The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a non-taxable payment that is paid out to eligible Ontario residents with modest income. The OTB is also known as the Canada PRO Benefit.
The OTB calculation is based on your income, age, family size, residence, and other factors; and if you are a low-income earner living in Ontario, chances are high you’d be eligible for the Ontario Trillium Benefit.
Whether or not you’ve been claiming your Trillium Benefits in the past, this post will answer all your questions on eligibility, how to apply, how much you can expect to receive, and when the Ontario Trillium Benefit will be paid in 2022.
Without skipping a beat, let’s discuss the Ontario Trillium Payment Dates for 2022.
Ontario Trillium Payment Dates 2022: How Often is OTB Paid?
Ontario Trillium payment dates for 2022 are:
Benefit Month | Ontario Trillium Payment Dates |
January | January 10, 2022 |
February | February 10, 2022 |
March | March 10, 2022 |
April | April 8, 2022 |
May | May 10, 2022 |
June | June 10, 2022 |
July | July 8, 2022 |
August | August 10, 2022 |
September | September 9, 2022 |
October | October 7, 2022 |
November | November 10, 2022 |
December | December 9, 2022 |
Also, if your annual benefit is less than $360, you can elect to receive a lump sum in July.
You can receive the Trillium benefit directly into your bank account through direct deposit, or receive it by cheque in your mail.
I will personally advise you to enroll for direct deposit through your CRA account and continue to receive your Trillum payments with ease.
If you’re eligible and didn’t receive your Ontario Trillium Benefit payment, wait for 10 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 non-taxable payment to low-medium-income earners in Ontario. The Trillium benefit offsets the taxes paid for energy, property, and sales tax.
The Ontario Trillium Benefit was launched in 2011 by the Government of Ontario but administered by the Canada Revenue Agency, and it combines three tax credits into one. These credits are:
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)
Who is Eligible for The Ontario Trillium Benefit
To qualify for Ontario Trillium Benefit, you must be a resident of Ontario and must qualify for at least one of the following OTB credits.
1. Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)
What is the Ontario Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)? The Ontario Northern Ontario Energy Credit is a non-taxable payment to help people living in Northern Ontario communities with their high home energy costs.
Specifically, eligible individuals or families living in Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Timiskaming communities will receive the NOEC payments.
To qualify for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) in 2022, you must be a resident of Northern Ontario as of December 31, 2021, and must meet at least one of the following eligibility criteria:
-
- be 18 years of age or older
- have or previously had a spouse or common-law partner
- have a parent who lives or previously lived with your child
and, in 2021, you
- Rented or paid property tax (by yourself or someone).
- lived in a public long-term care home (e.g., a seniors’ home) and paid an amount for your accommodation
- lived on a reserve, and paid for your home energy costs
2. The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)
The Ontario Energy and Property Tax credit is a tax-free benefit paid to eligible Ontario residents with a modest income, to help offset their property taxes and energy sales taxes.
The OEPTC consists of two components: energy component and property component; and you need to qualify for either one of them to get paid.
The eligibility criteria for the OEPTC are very similar to NOEC, and to qualify, you must be a resident of Ontario and must meet at least one of the following other conditions:
- 18 years of age or older
- currently or previously married or in a common-law relationship
- a parent who lives or previously lived with your child
and, in 2021, you:
- rented or paid property tax for your main residence
- lived on a reserve and paid for your home energy costs
- lived in a public long-term care home (e.g., a seniors’ home) and paid an amount for your accommodation
- lived in a designated private school, university, or college in Ontario.
3. Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)
The Ontario Sales Tax Credit is a tax-free benefit paid to eligible Ontario residents to offset the sales and services tax they have paid in the last year.
To qualify, you must be a resident of Ontario and meet at least one of the following conditions:
- 19 years of age or older
- currently or previously married or in a common-law relationship
- a parent who lives or previously lived with your child
Like the GST Tax credit, OSTC is a non-taxable credit to low-medium-income Ontarians for sales tax relief. The OSTC is the only component of the Ontario Trillium Benefit that doesn’t require an application.
The CRA will determine your qualification through your income tax and benefit return, and you will be notified once you meet the requirements.
How Much is The Ontario Trillium Benefit?
How much Ontario Trillium Benefit you will receive on the Trillium payment dates depends on the total amount you qualify for under the OEPTC, NOEC, and OSTC.
The Trillium benefits amount also depends 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.
As a single individual with no children, you can receive NOEC benefits of up to a maximum of $162 annually.
As a couple or single parent with children, you can receive NOEC benefits of up to a maximum of $249 annually.
As a senior Ontario resident, you can receive OEPTC benefits of up to a maximum of $249 for the energy component, plus another $872 for the property tax component which adds up to $1,121 annually.
Also, as a non-senior Ontario resident, you can receive OEPTC benefits of up to a maximum of $249 for the energy component, plus another $1,028 for the property tax component which adds up to $1,277 annually.
Meanwhile, OSTC provides up to a maximum of $324 annually for each individual in a family.
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 $313 paid to every adult and every child in a family |
In any case, the minimum amount you can get on the OTB is $10. If the benefit falls within $2.01 – $9.99, you will get the minimum amount 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 actual amount you will get 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.
To apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit, specifically the Northern Ontario Energy Credit and the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, all you need is to file your income tax return and fill out the ON-BEN Application Form.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will then determine your qualification automatically using your previous tax return. For example, your 2021 tax return will be used to determine your 2022 eligibility.
If you’re finding it difficult to file your tax return, the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program may help you.
You don’t need to apply for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) payment.
Additional Ontario Benefits
Ontario residents can also benefit from the following credits:
1. Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant (OSHPTG)
The Ontario senior homeowners’ property tax grant (OSHPTG) is designed to help low-medium-income Ontario seniors offset their property taxes.
The maximum annual grant is $500, and the funds come entirely from the Province of Ontario but are disbursed by the CRA.
Ontario senior homeowners can apply for the OSHPTG by submitting the ON-BEN form when they file their income tax returns.
2. Ontario Child Benefit (OCB)
The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) like the federal CCB is a non-taxable payment to low-medium-income Ontarians toward meeting children’s needs. For each of your children (under the age of 18), you may receive up to $122.83 monthly from July 2022 to June 2023.
If your family’s adjusted net income is more than $22,504, you may only be eligible for a partial benefit.
3. Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS)
The Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) provides tax-free benefits to Ontario’s low-income seniors.
Depending on your income, you can earn up to $83 monthly on GAINS.
To qualify for this benefit, you must be:
- An Ontario resident for at least 12 months.
- A Canadian resident for at least 10 years.
- 65 years of age or older.
- Receiving retirement income like the GIS and OAS
- A low-income earner.
You don’t have to apply for GAINS. Your eligibility will be automatically determined once you’re receiving the GIS and OAS payments.
How To Put The Ontario Trillium Benefit To Good Use
The Trillium benefit may feel like some free money, and you may be tempted to spend it anyhow. However, you can put these Trillium benefits into good use by investing it in things that can set you on the path to financial success.
Depending on your situation and financial goals, you can consider the following options when spending your Canada PRO deposit. With the OTB, you can
- pay down your debts and credit card balance
- build your emergency fund
- invest it in your retirement account
- use it to pay your life insurance premium
- invest it into your child’s RESP
- save it up for a down payment for your mortgage
Final Thoughts on The OTB and Trillium Payment Dates
In closing, the Ontario Trillium Benefits is an excellent supplement to your income, and it can be used to 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, don’t hesitate to contact the CRA.
Let me know what your thoughts are about the Ontario Trillium Benefit in the comment section.
FAQs on The OTB and Trillium Payment Dates
Is the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) a Taxable Benefit?
No, Ontario Trillium Benefits are non-taxable. But if you have unpaid taxes or unsettled overpayments, the CRA may deduct them from your OTB.
Can I Still Apply if I Didn’t Apply for Any of the OTB Credit Components?
Yes, you can get back payment for OTB. But to receive your previous year’s OTB payments, you must request a reassessment of the applicable return(s).
How Will I Receive My Ontario Trillium Benefit Payments?
Your OTB payments are made to the same channel you receive your income tax refund.
So if you receive your income tax refund via direct deposit, the same way you will receive your OTB payment.
But if you receive your income tax refund via cheque, your OTB payments will also come through cheque.
Is there a Maximum Income Qualification for OTB Payment?
Yes. The maximum income you need to qualify for the Ontario Trillium Benefit varies yearly.
For 2020, your adjusted family net income must be $35,000 or less to receive the maximum payment in 2022.
Is there a Minimum Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment?
Yes. The minimum OTB payment is $10. So if you have $2 or less, you will not get paid. But if you have $2.01 to $9.99, it will be round up to $10, and you will get paid.
Who Will Issue the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
The CRA issues the Ontario Trillium Benefit annually to qualify Ontarians on behalf of the government of Ontario.
Can I Choose to Get My Ontario Trillium Benefit in One Payment this Year Rather than Monthly?
Yes. If your 2022 OTB entitlement exceeds $360, you can get your OTB in one payment in July 2022.
Will I Get the Ontario Trillium Benefit if I am Qualified for Only one or Two of the three components of the OTB?
Yes. All you need is to qualify for one of the three credits of the OTB and you are good to go.
I Have Not Filed My 2020 Income Tax and Benefit Return. Will I Still Receive the OTB?
No. 2022 OTB Payments are paid to only eligible Ontarians that filed their 2021 income tax and benefit return.
Why Doesn’t My Income Tax Form Show How Much Money I’ll Get Back?
Because the OTB is not involved in your income tax assessment… the CRA will use your income tax return Information to determine your entitlement.
I Just Moved and My Address Changed. What Should I Do?
Call 1-877-627-6645 to inform the CRA about your new address and the exact date as soon as possible.
In the Year of Death, is the Estate Eligible for Any OTB Payment(s) for that Year?
It depends. For example, if the deceased is qualified for one of the credits of OTB and died on July 1, 2022, or later, they may be entitled to the 2022 OTB payment(s) for the year.
But if the deceased died before July 1, 2022, their estate will not receive any 2022 OTB payments.
If an Estate Receives an Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment for a Period after the Date of Death, What Should it Do?
The estate must return the payment to the deceased tax center. In doing so, the estate should provide a copy of the deceased death certificate or date of death.
Why Did I Get an Ontario Trillium Benefit?
You get the Ontario Trillium Benefit because you’re a low-medium-income Ontarian. Also, it is because you meet the qualifications of at least one of the components of the OTB.
What Is Considered Low Income in Ontario?
Low income in Ontario refers to individuals with less than $38,500 adjusted net income and families with less than $68,500 adjusted net income.
Who Should I Contact if I Have a Question About the OTB?
If you have any questions about the OTB, you can contact the Province of Ontario at 1-866-668-8297.
Do I get the payment for this
If all 3 individuals co-own a house together, can we all apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit on property tax credit? Do we all input the full property tax amount or divide it up equally? Thanks!