Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) Payment Dates 2026: Schedule & Amounts

For millions of Ontario renters and homeowners, the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a crucial financial lifeline. It isn't just "free money"—it is a refund to help cover the high sales tax (HST), soaring property taxes, and expensive home energy bills in the province.

Unlike federal benefits like the GST Credit (which come quarterly), the OTB is usually paid monthly, making it a vital part of your monthly budget.

Live OTB Deposit Tracker: Real-Time Countdown to Your Next Ontario Tax Credit

This is the Official 2026 OTB Payment Schedule, verified against the Ontario Ministry of Finance and CRA circulars. We breakdown the exact deposit dates, the "Street Reality" of banking times, and the specific rules for Northern Ontario residents.

Official 2026 OTB Payment Schedule

Save this table. It shows the exact banking day your money will arrive.

(Note: For a full view of all government deposits, including the federal CCB and GST, check our Master Payment Calendar 2026 pillar guide.)

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The "Weekend Rule":

The OTB is always scheduled for the 10th of the month. However, if the 10th falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the payment is issued on the last business day before the 10th.

• Example: In May 2026, the 10th is a Sunday. Therefore, the payment is issued on Friday, May 8th.

Quick Answers: Common OTB Questions

What day is the Trillium benefit paid 2026?

The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is paid on the 10th of every month. If the 10th falls on a weekend or holiday, the deposit is made on the previous business day (e.g., January 9, 2026).

Why did I get my Trillium benefit all at once?

If your total annual OTB entitlement is $360 or less, the Ontario government does not issue monthly payments. Instead, you receive your entire benefit for the year in a single lump-sum payment in July (the first month of the benefit year).

Who is eligible for the Ontario Trillium Benefit 2026?

To qualify for the OTB, you must be a resident of Ontario on December 31, 2025, and meet at least one criteria: be 18 years or older, have a spouse/common-law partner, or be a parent living with your child. You must file your 2025 tax return to receive payments.

Is the Ontario Trillium Benefit taxable?

No. The Ontario Trillium Benefit is a tax-free payment. You do not need to report it as income on your tax return, and receiving it will not reduce other benefits like Ontario Works (OW) or ODSP.

What Exactly IS the OTB? (The 3 Parts)

Many people think the OTB is one benefit. It is actually three separate credits combined into one single monthly payment.

Depending on where you live and your income, you might qualify for one, two, or all three.

1. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)

This is the "Rent and Property Tax" portion.

• Who gets it: Renters who pay rent, homeowners who pay property tax, and seniors living in long-term care.
• The Formula: It is calculated based on your income and how much rent/tax you paid in 2025.
• Max Amounts (2026 Est):
  • Non-Seniors: Up to $1,283 per year.
  • Seniors: Up to $1,461 per year.

2. Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)

This is a geographic bonus.

• Who gets it: Only residents of Northern Ontario (e.g., Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Algoma, Nipissing).
• Why: To help offset the higher cost of heating homes in the colder northern climate.
• Max Amounts (2026 Est):
  • Single: Up to $185 per year.
  • Families: Up to $285 per year.

3. Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)

This is the "HST Rebate" portion.

• Who gets it: Low-to-moderate income residents to help pay for sales tax on goods.
• The Formula: You get this even if you don't pay rent. It is purely based on income.
• Max Amount (2026 Est): Up to $371 per adult and per child.

Lump Sum vs. Monthly: The "Choice"

One of the most confusing aspects of the OTB is why some people get monthly cheques and others get one big deposit.

1. The Automatic Rule (Under $360)

If your total benefit for the year is $360 or less, you have no choice. The government will send you the full amount in July 2026. You will not receive any payments for the rest of the year.

2. The "User Choice" (Over $360)

If you are entitled to more than $360, you can choose how you want to be paid.

• Default: Monthly payments.
• The Option: You can check a box on your tax return to wait and receive one big lump sum at the end of the benefit year (June 2027).

Strategy: Why choose the Lump Sum?

Some savvy savers choose the "Wait" option. Instead of getting a small $40 deposit every month (which is easy to spend unnoticed), they force a "Savings Account" approach. Then, in June, they receive a **$500-$800 cheque** all at once—perfect for summer vacation or paying off a credit card debt.

Street Reality: Deposit Times by Bank

If you have Direct Deposit, here is exactly when you can expect your OTB funds to clear in 2026:

• Tangerine & PC Financial: These banks are the fastest. Clients often see the deposit as early as 10:30 PM ET on the night before the payment date (e.g., the 9th).
• RBC (Royal Bank): Deposits typically update between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM local time.
• TD Canada Trust: Deposits usually clear between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM ET.
• Scotiabank & CIBC: Deposits generally appear between 12:01 AM and 6:00 AM local time.

"My payment isn't there!"

If it is 7:00 AM on the 10th and you have nothing:

1. Check the Calendar: Is it Saturday? If so, you should have been paid on Friday.
2. Check Your Debt: The CRA can garnish (seize) your Trillium benefit to pay off student loans or tax arrears. They usually send a letter notifying you first.

The "Audit Trap": Keep Your Receipts!

The OTB is the #1 benefit that triggers a "Mini-Audit."

Because the benefit is based on Rent Paid, the CRA frequently sends letters asking for "Proof of Rent."

• The Letter: It will ask for rent receipts for a specific year (e.g., "Please provide receipts for 2025").
• The Danger: If you cannot produce valid receipts from your landlord, the CRA will cancel your benefit and force you to pay back every dollar you received for that year.

What is a Valid Receipt?

A valid rent receipt must include:

• The date.
• The amount paid.
• The address of the rental unit.
• The name of the tenant (You).
• The name and signature of the landlord.

Pro Tip: Do not pay rent in cash without getting a receipt immediately. If your landlord refuses to give receipts (because they are hiding income), you are at risk. You can use cancelled cheques or bank transfer records as backup proof, but a signed receipt is best.

Student Rules: Residence vs. Off-Campus

If you are a post-secondary student in Ontario, your OTB amount depends heavily on where you live.

1. Living Off-Campus (Apartment/House)

• If you sign a lease and pay rent to a landlord, you can claim the full Property Tax Credit.
• You must keep your rent receipts.

2. Living in Residence (Dormitory)

• If you live in a university or college residence (e.g., Humber College Residence, U of T Dorm), you cannot claim the full rent credit.
• The Rule: You can only claim a fixed amount of $25 for the occupancy cost.
• Why: Universities do not pay property tax, so the government does not give you a property tax credit.

The "Moving" Rule (Northern Ontario)

If you receive the Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC), you must be careful when moving.

• Eligibility Check: The CRA checks your eligibility on the 1st of every month.
• The Scenario: If you move from Sudbury (North) to Toronto (South) on November 15th:
  • You are still "Northern" on December 1st (benefit continues).
  • You are "Southern" on January 1st (NOEC stops).
• The Duty: You must update your address with the CRA immediately. If you keep collecting the Northern credit after moving to Toronto, they will find out and charge you interest on the overpayment.

Eligibility for Newcomers

You do not need to be a Canadian Citizen to get the OTB.

• Status: You must be a Resident for Tax Purposes (PR, Refugee, Student Visa, Work Permit).
• The Catch: You must have been a resident of Ontario on December 31, 2025, to get the 2026 payments.
• Moving to Ontario: If you moved to Ontario from another province (e.g., Alberta) in January 2026, you will not get the OTB until the following benefit year (July 2027), because you were not an Ontario resident on Dec 31st of the tax year.

Need More Income?

If your Trillium cheque isn't covering your rent this month, you may need to look for immediate work opportunities.

👉 Find Daily Pay Jobs at BetterPayJobs.ca

About the Author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian labour market researcher and digital entrepreneur specializing in government benefit data and cost-of-living support. As the founder of CanadaPaymentDates.ca and BetterPayJobs.ca, Jeff helps newcomers, students, and workers navigate the Canadian social safety net—from tracking CRA payment schedules to finding entry-level work.

Sources

1. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): Benefit payment dates (OTB)
2. Ontario Ministry of Finance: Ontario Trillium Benefit (Questions & Answers)
3. Government of Ontario: OTB Eligibility & Credits

Note

Official 2026 payment dates and benefit amounts are determined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provincial governments. While we strive to keep this information current, government policies and schedules are subject to change without notice. All data in this guide is verified against official CRA circulars at the time of publication and should be treated as an estimate. We recommend confirming the status of your personal file directly via CRA My Account or by calling the CRA benefit line at 1-800-387-1193.