TORONTO, June 3, 2026 – The Canada Revenue Agency says eligible Ontario residents who want to receive the Ontario Trillium Benefit monthly starting in July must have their 2025 tax return assessed by June 19. Low-income renters, newcomer families and seniors with limited English who have not yet filed their taxes or are unsure whether their return has been assessed may face a delay in receiving their first payment.
The Ontario Trillium Benefit includes the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and the Northern Ontario Energy Credit. According to CRA information, eligible residents whose 2025 tax returns are assessed by June 19 will usually begin receiving monthly payments starting July 10. If a return is assessed after June 19, the first payment is usually issued within four to eight weeks after assessment and will include any amounts owed for earlier months.
For families that rely on benefit payments to manage rent, food, transportation and energy costs, delayed payments may affect summer cash flow. Some low-income residents may mistakenly believe they do not need to file taxes if they had no income or do not owe tax. However, tax assessment results are also used to determine eligibility for several federal and provincial benefits. If a tax return has not been filed, or has been filed but not yet assessed, benefit eligibility and payment timing may be affected.
Renting households should also check the address, family status and housing cost information reported on their tax return. The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit is linked to income, place of residence, rent or property tax information. Residents who moved, got married, separated, had a child or experienced changes in household income over the past year should confirm that their information has been updated with CRA.
It is important to note that June 19 is not the final application deadline for the Ontario Trillium Benefit. Residents whose returns are assessed after that date may still receive retroactive payments if they are eligible. However, for families with tight budgets, receiving the first payment several weeks later can still affect monthly expenses. Residents who have not filed their taxes or are unsure about assessment status should check their CRA account as soon as possible, and keep rent receipts, property tax records and household member information.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
