
Rent and property tax: The CRA uses your reported rent or property tax to determine your OEPTC amount. If you rent, you'll report your total rent paid for the year and your landlord's name. If you own, you'll report your property tax paid. This is done on the ON-BEN form when you file your return.
Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)
This credit offsets the Ontario portion of the Harmonised Sales Tax (HST) for low-income individuals and families. It works similarly to the federal GST/HST credit but is specific to Ontario.
Maximum amounts (2025 tax year, for 2026 payments):
| Category | Maximum Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Per adult (you + spouse) | $360 each |
| Per child under 19 | $360 |
So a family of four (two adults + two children under 19) could receive up to: $360 × 4 = $1,440/year.
To qualify, you must:
- Be a resident of Ontario at the beginning of the payment month
- Be at least 19 years old (or have a spouse/partner, or be a parent)
- Have filed a tax return
Phase-out: The OSTC begins to decrease when your AFNI exceeds approximately $32,536 (for families) at a rate of 4% of income above the threshold.
Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)
This is an additional credit for residents of Northern Ontario (districts like Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, North Bay, and others) to help with higher energy costs in the north.
Maximum amounts (2025 tax year, for 2026 payments):
| Category | Maximum Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Single person | $180 |
| Family (couple or single parent with children) | $277 |
To qualify, you must:
- Have lived in Northern Ontario on December 31
- Have paid rent or property tax for your principal residence, or paid for home energy costs on a reserve
- Meet the same age/residency requirements as OEPTC
Phase-out: The NOEC phases out at the same thresholds as the OEPTC.
Northern Ontario Energy Credit eligibility — for a dedicated deep-dive
OTB Income Thresholds and Phase-Out
Here's a simplified view of how your total OTB might look at different income levels for an Ontario resident:
Single renter, age 25, living in Toronto (OEPTC + OSTC only):
| AFNI | Approx. Annual OTB | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | ~$1,554 | ~$130 |
| $30,000 | ~$1,344 | ~$112 |
| $40,000 | ~$944 | ~$79 |
| $50,000 | ~$544 | ~$45 |
| $55,000+ | ~$0 | $0 |
Senior homeowner, age 68, in Sudbury (OEPTC + OSTC + NOEC):
| AFNI | Approx. Annual OTB | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | ~$1,900 | ~$158 |
| $30,000 | ~$1,640 | ~$137 |
| $40,000 | ~$1,240 | ~$103 |
| $50,000 | ~$840 | ~$70 |
These are rough estimates. Exact amounts depend on your specific rent/property tax paid, age, family composition, and AFNI.
How much OTB could you receive?
Enter your details for a free estimate of your Ontario Trillium Benefit — in under 2 minutes, no sign-up needed.
Who Is Eligible for the OTB?
General Requirements
To qualify for any component of the OTB, you must:
- Be a resident of Ontario on December 31 of the tax year (and at the beginning of the payment month)
- Be at least 18 years old on December 31 — or have a spouse/common-law partner, or be a parent living with your child
- Have filed your tax return for the previous year (including the ON-BEN form)
- Not be confined to a prison or similar institution for 90+ days during the year
Specific Requirements by Component
| Component | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|
| OEPTC | Must have paid rent, property tax, or energy costs on a reserve for your principal residence in Ontario |
| OSTC | No additional requirement beyond general eligibility |
| NOEC | Must have lived in Northern Ontario and paid rent/property tax/energy on a reserve |
Who Doesn't Qualify?
- Non-residents of Ontario (if you moved out of Ontario during the year, you may have partial eligibility)
- People who didn't file a tax return
- Foreign diplomats and their families (exempt from Canadian tax)
- People confined to prison for 90+ days
- Anyone who didn't complete the ON-BEN form on their return (the CRA won't calculate OTB without it)
OTB Payment Dates for 2026
The OTB is paid monthly on the 10th (or the last business day before the 10th if it falls on a weekend/holiday). Here are the 2026 dates:
Month
Payment Date
| January 2026 | January 9, 2026 | February 2026 | February 10, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | March 10, 2026 | April 2026 | April 9, 2026 |
| May 2026 | May 8, 2026 | June 2026 | June 10, 2026 |
| July 2026 | July 10, 2026 | August 2026 | August 10, 2026 |
| September 2026 | September 10, 2026 | October 2026 | October 9, 2026 |
| November 2026 | November 10, 2026 | December 2026 | December 10, 2026 |
Annual lump sum option: If your total annual OTB is $360 or less, the CRA pays it as one lump sum. You can also elect to receive your OTB as a single annual payment instead of monthly instalments when you file your return.
July recalculation: Like other income-tested benefits, the OTB is recalculated each July based on your most recently filed tax return. Your monthly amount may change starting with the July payment.
How to Apply (or Not Apply)
There's no separate application for the OTB. You claim it by completing the ON-BEN form (Ontario Benefits) as part of your annual tax return. Most tax software includes this form automatically if you indicate you're an Ontario resident.
On the ON-BEN, you'll be asked:
- Whether you paid rent or property tax in Ontario
- How much rent or property tax you paid for the year
- Your landlord's name (if renting)
- Whether you lived in a public long-term care home
- Whether you lived in Northern Ontario
If you don't complete the ON-BEN, you won't receive the OTB — even if you qualify. This is one of the most common reasons Ontario residents miss this benefit.
Students in residence: If you lived in a college or university residence, you generally can't claim rent for OTB purposes. However, if you rented an off-campus apartment, that rent qualifies.
Real-Life Examples
Example 1 — Young Renter in Toronto
Mei is 23 and rents a basement apartment in Scarborough for $1,200/month. She works part-time and her 2025 net income was $22,000. She's single with no children.
When she filed her 2025 return, she completed the ON-BEN and reported $14,400 in annual rent paid.
Mei's OTB breakdown:
- OEPTC: She qualifies — she's 18+, Ontario resident, paid rent. Her income is below the senior threshold but above the general phase-out start. Estimated OEPTC: ~$1,060
- OSTC: She qualifies. At $22,000 AFNI, she gets near the maximum: ~$350
- NOEC: She doesn't qualify — Scarborough is not in Northern Ontario
Total estimated annual OTB: ~$1,410 (about $118/month) Mei also receives the GST/HST credit ($519/year) and may qualify for the Canada Workers Benefit. Between the three, she receives over $3,500/year in combined support — simply because she filed her taxes and completed the ON-BEN form. GST/HST Credit Eligibility 2026Advanced Canada Workers Benefit 2026
Example 2 — Senior Homeowner in Sudbury
Robert is 70 and owns his home in Sudbury. He lives alone and his 2025 net income was $26,000, mostly from OAS and a small workplace pension. His property tax was $3,200 for the year.
Robert's OTB breakdown:
- OEPTC: He qualifies for the senior maximum. At his income level, estimated OEPTC: ~$1,280
- OSTC: He qualifies. Estimated: ~$340
- NOEC: He lives in Northern Ontario and paid property tax. Estimated: ~$170
- Total estimated annual OTB: ~$1,790 (about $149/month)
Robert also receives OAS, GIS, and the GST/HST credit. Combined with the OTB, his total annual benefit support exceeds $18,000. Old Age Security eligibility Guaranteed Income Supplement eligibility
What to Do Next
File your 2025 tax return before April 30, 2026 — and make sure the ON-BEN form is complete. Without it, no OTB. File your 2025 taxes by April 30, 2026 to keep benefits Gather your rent or property tax information. You'll need total rent paid for the year and your landlord's name, or your property tax amount. Have this ready before you file. Check CRA My Account to see your current OTB payment amount and schedule. If something looks wrong, call the CRA benefits line at 1-800-387-1193. Use Benefit Check to estimate your OTB alongside all other benefits you qualify for. Many OTB recipients also qualify for the GST/HST credit, CCB, and CWB. GST/HST Credit Eligibility 2026How to Check CCB Eligibility 2026
Ontario resident?
See all benefits you qualify for — OTB, GST/HST credit, CCB, CWB, and more. Free estimate in under 2 minutes.
FAQ
Do I need to apply for the OTB separately?+
No — but you must complete the ON-BEN form when you file your tax return. Most tax software includes it automatically for Ontario residents, but double-check that it's been completed. Without it, the CRA won't calculate your OTB even if you're eligible.
I rent but don't have official rent receipts. Can I still claim?+
Yes. You don't need to submit rent receipts with your return. You report the total rent paid and your landlord's name on the ON-BEN form. However, the CRA may ask you to provide receipts or proof later if they review your return, so keep records of payments (bank statements, etransfers, or cancelled cheques all work).
Can I receive the OTB if I live with my parents and don't pay rent?+
Generally, no — if you don't pay rent or property tax yourself, you won't qualify for the OEPTC component. However, you would still qualify for the OSTC (Ontario Sales Tax Credit) if you meet the basic eligibility requirements. So you'd receive a partial OTB.
I moved from Ontario to Alberta mid-year. Do I still get the OTB?+
Possibly, for the months you were an Ontario resident. The CRA determines eligibility month by month — you must be an Ontario resident at the beginning of each payment month. If you moved in June, you'd receive OTB payments from January through June and then they'd stop. Your new province may have its own credits.
What's the difference between OTB and the GST/HST credit?+
They're separate benefits. The GST/HST credit is federal and offsets the federal portion of sales tax. The OTB is provincial (Ontario) and includes the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (offsetting Ontario's portion of HST), plus the OEPTC and NOEC. You can — and should — receive both. Filing your tax return unlocks both automatically.
