Updated June 2026
Ontario Trillium Benefit 2026: Payment Dates and Amounts
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a tax-free payment that helps Ontario residents with the cost of energy, property tax, and sales tax. It lands in your account once a month, usually around the 10th, and for many households it’s one of the most reliable pieces of income in the budget. That’s exactly why so many people search for the OTB payment dates: when money is tight, you want to know the day that deposit arrives so you can plan rent, groceries, and bills around it.
This guide lays out the 2026 Ontario Trillium Benefit payment dates, what the OTB actually includes, how much you can get, and what to do if the gap between payments leaves you short.
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Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment Dates 2026
The OTB is paid monthly, normally on the 10th of each month. When the 10th falls on a weekend or a holiday, the payment goes out on the last business day before it. Here are the confirmed 2026 dates.
| Month | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| January | Friday, January 9 (shifted earlier) |
| February | Tuesday, February 10 |
| March | Tuesday, March 10 |
| April | Friday, April 10 |
| May | Friday, May 8 (shifted earlier) |
| June | Wednesday, June 10 |
| July | Friday, July 10 |
| August | Monday, August 10 |
| September | Thursday, September 10 |
| October | Friday, October 9 (shifted earlier) |
| November | Tuesday, November 10 |
| December | Thursday, December 10 |
If you’re on direct deposit, the money typically shows up in your account on the payment date. A mailed cheque can take several business days longer to arrive.
What the OTB Includes
The Ontario Trillium Benefit isn’t a single credit. It combines three separate provincial credits into one monthly payment. You need to qualify for at least one of them to receive the OTB.
| Credit | What it helps with | Maximum (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) | Offsets sales tax for lower income households | Up to $378 per adult and per child under 19 |
| Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) | Helps with property tax and energy costs | Up to $1,307 (ages 18 to 64) or $1,488 (65 and over) |
| Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) | Extra energy help for Northern Ontario residents | Up to $189 (single) or $290 (family) |
Your total OTB is the sum of whichever credits you qualify for, spread across the year. Many people qualify for the OSTC and the OEPTC together, while the NOEC only applies if you live in Northern Ontario.
How Much Will You Get?
There’s no single OTB amount, because your total depends on which of the three credits you qualify for, your family situation, and your income. The maximum amounts above apply to lower-income households, and the payment shrinks as income rises.
As a rough picture, a single adult who qualifies for the sales tax credit and the energy and property tax credit could receive a four-figure annual total, paid out in monthly instalments. A family with children can receive more because the OSTC is paid per adult and per child under 19. The only way to see your exact figure is to file your tax return and let the Canada Revenue Agency calculate it, but the maximums give you the ceiling to aim for.
Monthly or Lump Sum?
How your OTB is paid depends on your total amount for the year, and there’s one key threshold to know: $360.
- More than $360 a year: you choose how to receive it. You can take monthly payments starting in July, or one lump sum at the end of the benefit year in June.
- $360 or less a year: you do not get a choice. It is paid as a single lump sum in July.
So if you were expecting monthly deposits and instead got one payment, your annual total was likely $360 or under, or you opted for the lump sum when you filed.
Key Takeaway
The OTB is paid monthly around the 10th, but only if your annual total is over $360. If it is $360 or less, you get one lump sum in July instead of monthly payments.
How to Qualify and Apply
The OTB is based on your prior-year tax return. Your 2026 payments are calculated from your 2025 return, so filing on time matters even if you had little or no income.
- File your taxes. You must file a tax return for the relevant year, even with no income, or the OTB cannot be calculated.
- Complete the ON-BEN application. This is the form attached to your Ontario tax return that applies for the Trillium Benefit. Skipping it means no payment, even if you qualify.
- Meet the residency rules. You generally need to be an Ontario resident and qualify for at least one of the three credits.
Once you’ve filed and the CRA has assessed your return, your OTB is set for the benefit year, which runs from July to the following June.
If Money Is Tight Between Payments
A once-a-month deposit is helpful, but it doesn’t always line up with rent week or a surprise bill. If you’re working and waiting on your next paycheque or your next OTB deposit, an earned wage advance can cover the gap without sending you to a payday lender.
NotchUp lets you access wages you’ve already earned, before payday. It’s earned wage access, not a loan. There’s no credit check and no SIN required, and the money arrives by Interac e-Transfer in about 15 minutes, day or night. The fee is a flat $5 on any advance from $50 to $1,500, so there’s no interest stacking up the way it would with a payday loan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day is the OTB paid in 2026?
Monthly, usually on the 10th. In 2026, three dates shift earlier because the 10th falls on a weekend: January 9, May 8, and October 9. When the 10th lands on a weekend or holiday, the payment goes out on the last business day before it.
How much is the OTB?
It depends on which of the three credits you qualify for and your income. Maximums in 2026 are up to $378 per adult and child for the sales tax credit, up to $1,307 (or $1,488 if you’re 65 or older) for the energy and property tax credit, and up to $189 to $290 for the Northern Ontario energy credit.
Why did I get a lump sum instead of monthly?
If your total annual OTB is $360 or less, it’s automatically paid as a single lump sum in July rather than monthly. If your total is over $360, you may have chosen the lump sum option when you filed.
Do I have to apply for the OTB?
Yes. You need to file your tax return and complete the ON-BEN application form, even if you had no income. Without both, the OTB can’t be calculated or paid.
What if my OTB is late or missing?
Direct deposits usually arrive on the payment date, while mailed cheques can take several extra business days. If your payment is more than a few days late, confirm your tax return and ON-BEN form were filed and check that your address and banking details with the CRA are current.
