Last Updated On 3 May 2025, 9:35 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is delivering five key CRA benefit payments to help Ontario residents, newcomers, and temporary residents cover living costs, family expenses, and more.

From the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) to the Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) for late tax filers, these CRA benefit payments offer significant relief.

This guide details each benefit, CRA benefit payment dates, amounts, and eligibility—optimized for newcomers and temporary residents. Read on to maximize your benefits!

The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a powerhouse of financial support, delivering tax-free monthly payments to low- and middle-income Ontarians.

The OTB combines three credits—the Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC), Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC), and Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)—to ease the burden of sales tax, energy costs, and property taxes.

In a province where winter heating bills can soar and property costs in cities like Toronto or Mississauga climb relentlessly, the OTB is a beacon of relief for renters, homeowners, and seniors alike.

Eligibility for Ontario Residents

To qualify for the OTB in May 2025, you must:

• Be an Ontario resident as of December 31, 2024.
• Have filed your 2024 income tax return by April 30, 2025.
• Meet income thresholds, as benefits decrease with higher earnings.
• Qualify for at least one of the three credits:
  • OSTC: Available to individuals or families with low to moderate income.
  • OEPTC: For those paying rent or property taxes for a principal residence in Ontario, living in a public long-term care home, on a reserve with energy costs, or in a designated post-secondary residence in 2024.
  • NOEC: For residents north of Parry Sound with energy expenses.

Newcomers and Temporary Residents:

• Eligible if you’re a Canadian resident for tax purposes (e.g., citizens, permanent residents, temporary residents with valid permits like work or study visas, or protected persons).
• Must be residing in the province on December 31, 2024, and file a 2024 tax return claiming the credits.
• Temporary residents, such as international students or work permit holders, qualify after 18 consecutive months in the country with a valid permit, provided they meet income and residency criteria.

Payment Amounts

The OTB payment in May 2025 depends on your income, family size, and location.

Maximum annual amounts (prorated monthly) include:

• OSTC: Up to $360 per adult or child (~$30/month).
• OEPTC: Up to $1,248 for non-seniors ($104/month) or $1,421 for seniors ($118.41/month).
• NOEC: Up to $180 for singles ($15/month) or $277 for families ($23.08/month) in Northern Ontario.

Example Scenarios:

• A family of four in Tobermory qualifying for all credits could receive up to $351.08 in May.
• A senior couple in Sudbury with OEPTC and NOEC might get $141.49/month.
• A single renter in Ottawa claiming OSTC and OEPTC could see $134/month.

If your annual OTB entitlement is $360 or less, you may have received a lump-sum payment in July 2024 instead of monthly payouts.

OTB Payment Date

• May 9, 2025: Funds arrive via direct deposit or cheque, offering timely support for spring expenses.

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a cornerstone of family support, delivering tax-free monthly payments to help Ontario parents raise children under 18.

In a province where daycare costs in Mississauga can top $1,000/month and rural families in places like Kenora face high travel expenses, the CCB funds essentials like food, clothing, and extracurriculars.

It also includes additional support for children with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the CCB in May 2025, you must:

• Live with a child under 18 and be their primary caregiver (shared custody may split benefits).
• Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes (citizens, permanent residents, temporary residents with valid permits, or protected persons).
• Have a 2024 adjusted family net income that meets CRA thresholds (lower earners receive more).

Newcomers and Temporary Residents:

• Eligible after 18 consecutive months in the country with a valid permit (e.g., work or study visa) and qualification for social benefits under their status.
• Must register the child with the CRA and file a 2024 tax return.
• Examples: Refugee claimants or temporary workers in Ontario can qualify if they’ve established tax residency.

Payment Amounts

CCB payments are based on your 2024 income, number of children, and their ages. For families with incomes under $36,502, maximum monthly amounts for May 2025 are:

• Children under 6: $648.91/month ($7,787/year).
• Children aged 6–17: $547.50/month ($6,570/year).
• Children with disabilities: Up to $3,173/year (prorated monthly, ~$264.42/month).

Higher-income families receive reduced payments, calculated using the CRA’s child and family benefits calculator.

Example Scenarios:

• A single parent in Ottawa with two kids (ages 4 and 8) and low income could receive $1,196.41/month.
• A middle-income family in London with three children (ages 5, 7, and 10) might get $1,500/month.
• A newcomer family in Toronto with a disabled child could see $913.33/month for one child.

CCB Payment Date

• May 20, 2025: Payments arrive via direct deposit or cheque, aligning with spring and summer budgeting needs.

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a taxable monthly pension that replaces part of your income in retirement, rewarding Ontarians who’ve contributed during their working years.

From retirees in Niagara’s wine country to former workers in Sudbury’s mining sector, the CPP supports healthcare, leisure, and daily living in retirement.

Eligibility for Ontario Residents

To qualify for CPP in May 2025, you must:

• Be at least 60 years old.
• Have made at least one valid CPP contribution from work in the country or through credits from a former spouse/partner.

Newcomers and Temporary Residents:

• Eligible if they’ve worked in the country and contributed to CPP (e.g., via work permits).
• Contributions from short-term work in Ontario count, even if you’re no longer a resident, provided you apply for benefits.
• International social security agreements may allow contributions to count toward pensions in other countries.

How CPP Is Calculated

The CPP pension is a personalized calculation based on your working life:

• Contributory Period: From age 18 to when you start CPP or turn 70 (e.g., 47 years from 18 to 65).
• Pensionable Earnings: Income between $3,500 (basic exemption) and the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE, $71,300 in 2025). Earnings above this cap are excluded.
• Drop-Out Provisions: Up to 8 years of lowest earnings are dropped from the base CPP calculation, boosting your average. For the enhanced CPP (post-2019), it uses your best 40 years.
• Base CPP: 25% of average pensionable earnings over your contributory period (minus drop-outs).
• Enhanced CPP: Since 2019, rises to 33.33% of average earnings by 2025, with a second tier for earnings between $71,300 and the Year’s Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YAMPE, ~$81,200) at a 4% contribution rate.
• Age Adjustment: Starting at 60 reduces your pension by 0.6% per month (36% total); delaying to 70 increases it by 0.7% per month (42% total).

CPP Payment Amounts

For 2025:

• Maximum at age 65: $1,433/month ($17,196/year).
• Average: ~$900/month (based on 2024 data, adjusted for 2025).
• Amounts vary by contributions, earnings history, and start age.

Example Scenarios:

• A retiree in Barrie with 40 years of maximum contributions starting at 65 could get $1,433/month.
• A former temporary worker in Toronto with 10 years of contributions might receive $400/month.
• A senior in Kingston delaying to 70 could see $2,032/month with max contributions.

CPP Payment Date

• May 28, 2025: Payments arrive via direct deposit or cheque, supporting monthly budgeting.

Old Age Security (OAS) is a taxable monthly pension for Canadians aged 65 and older, providing income regardless of employment history.

With top-ups like the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for low-income seniors and the Allowance for spouses or widows aged 60–64, OAS is a cornerstone of retirement security in Ontario.

Eligibility for Ontario Residents

To qualify for OAS in May 2025, you must:

• Be 65 or older.
• Have lived in the country for at least 10 years after age 18 (20 years if living abroad).
• Meet income thresholds for GIS or Allowance programs.

Newcomers and Temporary Residents:

• Eligible with 10+ years of Canadian residency or through international social security agreements that count residency in other countries.
• Partial OAS is available for those with less than 40 years of residency (e.g., 10 years yields 10/40ths of the full pension).
• Temporary residents (e.g., sponsored family members) may qualify if they meet residency and tax-filing requirements.

Payment Amounts

Maximum monthly payments for May 2025 (adjusted quarterly for inflation, unchanged for April–June 2025):

• OAS: $727.67 (ages 65–74) or $800.44 (75+).
• GIS: $1,086.88 (single or partner without OAS) or $654.23 (partner with OAS/Allowance).
• Allowance: $1,381.90 (spouse with OAS/GIS) or $1,647.34 (widow).

Example Scenarios:

• A 70-year-old single senior in Windsor with low income could receive $1,814.55/month (OAS + GIS).
• A 75-year-old couple in Ottawa might get $1,908.90/month (two OAS + two GIS).
• A newcomer in Toronto with 20 years of residency could receive $363.84/month (half OAS).

Payment Date

• May 28, 2025: Payments align with CPP for streamlined budgeting.

The Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR), formerly the Climate Action Incentive Payment, was a tax-free quarterly payment that returned carbon tax proceeds to residents of provinces under the federal pollution pricing system, including Ontario.

The program ended on April 22, 2025, following the elimination of the consumer carbon tax on April 1, 2025.

However, late tax filers who missed the April deadline can still receive their final CCR payment in May 2025, typically 6–8 weeks after their 2024 tax return is processed.

Eligibility for Ontario Residents

To qualify for the CCR in May 2025, you must:

• Reside in Ontario (or another participating province: Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Saskatchewan) on December 31, 2024.
• Be at least 19 years old (or live with a spouse/partner or child).
• File your 2024 tax return, even if late.

Newcomers and Temporary Residents:

• Eligible if they were Canadian residents for tax purposes in Ontario in 2024.
• Temporary residents (e.g., international students, work permit holders) qualify after 18 months in the country with a valid permit and tax residency status.
• Must file a 2024 tax return to claim the payment.

CCR Payment Amounts

Final CCR amounts for Ontario residents (rural residents receive a 20% top-up):

• Individual: $151.
• Second adult or first child: $75.50.
• Additional child: $37.75.
• Rural top-up: +20% (e.g., $181.20 for an individual in rural Ontario).

Example Scenarios:

• A family of four in rural Muskoka could receive $362.40.
• A single late filer in Toronto might get $151.
• A newcomer couple in Hamilton could claim $226.50.

CCR Payment Date

• May 2025 (6–8 weeks after filing): Payments depend on when your 2024 tax return is processed.

To ensure you receive all eligible payments, follow these steps:

1. Update CRA Accounts:
   • Use CRA My Account to manage CCB, OTB, and CCR details.
   • Use My ServiceCan Account for CPP and OAS applications and updates.
2. Set Up Direct Deposit: Avoid delays by linking your bank account for faster payments.
3. Newcomers and Temporary Residents:
   • Register with the CRA using Form RC66 for CCB or provide residency proof for OTB and CCR.
   • Document Canadian work history for CPP and residency for OAS.
4. Use Online Tools:
   • CRA’s child and family benefits calculator for CCB, OTB, and CCR estimates.
   • Official Retirement Income Calculator for CPP and OAS projections.
5. Stay Informed: Monitor CRA and Service Canada websites for policy updates, as benefit amounts or eligibility may shift.

May 2025 is a golden opportunity for Ontario residents to tap into five transformative CRA benefit payments.

The OTB keeps homes affordable, the Child Benefit fuels family dreams, the Pension Plan and Old Age Security empower seniors, and the last Carbon Rebate offers a final boost for late filers.

Newcomers and temporary residents, from international students in Ottawa to temporary workers in Hamilton, can access these funds by meeting residency and tax-filing requirements.

Share this guide with your network to ensure every Ontarian claims their share of this financial lifeline.

Let’s make May 2025 a month of opportunity and growth!

Gagandeep Kaur Sekhon

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