Middle- and low-income Ontarians can expect another monthly benefit to arrive in their bank accounts on Friday.
The Ontario Trillium Benefit was first introduced in 2011 under then-premier Dalton McGuinty. It rolled pre-existing provincial credits into one benefit with consistent monthly payments as part of the province’s poverty reduction strategy at the time.
This latest round of payments comes as Canadians continue to grapple with a heightened cost of living that has especially squeezed lower income earners. A record number of Ontarians are turning to food banks for help. Rent — despite indications that, on average, prices are cooling off — is still high for many. Add to that, wages have remained consistently stagnant in several industries. A Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report from September found that minimum wage workers would need to earn double the current amount to afford Toronto rents.
The benefit — an umbrella for three separate credits, all with different eligibility requirements — can be difficult to navigate. Here’s what you need to know about the program and whether you’re eligible.
What is the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
The OTB is a combination of three separate credits — the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit — meant to help alleviate everything from energy costs to sales and property taxes.
Who is eligible?
You must be eligible for at least one of the three credits included in the OTB, and conditions for each differ, but generally you must be 18 years of age, or older, and an Ontario resident.
The Northern Ontario Energy Credit is meant to help higher home energy costs for Northern Ontarians and only applies to those living in Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timiskaming.
For the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, you must meet several conditions, including being currently or previously married or in a common-law relationship and paying property taxes or renting, among other requirements.
Finally the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, meant to help Ontarians with the sales tax they pay, requires you to be 19 years of age or older, or currently or previously married or in a common-law relationship.
How much can I receive?
The amount you will receive depends on your income, household size and which credits you qualify for.
The Northern Ontario Energy Credit has a maximum amount of $180 for a single person, but you must live in northern Ontario.
The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, meant to offset property taxes and sales tax on energy costs provides a maximum of $1,248 if you’re between 18 and 64 years old, $1,421 if you’re 65 and older, $277 if you live on a reserve or in a public long-term-care home or $25 if you live in a designated college, university or private school residence.
For the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, individuals can receive up to $360 and an additional credit for spouses, common-law partners and dependants under 19.
To calculate how much you could get, the CRA has a child and family benefits calculator online.
When can I expect the benefit?
The OTB is usually divided into monthly payments and usually issued on the 10th day of each month.
If you qualify for more than $360 from any of the three credits included in the Ontario Trillium Benefit, you can choose to have your benefit paid out in monthly installments or all at once in a single payment in June.
For November, eligible Ontarians should see the payment in their bank account on the 8th if they chose to receive the benefit on a monthly basis.
If you are married or have a common-law partner, the OTB payments go out to the person whose tax return is assessed first, and the payment will be the same no matter who applies.
The Ontario government is also warning of text message scams that purport to be OTB payments, asking you to click on a link to receive your money.
The government will never send you texts asking for your personal or business information, to receive a tax credit or benefit, to receive a tax refund or to make a payment.
How can I apply?
To receive the benefit, you need to have filed your personal income tax and benefit return, and the Canada Revenue Agency automatically assess you for the OTB.
Payments may arrive later if you don’t have direct deposit set-up with the CRA or if you filed your income tax return late.
You can contact the CRA if you qualified for the Ontario Trillium Benefit but didn’t receive your payment, or received less than expected, by the 24th.
