New Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment Coming On January 9

Last Updated On 4 January 2026, 10:03 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Ontario households that qualify for the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) are set to receive the first OTB deposit of 2026 on January 9, 2026, according to the CRA’s official benefits calendar.

In 2026, an eligible Ontario family of 4 can receive up to $3,230 in maximum Ontario Trillium Benefit support over the benefit year.

For many Ontarians, OTB is one of the most overlooked monthly supports because it is not a standalone “application” like many benefit programs.

It is a combined payment built from up to 3 Ontario credits calculated off your tax return, then paid monthly (or sometimes as a single lump sum).

The result is that people can be eligible without realizing it—especially renters, students in designated residences, seniors, and Northern Ontario residents facing higher energy costs.

Below is a detailed, practical guide to what OTB is, every 2026 payment date, who qualifies, how much you could get, how to apply properly, and the most common steps that help households maximize their monthly deposit.

What Is the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)?

The Ontario Trillium Benefit is a tax-free combined payment of 3 credits to offset three real cost pressures that continue to hit budgets of families in Ontario.

• Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC): Housing-related costs like rent and property tax, plus energy-related relief.
• Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC): Higher energy costs associated with living in Northern Ontario (NOEC)
• Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC): Sales tax paid on everyday spending.

Instead of receiving these credits separately, eligible recipients receive them as a single OTB payment.

In most cases, the annual entitlement is divided into 12 monthly payments.

Even if you qualify for only 1 of the 3 components, you can still receive OTB. In other words, you do not need to be eligible for all three credits to make an OTB payment.

OTB is tied to the benefit year, not the calendar year

One key detail many people miss: OTB operates on a benefit-year cycle that typically rruns fromJuly to June, based on the prior year’s income tax return.

For example, the CRA explains that the 2025 OTB payments (based on the 2024 tax return) run monthly from July 2025 to June 2026 (with exceptions for lump-sum scenarios).

That means:

• January to June 2026 payments are generally part of the July 2025–June 2026 benefit year
• July to June 2027 payments are generally part of the next benefit year, recalculated after the CRA assesses the next tax return

This matters because your payment can change in mid-year (July) even if nothing else in your life changes—because the benefit year resets and the CRA recalculates using the most recently assessed return.

If you already receive tax refunds or other benefits by direct deposit, OTB is paid by direct deposit. Otherwise, it is paid by cheque.

When OTB can be paid as a lump sum

There are 2 common lump-sum situations:

• If your annual OTB entitlement is $360 or less, the CRA generally issues it in 1 lump-sum payment in the first payment month (usually July).
• If your annual OTB entitlement is more than $360, you can choose to delay and receive a single payment at the end of the benefit year, instead of monthly payments—by making the election on Form ON-BEN (box 61060, “Choice for delayed single OTB payment”).

For 2026 specifically, the CRA notes that if you elected to delay and your annual entitlement is over $360, that single payment would be issued on June 10, 2026.

All The OTB Payment Dates In 2026

That January date is not random. OTB is normally issued on the 10th of each month, but when the 10th falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the CRA issues the payment on the last working day before the 10th.

The CRA benefits calendar lists the following OTB payment dates in 2026.

• January 9, 2026
• February 10, 2026
• March 10, 2026
• April 10, 2026
• May 8, 2026
• June 10, 2026
• July 10, 2026
• August 10, 2026
• September 10, 2026
• October 9, 2026
• November 10, 2026
• December 10, 2026

Even when the CRA issues OTB on the official date, your bank may post deposits at different times depending on your financial institution and account processing windows.

The CRA also states that mailed cheques can take additional business days.

Detailed Eligibility Criteria for the Ontario Trillium Benefit

To receive OTB, you must be entitled to at least 1 of the following credits:

• OEPTC
• NOEC
• OSTC

You can still get OTB even if you are eligible for only 1 or 2 of these credits.

Eligibility for OSTC (Ontario Sales Tax Credit)

The OSTC is a tax-free payment intended to provide relief to low- to moderate-income Ontario residents for the sales tax they pay.

Key OSTC mechanics:

• You do not apply separately for OSTC. The CRA uses the information in your income tax and benefit return to determine eligibility and entitlement.
• In families, OSTC is typically paid to the spouse or common-law partner whose return is assessed first.

Practical implication: if you are eligible for OSTC only, you may still receive an OTB payment because OSTC is part of OTB.

Eligibility for OEPTC (Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit)

OEPTC is designed to help low- to moderate-income Ontario residents with energy costs and with sales tax on energy, plus property tax and rent.

You may be eligible if you lived in Ontario on December 31 of the applicable tax year and at least 1 of the following applies for that tax year:

• rent or property tax for your principal residence in Ontario was paid by or for you
• you paid accommodation costs for living in a public or non-profit long-term care home in Ontario
• you paid home energy costs for a principal residence on a reserve in Ontario
• you lived in a designated university, college, or private school residence in Ontario

OEPTC is claimed through Form ON-BEN as part of your income tax and benefit return.

Eligibility for NOEC (Northern Ontario Energy Credit)

NOEC is designed to help low- to moderate-income Northern Ontario residents with higher energy costs.

You may be eligible if you lived in Northern Ontario on December 31 of the applicable tax year and you (or someone on your behalf) paid at least 1 of the following for the prior tax year:

• rent or property tax for your principal residence in Northern Ontario
• accommodation costs for living in a public or non-profit long-term care home in Northern Ontario
• home energy costs for your principal residence on a reserve in Northern Ontario

NOEC is also claimed via Form ON-BEN, and if eligible it is paid as part of your combined OTB.

Age and household status rules you should know

OTB eligibility often turns on details that people forget to update:

• Turning 18 matters: the NOEC guidance notes that if you will turn 18 before June 1, 2026 and meet the criteria, you should still apply, but you will generally only receive monthly payments for periods after you turn 18.
• Marital status affects who applies and who gets paid, especially for OEPTC/NOEC (claimed on ON-BEN) versus OSTC (calculated automatically). In many cases, the same spouse or partner needs to apply for OEPTC and NOEC, and the CRA will decide how to issue the combined payment.
• If only 1 spouse is a senior, the CRA notes specific rules for which spouse must apply for certain credits and how OSTC may be issued.

Residency and timing: why December 31 is critical

Across the OTB components, the “resident on December 31” rule is a common trigger.

If you moved into Ontario after that date, you typically do not qualify for that benefit year, even if you are living in Ontario now.

If you owe certain debts, the CRA may use your OTB payment to pay amounts in arrears first. If anything remains, it will be issued to you.

This is one of the most common reasons eligible recipients see either a reduced deposit or no deposit on the payment date even though their CRA account shows entitlement.

How Much Can You Receive from the OTB?

The CRA defines OTB as the total of what you qualify for under OEPTC, NOEC, and OSTC.

Because it is a combined payment, the “how much” question depends on:

• adjusted family net income
• marital status
• whether you have children (particularly relevant for NOEC and income thresholds)
• age (important for OEPTC maximums)
• eligible housing costs (rent paid, property tax paid, certain accommodation costs, and in some cases home energy costs on reserve)

Using the CRA’s published maximums for the benefit year based on the 2024 tax return (payments issued July 2025 to June 2026, which includes January 2026), the maximum Ontario Trillium Benefit for a family of 4 (2 adults (non-seniors) + 2 children) works out as follows.

Maximum Ontario sales tax credit (OSTC) portion

• $371 maximum per adult and per child.
• Family of 4: $371 × 4 = $1,484 per year.

Maximum Ontario energy and property tax credit (OEPTC) portion

• Maximum 2025 OEPTC: $1,283 for non-seniors or $1,461 if you are 65 or older

Northern Ontario energy credit (NOEC) portion (only if you lived in Northern Ontario on Dec. 31 and meet NOEC rules)

• Maximum annual NOEC for families: $285.

Totals (maximum annual OTB)

A) Family of 4 in Ontario (not including NOEC)

• $1,484 (OSTC) + $1,283 (OEPTC) = $2,767 per year.

B) Family of 4 in Northern Ontario (including NOEC)

• $2,767 + $285 (NOEC) = $3,052 per year.

Approximate maximum monthly OTB (since the annual OTB is usually divided by 12) comes out to be $230.58 without NOEC and $254.33 with NOEC.

If at least 1 spouse is a senior (65+ on Dec. 31 of the applicable year), the maximum monthly OTB payment comes out to be $245.42 without NOEC and $269.17 with NOEC.

Important nuance:

• This is the maximum credit. Many recipients receive less based on income, rent/property tax paid, and eligibility details.
• Because OEPTC can be the largest component for renters and homeowners, it is often the primary driver of a higher monthly OTB payment.

How to Apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

Step 1: File your income tax and benefit return every year

The OTB system runs through your tax return. To receive OTB, you must file your income tax and benefit return each year, even if you have little or no income.

The CRA explicitly notes that to get the 2025 OTB (the benefit year that covers July 2025 to June 2026), you must have filed your 2024 return.

Step 2: Understand what is automatic vs what requires ON-BEN

A practical way to remember the application process:

• OSTC is automatic: You do not apply for OSTC separately. The CRA uses your return information to determine eligibility and entitlement.
• OEPTC and NOEC require Form ON-BEN: To apply for OEPTC and/or NOEC, you fill out the applicable parts of Form ON-BEN and include it with your return.

Step 3: Report the right housing and cost information

For OEPTC/NOEC, the CRA’s forms and guidance rely heavily on what you paid (or what was paid on your behalf) for:

• rent
• property tax
• eligible accommodation costs in public/non-profit long-term care
• eligible home energy costs on reserve (in relevant cases)

The primary avoidable mistake is underreporting rent paid or forgetting to include eligible periods (such as months lived in a designated residence).

Underreporting reduces your credit; overreporting can trigger verification requests.

Step 4: Set up direct deposit to avoid delays

If you receive other CRA payments by direct deposit, OTB typically follows the same direct deposit setup. If not, you receive a cheque.

In practical terms, direct deposit reduces the chance of delay, especially around address changes or mail disruptions.

Step 5: If you forgot to apply in past years, you may still be able to fix it

If you forgot to apply for OSTC, OEPTC, and/or NOEC on a prior-year return, the CRA indicates you can request an adjustment for relatively recent years (generally up to the prior 10 calendar years), using My Account or submitting adjustment requests.

This is especially relevant for:

• renters who did not realize rent paid affects OEPTC
• students who lived in eligible residences
• Northern Ontario residents who did not know NOEC exists

Tips to Maximize Your OTB Payment

1) File early enough to protect your benefit-year continuity

Because OTB is recalculated and issued on a schedule, late filing can cause missed months, delayed starts, or lump-sum catch-up payments later.

If you want predictable monthly deposits, early filing and fast assessment are the simplest “maximization” strategy.

2) Make sure the right person applies in a family

OTB can be confusing in couples because:

• OSTC is generally paid to the spouse/partner whose return is assessed first
• OEPTC/NOEC is paid to the person who applies for those credits on Form ON-BEN

Actionable checklist for couples:

• ensure both returns are filed on time
• ensure the ON-BEN form is completed correctly by the spouse who should be applying
• keep marital status updated with the CRA to avoid payment disruptions

3) Do not leave rent paid, property tax paid, or eligible residence months off your ON-BEN

For many households, especially renters, the OEPTC portion can be a major share of OTB.

If your rent paid is missing or incomplete, your OEPTC can fall significantly.

If you lived in:

• a rented apartment
• a rooming situation where you can substantiate your share
• a designated college/university residence: you should ensure the amounts and periods are accurately reflected on the applicable sections of ON-BEN.

4) Northern Ontario residents: confirm your NOEC eligibility every year

NOEC is commonly missed because it is specific to Northern Ontario residency and eligible housing-related costs.

If you lived in Northern Ontario on December 31 and paid eligible rent/property tax (or qualifying costs), confirm you are applying for NOEC through ON-BEN.

The maximum and income thresholds are separate from OSTC and can materially lift your annual OTB amount.

5) Understand the income thresholds so you can anticipate changes

OTB is income-tested, so increases in income can reduce entitlement.

Key thresholds to remember for payments based on the 2024 return (July 2025–June 2026 cycle):

• OSTC reduction begins over $28,506 (single, no children) and $35,632 (single parent or couples) at a 4% reduction rate
• NOEC reduction begins over $49,885 (single, no children) and $64,138 (families) at a 1% reduction rate

If your income rose sharply in 2025, you may see a noticeable adjustment when the benefit year resets in July 2026.

6) Decide whether monthly cash flow or a June lump sum works better for you

If your annual OTB entitlement is more than $360, you can elect to receive it as 1 payment at the end of the benefit year instead of monthly.

The CRA explains this selection is made by ticking box 61060 on Form ON-BEN.

This is not “more money,” but it can be better timing for some households:

• monthly OTB helps with recurring bills (rent, utilities)
• a June lump sum can help with debt repayment or planned expenses

If you choose the delayed payment, be aware the CRA also lists situations where the election can be revoked (for example, moving out of Ontario, bankruptcy, or certain other conditions).

7) Keep your CRA profile updated to prevent missed payments

Two updates prevent a disproportionate share of “missing OTB” problems:

• address changes (update promptly)
• direct deposit enrollment

If your payment does not arrive on January 9, 2026 (or any scheduled date), the most common causes are:

• direct deposit is not set up and the cheque is delayed
• a CRA offset was applied to a debt
• your eligibility changed due to marital status, residence, or a move

8) Remember: OTB is not taxable, but it can be intercepted for debts

OTB is not taxable, but the CRA states it can be applied to certain debts first, with only the remaining amount issued to you.

If your expected deposit is missing, this should be one of the first items to verify.

As Ontario households start 2026 with higher day-to-day costs, the Ontario Trillium Benefit remains one of the most practical monthly supports available.

OTB is crucial—especially for renters, seniors, and Northern Ontario residents managing higher energy and housing expenses.

If you are expecting the first OTB deposit of 2026, mark Friday, January 9, 2026 on your calendar and double-check that your direct deposit and CRA personal details are up to date.

The fastest way to protect your entitlement is still the same: file your tax return on time, complete Form ON-BEN accurately, and keep your marital status and address current.

And remember, OTB is recalculated each benefit year. If your income, rent, household size, or living situation changed, your monthly amount can shift—sometimes significantly—once the CRA reassesses your file.

OTB Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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