Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) Payment Dates 2025

The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) provides financial assistance to Ontario residents. The CRA has officially announced the Ontario Trillium Benefit payment dates (OTB) for 2025. OTB payments are for Ontario residents, while Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) payments assist all Canadian households. The CRA has announced additional guidelines for 2025, including payment amounts and eligibility.

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Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment Dates

The OTB payment date falls on the 10th of every month. Here is the OTB payment schedule for 2025.

Month

Payment Date

January

January 10, 2025

February

February 10, 2025

March

March 10, 2025

April

April 10, 2025

May

May 9, 2025

June

June 10, 2025

July

July 10, 2025

August

August 8, 2025

September

September 10, 2025

October

October 10, 2025

November

November 10, 2025

December

December 10, 2025

OTB payments are scheduled for the 10th of each month. If the payment date falls on a holiday, it will be moved to the last business day before the scheduled date.

Useful Tip: Regularly check your CRA account for payment updates. The CRA will send updates about upcoming payment dates and the latest changes. 

Ontario Trillium Overview

Below is an overview of the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB):

Aspect

Details

Name

Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)

Administered By

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the Province of Ontario

Start Date

Introduced through Ontario Regulation 468/11 under the Taxation Act, 2007, effective December 2011 

Purpose

Provides financial relief for energy costs, property taxes, and sales taxes.

Components

OEPTC, NOEC, OSTC

The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) was launched to provide financial assistance to Ontario residents and their families. OTB conveniently combines three credits into a single payment. The three credits are:

  • Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)
  • Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)
  • Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC). 

Trillium Benefit Payment Amounts

The benefit amount is calculated based on several factors. The OTB amount depends on income, age, family size, location, and living expenses such as rent or property taxes.

Trillium Benefit Payment Amounts


According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), as of 2025, the maximum annual Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) payment amounts are as follows :

Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC):

  • Up to $1,421 annually for seniors aged 65+.
  • Up to $1,248 annually for individuals aged 18–64.

Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC):

  • Up to $180 for singles.
  • Up to $277 for families.

Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC):

  • Up to $360 per person, including each dependent child under 19 years old.

Individuals eligible for all credits will receive at least $200 annually.

 Example

Here is an example to help you understand how payment amounts are determined.

Sarah, an Ontario resident with a modest income, qualifies for all three credits.  She receives $1,200 from the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, $150 from the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and $300 from the Ontario Sales Tax Credit. In total, Sarah gets $1,650 annually to help with her living expenses.

Contact CRA

In the following situations, contact the CRA for assistance.

  • You are qualified but didn’t receive an Ontario tax credit.
  • Received a lower amount than expected.
  • You are asked to repay the credits.

Note: Sometimes, scammers send fraudulent messages to OTB recipients. They are asked to provide their personal and payment details. Never share your personal details or respond to such messages.

Tips to Maximize Your OTB Payments

  • File your taxes on time. Make sure to file your taxes, even if you have no income.
  • Report all eligible expenses accurately (e.g., rent or property taxes).
  • If you’re married or in a common-law relationship, make sure that both partners file their taxes.
  • Use direct deposit payments to ensure secure, fast, and reliable payments.
  • Check the CRA notifications regularly to stay informed of the latest updates and upcoming payment dates.

By following these tips, you can make sure you get the full amount of your payments.

Trillium Benefits Payment Methods

The two methods to receive OTB payments are as follows:

1. Direct Deposit

With direct deposit, payments are sent directly to your bank account. The direct deposit method is the latest, fastest, and most secure. This is why it is popular and recommended by the CRA.
You can set up direct deposit by:

  • CRA My Account Portal
  • Calling CRA
  • Assistance from your bank

Why Choose Direct Deposit

Here are a few reasons to choose direct deposit over cheque payments.

  • Direct deposit payments are the latest and fastest.
  • There is no risk of payment loss in direct deposit. 
  • The risk of payment delays is minimal with direct deposit.
  • CRA also encourages direct payments.

2. Mail Cheque

In mail payment methods, the cheques are mailed to the registered mailing address. The cheques are mailed on the 10th of each month. Cheque payments are slower and carry some risks.

Trillium Benefits Payment Methods

Ontario Trillium Benefits Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for OTB are as follows:

  • Must be a resident of Ontario as of December 31 of the previous year.
  • Must be at least 19 years old or meet specific conditions if under 19.
  • Household income must fall within the low-to-moderate income range.
  • Must have paid rent or property taxes for your principal residence.
  • Northern Ontario residents must have incurred energy costs or lived in long-term care.
  • You must file an annual income tax return and complete Form ON-BEN.

It is necessary to meet these requirements; otherwise, you will not be eligible for the Ontario Trillium Benefit.

Note: Report all the changes to CRA as soon as possible. The CRA will review your circumstances and recalculate your benefits

How to Apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit

You do not need to apply separately for the Ontario Trillium Benefit. Just file your personal income tax return on time, and the CRA will automatically determine your eligibility. File your tax returns on time even if you are unable to pay taxes.

Note: The last date to file your tax is April 30 of each year. Make sure to file your taxes before the last date to keep receiving the OTB benefits.

Ontario Trillium Benefit Helpline

The OTB contact details are provided below. You can contact the helpline if you have any issues.

  • General OTB Inquiries: 1-877-627-6645
  • Canada Revenue Agency General Line: 1-800-959-8281
  • TTY (Teletypewriter) for Hearing Impaired: 1-800-665-0354

Feel free to reach out to any of these numbers for assistance with your Ontario Trillium Benefit.

FAQs

OTB is completely tax-free. You do not need to report it as income on your tax return.

No, there is no need to apply separately. Just file your taxes on time and CRA will automatically determine your eligibility. 

Conclusion

The Ontario Trillium Benefit provides essential financial support to help Ontarians cover rising costs like energy bills and property taxes. It is important to understand the Ontario Trillium Benefit payment dates, eligibility, and payment amounts.
All details about OTB are provided above. If you still have any issues, feel free to visit the OTB website or contact the CRA at 1-800-959-8281.