Eligible Ontario residents will receive government payout next week

Certain Ontario residents could be eligible for some extra money from the provincial government this month, with the next round of benefit payments just around the corner.

The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a tax-free government payment issued monthly to eligible residents to help with energy costs, property taxes, and sales taxes.

The benefit combines three separate credits, namely the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit.

You only need to qualify for one of the three credits to receive the OTB, but the amount you receive depends on which credits you're eligible for, your age, income, and living situation.

When is the next Ontario Trillium Benefit payment?

The OTB is paid on the 10th of each month, meaning the next payment is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10. If the 10th falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, payments are issued on the last business day before that date.

Eligible residents who receive their income tax refunds through direct deposit will also receive their OTB payments that way, while those who don't have direct deposit set up will receive their payments by mail.

Northern Ontario Energy Credit

This credit is a tax-free payment designed to help northern Ontario residents with the higher home energy costs associated with living in the region.

The credit is available to eligible residents of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timiskaming.

To qualify for the 2026 benefit, you must have been a resident of northern Ontario on Dec. 31, 2025, and have at least one of the following some time before June 1, 2027: be at least 18 years old, have or previously have had a spouse or common-law partner, or be a parent who lives or previously lived with your child.

You must have also met at least one of the following conditions in 2025, including having 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 and paid for a portion of your accommodation.

Eligible single individuals can receive up to $189, while families can receive up to $290.

Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit

The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit is another tax-free payment that helps eligible residents offset property taxes and sales tax on energy costs.

To qualify for this credit, you must have been an Ontario resident on Dec. 31, 2025, and at some point before June 1, 2027, have been at least 18 years old, have or previously had a spouse or common-law partner, or be a parent who lives or previously lived with your child.

You must also meet at least one of the following conditions in 2025: paid property tax for your principal residence, rented your principal residence, lived on a reserve and paid for your home energy costs, or lived in a public long-term care home and paid an amount for your accommodation.

The maximum credit amounts depend on your age and living situation. Eligible residents between 18 and 64 years old can receive a maximum of $1,307, while those over 65 can receive a maximum of $1,488.

Ontario Sales Tax Credit

The Ontario Sales Tax Credit is designed to help low-to-moderate income residents offset the sales tax they pay on everyday purchases.

For the 2026 benefit year, you must have been an Ontario resident and at some point before June 1, 2027, have been at least 19 years old, have or previously had a spouse or common-law partner, or be a parent who lives or previously lived with your child.

Those who are eligible can receive up to $378, as well as an additional credit of up to $378 for a spouse or common-law partner, and each dependent child who is under 19 on the first day of the payment month.

How to apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit

If you want to receive the OTB, you'll need to file your personal income tax and benefit return each year and complete the ON-BEN application form included in your tax return package, even if you have no income to report.

Once you've submitted your return, the Canada Revenue Agency will determine whether you're eligible for any of the three credits and how much you're entitled to receive.

If you're unsure how much you could get, you can use the CRA's child and family benefits calculator to estimate your entitlement.