Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) Payment Dates in 2026

If you live in Ontario, you could receive Ontario tax credits through the Ontario Trillium Benefits, also referred to as OTB. The OTB is a tax-free payment designed to help qualified Ontario residents receive some financial assistance to cover the costs that were paid throughout the year.

2026 Ontario Trillium Benefit Payments

Even though OTB payments are made on behalf of the Ontario government, they are actually administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Because of this, when the payments are deposited into your account, they’re not labelled OTB. They’re actually deposited under the name Canada Pro Deposit. They’re deposited around the 10th of the month unless that day falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend. 

Here are the Ontario Trillium Benefit payment dates for 2026:

If you don’t receive your monthly payments through direct deposit, then you should receive them via cheque. These cheques will be sent out at the same time as the direct deposits; however, it can take up to 10 business days for these to arrive. 

Based on how much you can receive from OTB benefits, you can choose whether or not to receive your payments on a monthly basis. If your OTB entitlement is for more than $360 in combined payments, you can choose to receive a one lump sum payment in June 2025 or monthly payments. If your annual OTB payment is less than $360, you’ll receive one payment. Also, if your minimum otb payment is between $2 and $10, your payment will be increased to $10.

How Ontario Trillium Benefits Work

The OTB is broken down into three credits. If you qualify for any of these benefits, then you will receive the OTB. In order to start receiving these benefits, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria as well as file your income tax and benefit return and submit an ON-BEN application form.

This has to be done every tax year. Based on the income tax returns as well as the applications, the federal government administers the benefits to moderate income Ontario residents that meet the net income requirements.. 

Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit

Just like the other OTB payments, the OEPTC payment is a tax-free payment that is administered to you if you qualify. In order to qualify, you must be an Ontario resident as of December 31, 2025. You must also meet at least one of the following conditions:

• Be 18 years old
• A parent who lives or lived with their child
• Currently or previously married (in a common-law relationship)

These aren’t the only qualifications. Also, one of the following conditions must have occurred in 2025. 

1. You paid property taxes on your primary residence.
2. You rented but your landlord had to pay property taxes.
3. You paid for your home energy costs while living on a reserve.
4. You paid for your accommodation costs while living in a public long-term care home. 

Northern Ontario Energy Credit

With the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, there are a few qualifications that you must meet. As of December 31, 2025, you must be a resident of Ontario. You must also meet one of the following conditions:

• Be 18 years old
• A parent who lives or lived with their child
• Currently or previously married (in a common-law relationship)

You must also have completed one of the following:

1. You paid rent or property taxes on your main residence. 
2. You paid for your home energy costs while living on a reserve.
3. You paid for your accommodations while living in a public long-term care home. 

In order to be considered a resident on Northern Ontario you must live in one of the following places:

• Algoma
• Cochrane
• Kenora
• Manitoulin
• Nipissing
• Parry Sound
• Rainy River
• Sudbury
• Thunder Bay
• Timiskaming

Ontario Sales Tax Credit

In order to qualify for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, the qualifications are very similar to those of the other OTB benefits. You must be a resident of Ontario as of December 31, 2025, as well as meet one of the following requirements:

• Be 18 years old
• A parent who lives or lived with their child
• Currently or previously married (in a common-law relationship)

How Much You Can Get

For each Ontario Trillium Benefit, there are different credit amounts that you can be approved for based on your circumstances. Here’s what you could receive. 

Northern Ontario Energy Credit

For the NOEC, there are two maximum amounts that you could receive. If you’re a single person, you could receive a maximum of $185. Families can receive a maximum of $285.

Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit

For the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, there are a few different amounts you can receive. These maximum amounts are:

• $1,283 if you’re between the ages of 18 and 64
• $1,461 if your 65 years or older
• $285 if you live on a reserve or in a public care home
• $25 for the time you lived in a college, university or private school residence

Ontario Sales Tax Credit

This amount given for this tax-free payment is based on your family situation. However, like the other OTB payments, the payments don’t affect your GST/HST credits. 

The maximum amount that you can receive for the OSTC is $371. You can also get an extra $371 for your spouse or common-law partner, as well as for each dependent child under the age of 19 on the 1rst of the payment month. 

2026 Payment Increases

Payment Increase usually happen in July for the benefit year. There was a small increase for the 2025/26 benefit year.