The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) arrives around the 10th of each month for about a third of Ontario households — and newcomers regularly miss their first year of it. Not because they are ineligible, but because of one form that renters assume does not apply to them, and a timeline that runs a year behind.
Quick Answer
The OTB is paid from July to June based on the previous year’s tax return: 2026–27 payments are based on your 2025 return. To get the energy and property tax part — usually the biggest — you must have been a resident of Ontario on December 31, have paid rent or property tax for your principal residence in Ontario, and complete Form ON-BEN with your return. Renters qualify. Work permit holders and students qualify too if they are Ontario residents for tax purposes. If your annual amount is $500 or less, it is paid as one lump sum.
This guide explains general rules. It is not tax advice. Confirm your eligibility with the CRA or a free tax clinic.
What the OTB Is Made Of
| Component | Who it is for | How to claim |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) | Low- to moderate-income residents who paid rent or property tax | Form ON-BEN with your return |
| Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) | Residents of Northern Ontario | Form ON-BEN |
| Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) | Low- to moderate-income residents | Automatic from your return |
Your First Years: The Timeline
| You arrived in Ontario | First return to file | First OTB payments |
|---|---|---|
| During 2025 | 2025 return (filed by April 30, 2026) with ON-BEN | From July 2026, if eligible |
| During 2026 | 2026 return (filed by April 30, 2027) with ON-BEN | From July 2027, if eligible |
Official rule: the CRA says 2026 OTB payments, based on your 2025 return, are issued monthly from July 2026 to June 2027, and that eligibility also depends on where you live at the start of each month.
The ON-BEN Mistake Renters Make
The form asks about “property tax,” so renters skip it. Don’t. The energy and property tax credit counts rent paid for your principal residence. Keep your lease and rent receipts, and enter the total rent you paid in Ontario for the year and your address. Students in residence and people in long-term care have their own rules on the form.
Temporary Residents and Students
Your immigration status does not decide OTB eligibility — tax residency does. Work permit holders and international students who live in Ontario and are residents for tax purposes can qualify, as long as they meet the income and rent or property tax conditions and file ON-BEN. There is no 18-month waiting period like the one for the Canada Child Benefit.
Moving In or Out of Ontario
The OEPTC depends on being an Ontario resident on December 31. If you moved to Ontario late in the year, you may still qualify; if you left Ontario before December 31, you generally do not — and payments stop once you are no longer an Ontario resident at the start of a month (moving provinces as a newcomer).
How the Money Arrives
- Monthly, around the 10th (OTB payment dates).
- As a single July payment if your annual amount is $500 or less.
- You can choose on your return to receive the whole year in June instead.
FAQ
Can I get the OTB on a work permit?
Yes, if you are an Ontario resident for tax purposes and meet the other conditions.
I arrived in October. Can I claim for that year?
If you were an Ontario resident on December 31 and paid rent, you can file ON-BEN with that year’s return; payments would start the following July.
I forgot ON-BEN on my return. Can I fix it?
Yes — you can ask the CRA to change your return and add the ON-BEN information.
