When are the Ontario Trillium Benefit payments in 2026?

OTB is paid on the 10th of each month from July 2025 through June 2026 (based on your 2024 return). The 2026 dates are: January 10, February 10, March 10, April 10, May 9, June 10. Payments from July 2026 onward are based on your 2025 return and begin July 10, 2026.

What is the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

The Ontario Trillium Benefit is a combined monthly payment that includes three provincial credits: the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC), the Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC), and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC). It helps lower-income Ontario residents offset rent, property taxes, energy costs, and sales tax.

How much is the Ontario Trillium Benefit in 2026?

The amount varies based on income, age, whether you rent or own, and where you live. A single adult in southern Ontario with modest income could receive up to $1,013/year through the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit alone. The Ontario Sales Tax Credit adds up to $360/year for a single adult. Total benefits for a qualifying family can reach $2,000+/year.

Who qualifies for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

You must be an Ontario resident who files a tax return and meets income thresholds. For the OEPTC, you must have paid rent or property tax in Ontario. For the OSTC, you just need to be a Canadian resident aged 19+ living in Ontario. Amounts phase out as income rises above approximately $25,000 for singles.

How do I apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

Complete Schedule ON-BEN on your Ontario provincial tax return (Form ON479). There is no separate application. File your return on time each year — you automatically receive it if you qualify based on income and your responses on the schedule.

Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment Dates 2026

The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is one of the most important provincial benefits for lower-income Ontario residents. It combines three credits into a single monthly payment.

2026 Ontario Trillium Benefit payment dates

OTB payments follow a July-to-June benefit year. Payments from January to June 2026 are based on your 2024 tax return. Starting July 2026, payments are based on your 2025 tax return.

Month	Payment Date
January 2026	January 10
February 2026	February 10
March 2026	March 10
April 2026	April 10
May 2026	May 9
June 2026	June 10
July 2026	July 10 (2025 return)
August 2026	August 8
September 2026	September 10
October 2026	October 10
November 2026	November 10
December 2026	December 10

What is included in the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

The OTB combines three provincial credits in a single monthly payment:

Component	What It Helps With	Max Amount (approx.)
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)	Rent, property tax, home energy costs	$1,013/year (under 65)
Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)	Higher energy costs in Northern Ontario	$180/year (single)
Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)	General sales tax offset	$360/year (single)

You may qualify for one, two, or all three components depending on your situation.

Who qualifies for each component

Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)

Age 19+ (or married, or a parent)
Ontario resident
Files a tax return
Income below phase-out threshold (~$25,000 for singles)

Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)

All OSTC requirements, plus:

Paid rent or property tax on an eligible Ontario property in the previous year
Lived in Ontario for the full year (or had a principal residence in Ontario)

Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)

Northern Ontario resident (districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timiskaming)
Income below threshold

How to apply

Complete Schedule ON-BEN when filing your Ontario income tax return (part of your T1 return in most tax software). You will answer questions about:

Your rent paid in 2025
Your property tax paid in 2025
Whether you lived in Northern Ontario

There is no separate application. If you qualify and filed your return, payments are automatic.

Annual lump sum option

If your annual OTB entitlement is less than $360, the CRA may issue a single annual payment instead of monthly installments. The lump sum is paid in the month the benefit would normally start (July). You can opt into or out of this through your CRA account settings.

What affects your OTB amount

Factor	Effect
Higher net income	Reduces benefit (phases out above ~$25,000)
Higher rent/property tax paid	Increases OEPTC amount
Age 65+	Slightly higher OEPTC maximum
Live in Northern Ontario	Adds NOEC component
Children	No direct multiplier on OTB (CCB handles child credits)

Key takeaway

The Ontario Trillium Benefit is paid on the 10th of every month. Apply through Schedule ON-BEN on your annual tax return — no separate form required. Even if you have very low or no income, file your return to ensure you receive all benefits owed.