The Ontario provincial government offers the Ontario Trillium Benefit to support residents in paying for the energy costs, and sales & property taxes. This benefit comes from the three credits – OSTC, the NOEC, and the OEPTC, which offset the sales/ property tax and energy cost.
Ontario residents who qualify for any of the three credits get this monthly benefit. The OTB recipients are now eagerly waiting for their April 2025. As per the CRA payment schedule, the payout is made on the 10th of each month.
The OTB recipients will receive the next payment on 10 April 2025 for the 2924 benefits year (July 2024 to June 2025). The agency has released the amount and eligibility criteria for the 2025 benefit year as well on the official website.
| Benefit | Ontario Trillium Benefit |
| Credits | Northern Ontario Energy Credit, Ontario Sales Tax Credit, and Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit |
| Who qualifies? | Who receives any one of the three credits |
| Maxi. Payout | Up to $1248 depending on credit |
| April Payout Date | 10 April 2025 |
| Payment Type | Tax-free payment |
| Purpose | To provide financial relief from the energy costs, property tax, and sales tax they paid |
| Official Website | https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-trillium-benefit |
Who is eligible?
The Ontario residents who meet the eligibility conditions of any of the three credits will be eligible for this benefit. So, here is the eligibility criteria for each credit in the benefit:
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)
- You must be a Northern Ontario resident on 31 December 2023, and you have paid your rent or property tax for your primary residence.
- Your age is 18 years or older/ you have or had a common law partner or a spouse/or your child has lived or is living with you.
- You lived in a long-term care home, for instance seniors’ home, and paid the cost of living.
- You have covered home energy costs for your main home in Ontario
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)
- You have made the payment for your principal residence property tax in Ontario, or for the rented property (you or your landlord paid)
- You have made the payment for accommodation at a long-term care home or home energy costs.
- You are 18 years of age or above, have a common-law partner or previously married, and you have a child living with or previously lived with you.
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC):
- You must have attained the minimum age of 19 years or older, or you are a parent whose child lives or lived with you during the tax year, or
- You are in a common-law relationship or were/are currently married and paid the sales tax.
Payment Amount
According to the 2024 OTB benefit year (July 2024 to June 2025), the OTB beneficiaries will receive the payout depending on the credit they qualify for. The beneficiaries can calculate their benefit amount based on their age, income, residence, family size, or the rent or property tax they paid.
Based on the three credits, the OTB recipients can calculate their benefit payout amount given below:
- NOEC:
| Family Size | Credit Amount |
| Single | Up to $180 |
| Family | $277 |
- OEPTC
| Situation | Credit Amount |
| Age between 18 and 64 years old | $1248 |
| Age 65 years or older | $1421 |
| Live in a public long-term care home or on a reserve | $277 |
| Lived in a designated college, University/ private school residence away from parents | $25 |
- OSTC
| Credit Amount | $360 |
| Additional amount for spouse/common law partner/ or dependent child | $360 |
Payment Method
The Canada Revenue Agency paid the OTB payout through the following payment methods:
- Eligible residents who have opted to receive their tax refund through direct deposit will receive the benefit payment in the same way.
- If your OTB payout is more than $360, you will have two options to receive your payment: first, through the monthly benefit on the 10th of each month, or you can choose to get the single one-time payment in June 2025.
- If it is $360 or less, you will receive the lump sum payment when the benefit year starts in July.
- If your OTB calculated payment is $2 or less, you will not receive any payment, and if it’s more than $2 but less than $10, you can expect the payment to increase to up to $10.
What to do if you missed the payout?
The CRA generally processes the OTB payout on time; however, if you do not get the payout on time, you can contact the CRA. Under the OTB, you can contact the CRA under the following conditions:
- When you do not receive the payout by July of the benefit year, and the 24th of each month.
- When you receive less than you estimated based on your eligibility for the credit.
- When you did not receive the credit payment for the credit you believe you were eligible for;
You should raise the objections or queries to the CRA about the payment through your CRA account or call 1-800-959-8281. CRA will process the OTB payments in two days, so do check your account or mail in the coming ten days to see if you receive the payout or not.