You could be richer than you think, thanks to the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB). The OTB gives financial support to low- and middle-income Ontarians through monthly payments. At the time of writing, the next payment was set for Friday, November 8. Here is a complete breakdown of how it works.
In January 2025, this post first appeared on this site. The figures, forecasts and dates below come from the time of writing. Some may have changed since.
How you could be richer with the OTB
The OTB is not one credit. Instead, it combines three provincial credits into one payment:
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit: Helps with property and energy taxes.
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit: Helps with high energy costs in northern Ontario.
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit: Gives relief from sales tax costs.
Because these credits come together, many households get extra money each month without doing anything special. You simply need to file your taxes and qualify for at least one of the three credits.
Who is eligible for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
To qualify, you must be eligible for at least one of the credits above. Each credit also has its own conditions:
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit: You must rent or pay property taxes, live in Ontario, and be 18 or older.
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit: Only for people who live in designated northern regions.
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit: For Ontario residents aged 19 or older, or those who are married or in a common-law relationship.
So, if you rent an apartment or own a home in Mississauga, you may already meet the first test. Many families, students and seniors could be richer simply by checking whether they qualify.
How much you could be richer by
Your total OTB depends on your income, your household size and the credits you qualify for. These were the maximum amounts when this post was written:
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit: Up to $1,248 for people aged 18 to 64, $1,421 for people aged 65 and older, and $277 for residents on reserves or in long-term care.
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit: Up to $180, for northern residents only.
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit: Up to $360 per person, with extra amounts for spouses or dependents.
That is where the $1,421 figure comes from. A senior who qualifies could be richer by up to $1,421 through the energy and property tax credit alone. Keep in mind that these are maximums. Your own amount may be lower, depending on your income.
Payment details and how to apply
Payments usually arrive monthly on the 10th. There is also an annual lump-sum option in June for people who qualify for more than $360. If you are married, the payment goes to the spouse whose tax return gets assessed first. Also, set up direct deposit with the CRA so your money arrives on time.
Applying is easy. In fact, the CRA assesses the OTB automatically when you file your annual tax return. If you file late or miss a payment, contact the CRA. You can find CRA contact details on Canada.ca, and provincial program details on Ontario.ca.
The lesson is simple. File your return every year, even if you have little or no income. Otherwise, you could miss money you are entitled to. Filing on time is the easiest way you could be richer next year.
Protect yourself from benefit scams
Be careful of scams! The Ontario government will never ask for personal information by text message so you can receive benefits. If you get a text like that, do not reply and do not click any link.
Scammers know that many people are waiting for money, so they time their messages around payment dates. Therefore, only trust your CRA account, your bank deposit and official government websites. Remember, you could be richer from the OTB, but never by sharing your details with a stranger.
More ways your family could be richer
The OTB is one of several programs that help households with living costs. For example, you can read about the holiday GST/HST relief and $250 cheque announcement. You may also like my summary of the 2025 budget for Mississauga families. Together, these programs can take real pressure off a household budget.
Talk to a Mississauga real estate agent
Do you have questions about the Ontario Trillium Benefit, property taxes or your housing costs? I am happy to help. Please call me at 416 908 5600 or send me a message. And if this post helped you, you can also leave a Google Review. A. Q. Mufti, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage.
Disclaimer: this article was published on 16 January 2025 and reflects the information available at that time. Interest rates, prices, and government programs change, so check the current position before acting on anything here. It is provided for information only and is not financial, mortgage, tax or legal advice. A. Q. Mufti is a registered Sales Representative with RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage, Ontario, Canada.
