The Ontario Trillium Benefit can put extra money in your pocket every month, but many people miss out because they do not know they have to ask for part of it on their tax return. If you rent or own your home in Ontario and have a low or modest income, this guide is for you.
At Friendship House in Brantford, we see how rent, heat and hydro squeeze household budgets. We do not handle taxes or benefits, but here is how the Ontario Trillium Benefit works, in plain language.
Quick answer
How do I get the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
File your 2025 tax return and complete Form ON-BEN to apply for the Ontario energy and property tax credit. The Ontario sales tax credit needs no separate application: the Canada Revenue Agency uses your return. 2026 payments are made on the 10th of each month starting in July 2026, or in one payment in July if your yearly amount is $500 or less.
What the Ontario Trillium Benefit is
The Ontario Trillium Benefit, or OTB, is one combined payment of three Ontario credits, paid by the Canada Revenue Agency (opens in a new tab) on Ontario’s behalf.
| Credit | Who it is for | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario energy and property tax credit | Ontario residents who paid rent or property tax for their home | Form ON-BEN with your tax return |
| Northern Ontario energy credit | Residents of Northern Ontario who paid rent, property tax or certain home energy costs | Form ON-BEN with your tax return |
| Ontario sales tax credit | Low and modest income Ontario residents | No form; file your tax return |
Brantford is not in Northern Ontario, so most readers here will get the energy and property tax credit and the sales tax credit.
Who qualifies for the energy and property tax credit
To get the Ontario energy and property tax credit for 2026 payments, the CRA says you must have lived in Ontario on December 31, 2025, and meet at least one condition, such as paying rent or property tax for your main home in 2025.
Renters qualify too, which many people do not realize. You do not need to own a home to benefit. Keep your rent receipts or lease handy when you do your taxes.
The Ontario sales tax credit
The Ontario sales tax credit helps low and modest income people with the sales tax they pay. For payments from July 2026 to June 2027, the maximum is $378 per adult and $378 per child.
You do not fill out a form for this credit. The CRA works it out from your tax return and sends you a notice if you qualify. The credit is reduced as income rises, so it is aimed at people with lower incomes.
How to apply, step by step
- File your 2025 income tax return.
- Complete Form ON-BEN, the application for the 2026 Ontario Trillium Benefit, with your return.
- Have your 2025 rent or property tax amounts ready.
- Sign up for direct deposit with the CRA, so payments arrive faster.
- Watch for your notice of assessment and benefit notice.
If you need help filing, a free tax clinic may be able to do your return. Our guide on how to file taxes for free (opens in a new tab) explains how.
When the Ontario Trillium Benefit is paid
The CRA usually divides your yearly amount by 12 and pays it monthly. 2026 payments are issued on the 10th of each month, starting in July 2026.
- If the 10th falls on a weekend or holiday, you are paid on the last working day before it.
- If your yearly amount is $500 or less, it is paid in one lump sum, usually in July.
- You can choose on your return to wait and get it in one payment on June 10, 2027, if your yearly amount is over $500.
Monthly payments are often easier for budgeting, especially through winter when heating costs climb. Mark the 10th on your calendar so you know when the money arrives, and plan bills such as rent and hydro around it.
The Ontario Child Benefit
Families with children may also get the Ontario Child Benefit. For July 2026 to June 2027, it is up to $146.66 a month for each child under 18, with smaller amounts at higher family incomes.
The Ontario Child Benefit is paid together with the Canada Child Benefit in one monthly payment. Our guide on how to support a single parent (opens in a new tab) explains how to apply for the Canada Child Benefit.
Seniors and people who own their homes
Homeowners can also qualify for the Ontario energy and property tax credit, based on the property tax they paid. The ON-BEN form for 2026 is also the application for the Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant, so older homeowners should look at it carefully.
If you live in a long-term care home or a student residence, different rules can apply. Check the CRA page for your situation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not filing a tax return because your income was low.
- Forgetting Form ON-BEN, which is needed for the energy and property tax credit.
- Not keeping rent receipts or a lease.
- Moving without updating your address with the CRA.
- Paying someone who promises “guaranteed” benefits; see our guide on how to spot a scam (opens in a new tab).
Questions about the benefit
For questions about the Ontario Trillium Benefit, the CRA lists a policy enquiries line at 1-866-ONT-TAXS (1-866-668-8297). For questions about your own payments, contact the CRA.
Make every dollar go further
Benefits help, but they rarely cover everything. Friendship House at 452 Grey Street offers free breakfast from 8 a.m., a hot meal Monday to Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m., and the Food Bank on Wednesdays (opens in a new tab). For more ways to stretch your budget, see how to budget on a low income (opens in a new tab).
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
It is one combined payment of the Ontario energy and property tax credit, the Northern Ontario energy credit and the Ontario sales tax credit, paid by the CRA.
How do I apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
File your 2025 tax return and complete Form ON-BEN for the energy and property tax credit. The sales tax credit needs no separate application.
When is the Ontario Trillium Benefit paid?
2026 payments are made on the 10th of each month starting in July 2026. If your yearly amount is $500 or less, it is paid in one lump sum, usually in July.
Can renters get the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
Yes. Paying rent for your main home in Ontario is one of the conditions for the Ontario energy and property tax credit.
How much is the Ontario sales tax credit?
For July 2026 to June 2027, the maximum is $378 per adult and per child, reduced as income rises.
A few extra minutes at tax time can mean help every month. File your return, include Form ON-BEN, and visit our free services at Friendship House (opens in a new tab) whenever you need a meal along the way.
