March has arrived, and with it comes a fresh round of government payments Canadians can get this month.
If you're in Ontario, you might be looking forward to the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) payment for March 2025. This extra cash could help cover essentials like energy bills and property taxes — offering some relief in the face of the rising cost of living.
Funded by the Government of Ontario but distributed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the OTB is designed to support low- to moderate-income households across the province. The amount you receive depends on factors like your income, family size and where you live.
If you haven't checked your eligibility in a while, now might be a good time — some Ontarians could qualify for a government payment worth hundreds of dollars every month.
Here's what you need to know about the Ontario Trillium Benefit for March 2025, including who qualifies, how much you could get and when the money will hit your bank account.
What is the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a tax-free monthly payment designed to help Ontario residents manage essential expenses like energy bills, property taxes and sales tax. The funding comes from the provincial government, but the CRA handles the distribution.
The OTB bundles three separate credits into a single payment — the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC), the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) and the Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC).
If you qualify for any of these credits, you'll receive the OTB.
More about the Ontario Trillium Benefit
Who is eligible for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
To receive the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) payment in March, you need to have filed your 2023 tax return — even if you had no taxable income. The CRA reviews your return to determine eligibility based on factors like household income.
Haven't filed yet? It's not too late! Submitting your return now could unlock payments you're entitled to receive.
You must also be at least 18 years old or have (or had) a spouse, common-law partner or child who lives with you to qualify for any of the credits. The age requirement for the OSTC is slightly higher — you need to be at least 19.
Beyond that, the other two credits that make up the OTB have specific eligibility criteria:
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit — Available to Ontarians who pay eligible housing costs, including rent, property tax, home energy costs on a reserve or accommodation in a public long-term care home.
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit — Designed for northern Ontarians living in Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timiskaming who have paid any of the same eligible housing costs.
If you're married or in a common-law relationship, both your and your partner's tax filings will be used to calculate your payment.
If you're turning 18 before July, filing your 2023 taxes also ensures you'll start receiving OTB payments as soon as you're eligible.
How much can you receive from the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
There's no set amount for the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) — since the OTB is made up of three different credits, each with its own eligibility rules and payout limits, the total amount varies from person to person. What you get for each one depends on factors like your income, age, family size, location and how much you pay in rent or property taxes.
Here's a breakdown of the maximum annual amounts you could receive from each credit:
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit: Up to $360 each for you, your spouse and any dependent children.
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit: Up to $1,248 if you're between 18 and 64, or up to $1,421 if you're 65 or older. You can also get an additional $277 if you live on a reserve or in a public long-term care home, plus $25 if you lived in a school residence in 2023.
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit: Up to $180 for individuals or $277 for families.
The CRA calculates your total OTB amount and divides it into 12 monthly payments. However, if your annual entitlement is $360 or less, you'll receive it as a lump sum in July instead of monthly instalments.
When do Ontario Trillium Benefit payments go out?
The next Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) payment is set for Monday, March 10. These payments are usually issued on the 10th of each month, but if that date falls on a weekend or holiday, the money is deposited on the closest business day before it.
Here are all the remaining OTB payment dates for the 2024 benefit year:
- March 10, 2025
- April 10, 2025
- May 9, 2025
- June 10, 2025
Keep in mind that if your total OTB entitlement for the year was $360 or less, you wouldn't receive monthly payments — instead, the CRA would have sent your full amount as a lump sum last July.
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Ontario Trillium Benefit payments for March go out soon — Here's how much you can get
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