OTB vs. CCB: Are They the Same? (Ontario Trillium Benefit Explained)

If you live in Ontario, you likely see a variety of deposits in your bank account labeled "Canada FPT" or "CRA." Two of the most common are the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) and the Canada Child Benefit (CCB).

Because both are non-taxable and arrive regularly, many residents assume they are the same program or that one is just a "supplement" of the other. In reality, they are completely separate. One is a federal program for parents, and the other is a provincial program for all low-to-moderate-income residents—including those without children.

This is the Official 2026 Comparison Guide. We clear up the confusion between the OTB and CCB, provide the 2026 payment schedule for both, and show you why "ticking the wrong box" on your tax return could delay your money for an entire year.

OTB vs. CCB: The At-A-Glance Comparison

Section 1: What is the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)?

The OTB is a "three-in-one" payment. The Ontario government combines three separate tax credits into one deposit to simplify the process.

1. Ontario Sales Tax Credit: Helps with the sales tax you pay on everything from clothes to electronics.
2. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC): Helps renters and homeowners with the cost of property taxes and the sales tax on heat and hydro.
3. Northern Ontario Energy Credit: An extra supplement for those living in the North (e.g., Sudbury, Thunder Bay) to help with higher heating costs.

The "$360 Rule" (Crucial for 2026)

The OTB has a unique rule regarding how you get paid.

• If you are owed $360 or less: You get the whole amount as a lump sum in July.
• If you are owed more than $360: You get paid monthly (1/12th of the total each month).

Section 2: What is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)?

The CCB is the federal government’s primary tool for reducing child poverty. Unlike the OTB, which cares about your rent and energy costs, the CCB only cares about your income and the number of children in your home.

The 2026 CCB Amounts

For the current benefit year (July 2025 to June 2026), the maximums are:

• Under 6: $7,997 per year ($666.42/month)
• Ages 6–17: $6,748 per year ($562.33/month)

The OCB Confusion: In Ontario, there is also the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB). This is a provincial payment of up to $1,750 per year. It is added to your CCB cheque, not your Trillium (OTB) cheque.

Technical Breakdown: Why "Form ON-BEN" is Your Most Important Tax Document

If you are an Ontario resident, the single biggest mistake you can make at tax time is ignoring Form ON-BEN. While the federal GST/HST credit is calculated automatically based on your income, the OTB requires you to declare how much you paid in rent or property tax.

The "Rent Data" Gap:

If you file your taxes but leave the ON-BEN form blank, the CRA assumes you did not pay rent. In 2026, this error could cost a single person up to $1,283 in lost credits per year.

• The Fix: Ensure you have your total rent paid for the calendar year 2025 and the name of your landlord ready.
• Special Case: If you lived in an Ontario Student Residence, you only qualify for a flat $25 credit for the year, but you should still tick the box to ensure you get your Sales Tax Credit portion (worth approx. $371).

Choosing Your Payment: Monthly vs. Annual

Most residents don't realize that for the 2025–2026 benefit year, you have a choice in how you receive your Trillium money—but only if your total benefit is over $360.

• Option A: Monthly Payments (Default): You get 1/12th of your money on the 10th of every month. This is best for those using the money to pay for monthly bills like hydro or internet.
• Option B: Annual Lump Sum: You can choose to wait and receive the entire amount in June 2026. This is essentially a "forced savings account."

Which should you choose?

In 2026, with interest rates still relevant, taking the money monthly is usually the smarter financial move. It allows you to use the cash immediately rather than giving the government an interest-free loan for 12 months. However, if you struggle with budgeting, choosing the June lump sum can provide a "bonus" cheque just in time for summer vacations.

The "Sales Tax Credit" vs. "OCB": Clearing the Naming Confusion

One reason parents are confused is the similarity of the acronyms used by the CRA.

OSTC (Ontario Sales Tax Credit):

This is part of your OTB (Trillium). It is paid to adults to offset the sales tax on goods. You get this whether you have children or not. In 2026, the maximum is $371 per adult and per child.20

OCB (Ontario Child Benefit):

This is NOT part of your Trillium payment. It is a provincial payment specifically for children.21

• The Payment Method: The OCB is added to your federal CCB cheque (the one on the 20th).
• The Confusion: If your CCB increases by $140, it's usually because your OCB was recalculated. If your Trillium increases by $30, it's because your OSTC was recalculated.

Retroactive Claims: The "18-Month Rule" for Newcomers

If you moved to Ontario from another country on a Work Permit, there is a significant difference in how you claim these two benefits retroactively.

For the OTB (Trillium):

You are eligible the moment you become a resident of Ontario. If you arrived in October 2025, you can claim the OTB on your 2026 tax return for the months you were here. The government will issue a retroactive lump sum for those months shortly after your return is assessed.

For the CCB (Child Tax):

The rules are stricter for temporary residents. Under federal law, you must have lived in Canada for 18 consecutive months and have a valid permit in the 19th month to qualify for the CCB.22

• The 2026 Strategy: If you reach your 19th month in April 2026, you can apply for the CCB and ask for retroactive payments for the previous months. However, you will not get the CCB for your first 18 months in Canada.
• The Exception: Permanent Residents (PRs) and Protected Persons (Refugees) can claim the CCB from their Day 1 in Ontario.

Student Strategy: The "Lump Sum July" Payment

As an international student, your income is likely very low. This usually means your OTB entitlement will be exactly the maximum ($371 for sales tax + a portion for rent).

• The $360 Threshold: If your total calculated benefit is exactly $360 or less, the CRA will not send you monthly payments.²³
• The Surprise: Many students are confused when they don't get a payment in January or February. This is because they were paid the entire year's worth of Trillium as a single "CANADA FPT" deposit in July.

Marital Status Changes and the "Double-Dip" Warning

If you and your partner separated in 2025, you must update the CRA immediately.

• CCB: Only the primary caregiver (usually the parent the children live with) gets the CCB.²⁴
• OTB: Both of you may now be eligible for individual Trillium benefits based on your own new rental costs.

The "Debt Trap": If you keep receiving the CCB and OTB as a "Coupled" household but are actually living apart, the CRA will eventually find out when you file separate tax returns. They will then issue a Notice of Debt, requiring you to pay back the overpayment from the date of your separation..

Official 2026 Payment Schedule: OTB vs. CCB

Bookmark these dates for your 2026 budget. Both are usually deposited in the morning of the dates below.

Why Your Payments Might Suddenly Change

The "July Recalculation"

Both the CCB and OTB run on a "July to June" benefit year.

• Jan–June 2026: Your payments are based on your 2024 taxes.
• July–Dec 2026: Your payments are based on your 2025 taxes.

If you earned more money in 2025 than in 2024, your CCB and OTB will both drop starting in July 2026.

Moving Provinces

If you move from Ontario to Alberta, your CCB continues (because it is federal). However, your OTB will stop, and you will have to apply for the Alberta Child and Family Benefit instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to apply for the Trillium Benefit every year?

Yes. You apply by filing your income tax return and completing Form ON-BEN. If you forget to include the ON-BEN form, the CRA will not know you paid rent or property tax, and you will miss out on the energy and property components of the OTB.

Can single people without kids get the OTB?

Absolutely. While you cannot get the CCB without children, the OTB is open to anyone over 18 (or 19 for the sales tax portion) who meets the income and residency requirements.

Does the OTB affect my CCB amount?

No. The OTB is not considered income. It will not reduce your CCB, and your CCB will not reduce your OTB.

Need to Bridge a Cash Flow Gap?

The OTB and CCB provide a great safety net, but they often aren't enough to cover the full cost of rent and groceries in 2026. If you are looking for high-paying, flexible roles in Ontario that pay "Daily" to help you get through to the next 10th or 20th of the month:

👉 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

• Canada Revenue Agency: Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) overview
• Government of Ontario: Trillium Benefit levels and eligibility 2026
• CRA: Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Maximum Payments 2026

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.