What is Ontario Trillium Benefit? 2023 OTB Payment Dates

If you reside in Ontario and receive the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB), it is important for you to be aware of the Trillium payment dates and options. This knowledge will enable you to plan your finances and avoid any unforeseen expenses effectively.

OTB combines several tax credits into one payment, including the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and Northern Ontario Energy Credit. It offers financial aid to individuals and families with lower incomes, assisting them in offsetting Ontario’s property and sales taxes.

Trillium benefits are paid by the CRA on the 10th of each month or the last working day before if it’s a weekend or holiday. If your total payment is under $360, you’ll receive it as a lump sum in July. If you already receive tax refunds by mail or direct deposit, your Trillium benefits will be delivered the same way.

In this article, we will provide detailed information about the Ontario Trillium Benefit program, including eligibility requirements, the application process, the range of benefits, and the 2023 OTB payment dates.

Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) Payment Dates for 2023

The OEPTC, NOEC, and OSTC are classified under the larger umbrella, the Ontario Trillium Benefit and the benefits are paid together regardless of which credit you qualify for.

In 2023, Ontario Trillium Benefit payments are scheduled for:

January 10, 2023
February 10, 2023
March 10, 2023
April 6, 2023
May 10, 2023
June 9, 2023
July 10, 2023
August 10, 2023
September 8, 2023
October 10, 2023
November 10, 2023
December 8, 2023

If you do not receive your tax refund by direct deposit, you will receive your Ontario Trillium Benefit payments by mail. Please enrol for direct deposit through your CRA MyAccount and continue to receive your Trillum payments easily. However, the timing of your Ontario Trillium Benefit depends on when you applied.

If you applied for the benefit in July, you should receive your payment by August 15th. If you applied after that, payments would be processed and sent out within ten days from the application date. You can also check your status online or call the government.

If you’re eligible and didn’t receive your Ontario Trillium Benefit payment, wait for ten business days, and contact the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-387-1193.

What is Ontario Trillium Benefit?

The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a refundable tax credit available to eligible Ontario residents with low to moderate income. The OTB can help to reduce the financial burden of paying for essential expenses and also help to boost household spending power. As such, it is an important government benefit for Ontario residents.

The benefit is calculated based on the amount of eligible property taxes paid and the cost of certain necessities such as child care and public transit.

To receive the OTB, you must file your taxes electronically and include your social insurance number on your tax return.

Canadian taxpayers without social assistance can get up to a maximum annual benefit of $1,145 for the OTB benefit, while for those receiving social assistance, the maximum annual benefit is $360.

There are three programs under the Ontario Trillium Benefit:

1. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)

The OEPTC is a benefit paid to low-to-moderate-income Ontario residents to offset energy and property sales taxes. The OEPTC consists of energy and property components; you must qualify for either to get paid.

You may qualify for the OEPTC in 2023 if you are at least 18 years of age, and a resident of Ontario, and in 2022, at least one of the following apply to you:

You rented or paid property taxes for your principal residence
You lived on a reserve in Ontario, and you paid for your home energy costs (e.g., electricity, heat)
You lived in a public or non-profit long-term care home in Ontario and paid a portion of the accommodation.
You lived in Ontario’s designated private school, university, or college.

2. The Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)

The NOEC is a relief benefit paid to low-to-moderate-income Northern Ontario residents to offset the higher home energy costs they pay in the north. To qualify for the NOEC, you must reside in the districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury (including the City of Greater Sudbury), Timiskaming, and Thunder Bay.

You may qualify for the NOEC in 2023 if you were a resident of the previously listed districts as of December 31, 2022, are at least 18 years of age, and if you paid:

rent or property tax for your principal residence in Northern Ontario for 2022
accommodation costs for living in a public or non-profit long-term care home in Northern Ontario for 2022
home energy costs (electricity and heat) for your principal residence on a reserve in Northern Ontario for 2022.

3. Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)

The OSTC is a relief benefit paid to Ontario residents with a modest income to offset their sales and services taxes. To qualify for the OSTC, you must be a resident of Ontario and be at least 19 years of age.

The OSTC benefit is similar to the federal GST/HST benefit and requires no application. You are only required to file your income tax return. The CRA will use your income tax and benefit return to determine your eligibility and send you an OTB notice if you are eligible.

If you meet the above criteria, you can apply for the OTB by completing and filing an application form. For more information, visit the Ontario Ministry of Finance website.

Who is Eligible for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

The Ontario Trillium Benefit combines three credits: the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit. You must be eligible for at least one of these three credits to qualify for Ontario Trillium Benefit.

Generally, to be eligible for the Ontario Trillium Benefit, you need to meet the following criteria:

Residency: You must be a resident of Ontario on December 31, 2022.
Age: You must be 18 years of age or older.
Marital Status: You must currently or previously be married or in a common-law relationship.
Parenthood: If you are a parent, you must live or have previously lived with your child.

In addition to the above requirements, you may need to meet further criteria depending on the specific credit within the benefit. For example, if you’re seeking a property tax credit, you may need to demonstrate that you rent or pay property tax for your main residence.

If you’re applying for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, you may need to prove that you live on a reserve and pay for home energy costs. Similarly, if you’re looking to qualify for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, you may need to reside in a public long-term care home and contribute to a portion of your accommodation expenses.

Ensuring you meet these eligibility criteria will help determine your qualification for the Ontario Trillium Benefit.

How To Apply For Ontario Trillium Benefit

Every year, the CRA expects you to apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit to get paid. You can apply for the OTB when you file your taxes. To apply for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) and the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC), you must file your income tax return and fill out the ON-BEN Application Form.

The CRA uses the information you report to determine the amount you’re eligible for and pay it out on the scheduled Ontario Trillium payment dates. However, you don’t have to apply for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC).

If you are a low or moderate-income earner in Ontario, you don’t want to miss out on this benefit. You should file your taxes on time to get your payment on the scheduled dates. Late filing can lead to delayed payments.

You can contact your municipality or local utility company with questions about the application process.

How Much is the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

The Ontario Trillium Benefit you will receive on the Trillium payment dates is determined by the total amount you qualify for under the OEPTC, NOEC, and OSTC.

The amount you receive will depend on your age, marital status, adjusted family net income, whether or not you have children, the value of the property taxes you have paid or that have been paid on your behalf if you are a renter, and the energy costs you have paid if you are on a reserve.

The table below summarizes the maximum NOEC, OEPTC, and OSTC amounts for 2022.

OTB Component	Maximum Amount
Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)	Max of $162 paid to individuals Max of $249 paid to families
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)	Max of $1,277 paid to residents between the age of 18 and 64 years Max of $1,121 paid to residents over the age of 65 years Max of $241 paid to residents living on a reserve or in a care home Max of $25 paid to Students living in a designated private school, college or university, or residence
Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)	Max of $324 paid to every adult and every child in a family

What is the Maximum Income to Qualify for Ontario Trillium Benefit?

For a single individual, the maximum income to qualify for the full Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) is $24,916; the Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) is $43,602.

Families can receive the full amounts for the OSTC and NOEC if their income does not exceed $31,144 and $56,060, respectively.

Final Thoughts on The Ontario Trillium Benefit

The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is an excellent supplement to your income and can boost your investment and savings.

To ensure you continue to receive these benefits on the Trillium payment dates, you have to commit to filing your income tax return annually.

But if at any point you fail to receive payment after meeting all the requirements, feel free to contact the CRA.

FAQs on the Ontario Trillium Benefit

What is the Minimum Amount I Can Receive from the OTB?

The minimum amount you can get on the OTB is $10. If the benefit falls within $2.01 – $9.99, you will get a minimum of $10. However, you will not be eligible for a payment if your amount is $2 or below.

You may also use the CRA Child and Family Benefits Calculator to estimate the amount you will get for the Ontario Trillium Benefit.

Can I get back pay for Ontario Trillium?

If your 2021 tax return is assessed after June 10, 2022, your initial Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) payment will include any unpaid amounts from previous months. This payment will be processed 4-8 weeks after your tax return has been assessed.

Subsequent OTB payments will be made on the 10th of each month. Alternatively, you can receive your OTB as a single lump-sum payment at the end of the benefit year in June 2023.

Are there other benefit programs in Ontario?

Yes, there are other benefit programs for Ontario residents such as the Ontario Child Benefit, Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS), Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit, and the Trillium Drug Program.