Ontario Trillium Benefit payments for August are going out early — Here's when and how much
Payments just increased too! 💰
Ontario residents can get hundreds of dollars from the OTB in August.
August has officially arrived, and with it, a fresh drop of government money is on the way for Ontario residents. If you're getting the Ontario Trillium Benefit this year, keep an eye on your account, because your next payment is coming soon.
Thanks to the way the calendar shakes out, this August benefit deposit will land a few days earlier than usual — always a nice surprise when you're budgeting for rent, groceries or energy bills.
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a monthly government payment designed to help lower- and middle-income households handle the rising cost of living. It's paid out by the Canada Revenue Agency, even though it's funded by the Ontario government — so keep an eye out for a deposit from the CRA.
This year's OTB payments are now based on your 2024 tax return and include a modest increase to keep up with inflation. That adjustment took effect with the last payment in July, so if your amount looks different — or if you're suddenly getting the benefit for the first time — that's why.
Here's everything you need to know about the Ontario Trillium Benefit for August 2025 — including who qualifies, how much you could receive and the full list of trillium payment dates.
What is the OTB?
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a monthly payment that supports eligible Ontarians with some of their basic expenses. It's tax-free and helps offset costs tied to energy use, property taxes and the HST on everyday goods.
The OTB rolls together the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit and the Northern Ontario Energy Credit. If you're eligible for at least one of those three credits, you'll get the OTB.
The Ontario government funds the benefit, but it's the CRA that actually sends the money out. Since the new benefit year began in July, payments are now calculated using your 2024 tax return.
Who qualifies for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
To receive the Ontario Trillium Benefit in 2025, you must have filed your 2024 tax return and meet the eligibility criteria for at least one of the three credits that make up the benefit. You also need to be a resident of Ontario and either be 18 or older, have (or have had) a spouse or common-law partner, or be a parent who currently lives or previously lived with your child.
The Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) is the simplest to qualify for — aside from meeting the above conditions, the only additional requirement is that you're at least 19 years old.
The other two credits come with more specific qualifications.
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) — You may qualify if, during 2024, any of the following applied to you:
- You paid rent or property tax for your primary residence.
- You paid home energy bills while living on a reserve.
- You paid for accommodation in a public or non-profit long-term care home.
- You lived in a student residence at a college, university or private school.
Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) — You're eligible for this credit if, in 2024, you lived in Northern Ontario (Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay or Timiskaming) and one of the following applied:
- You paid rent or property tax for your principal residence.
- You paid home energy bills while living on a reserve.
- You paid for accommodation in a public or non-profit long-term care home.
NOEC recipients can also get the OEPTC — it's not one or the other.
You must also still be living in Ontario (or Northern Ontario, for the NOEC) on the first day of any month you receive a payment. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, both of you must file your 2024 returns — your combined net income is used to calculate the benefit.
How much is the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
The amount you receive from the Ontario Trillium Benefit depends on which credits you qualify for and your personal situation — things like your income, age, family size and where you live all affect the total.
For the 2025 benefit year, here are the maximum annual amounts you could receive from each credit:
- OSTC: Up to $371 per person in your household, including children. The amount starts to go down if your net income is above $28,506 (for single people) or $35,632 (for couples and single parents).
- OEPTC: Up to $1,283 if you're between 18 and 64 years old, or up to $1,481 if you're 65 or older. Reductions begin if your household income is over $28,506 (for singles), $35,632 (for couples, single parents and single seniors) or $42,758 (for senior couples).
- NOEC: Up to $185 for single adults with no children, or up to $285 for couples and single parents. This one starts to phase out once your income goes over $49,885 (individuals) or $64,138 (families).
Once the CRA determines your total for the year, the amount is usually split into 12 monthly payments. That means someone who qualifies for all three credits can get up to $168.08 a month if they're single, or up to $269.16 monthly for a family of four.
If your total benefit is $360 or less, you'll have received it all in one lump sum in July. For a personalized estimate, check your CRA My Account or try the federal benefits calculator online.
How to apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit
To receive the OTB in 2025, you must file your 2024 income tax return — even if you didn't earn any income. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they also need to file their return. The CRA uses that info to determine your family's eligibility.
There's no separate application required for the OSTC — the CRA checks your eligibility automatically when your return is processed. In most cases, the full credit for a couple is paid to the person whose return is assessed first, unless one of you is 64 or older, in which case it usually goes to the older partner.
If you want to be considered for the OEPTC and/or the NOEC, you'll need to complete Form ON-BEN when filing your taxes. It's part of the standard Ontario tax package, and most tax software will walk you through it during the filing process.
Once your return is assessed, the CRA will send you a notice with your total OTB amount for the year. To keep the payments coming each year, just be sure to file your taxes annually.
If you're not old enough yet but turning 18 before June 1, 2026, you should still apply. If you qualify, your payments will begin the month after your birthday.
Is the Ontario Trillium Benefit taxable?
No, the OTB is a tax-free payment. You don't need to include it as income on your tax return, and it won't affect your refund or how much tax you owe. The payments are meant to offset taxes you've already paid — like sales tax, property tax or energy costs — so they aren't counted when calculating your overall income.
When is the Ontario Trillium Benefit paid?
The OTB is usually paid on the 10th of each month, although if that lands on a weekend or holiday, the payment is issued on the last business day before that.
For August 2025, the payment will be deposited a few days early on Friday, August 8, since the regular date falls on a Sunday.
Here are the other scheduled payment dates for the rest of 2025:
- Wednesday, September 10
- Friday, October 10
- Monday, November 10
- Wednesday, December 10
Don't forget that if your total benefit for the year is $360 or less, the CRA will have sent it as a one-time lump sum in July instead of monthly payments. Also, if your benefit is more than $360 but you chose to receive it as a single annual payment when you filed your taxes, that amount will be sent out in June 2026, at the end of the benefit year.
Love this? Check out our Narcity noticeboard for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!
AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of Narcity's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.