Benefits and credits for individuals and families in Ontario

Many of the government programs that matter most to households are not applications at all. They are credits and benefits you receive when you file your income tax return, or programs you enrol in once. Because they are easy to miss, it is worth walking through what exists. Our database lists 48 open or ongoing programs for individuals and families across Ontario and the federal government. These are some of the most relevant, with current status and published amounts.

Ontario benefits and credits

Ontario delivers several payments through the tax system. Some are paid as monthly instalments, others as a credit on your return. Whether you qualify usually depends on your family net income, your age or your family circumstances, so read each program's official page for the current thresholds.

• Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)Ongoing, Up to $1K

  Published terms: Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit up to $1,307 (18-64) or $1,488 (65+); Northern Ontario Energy Credit up to $189 single / $290 family

  Ministry of Finance / Canada Revenue Agency

• Ontario Child Benefit (OCB)Ongoing, Up to $2K

  Published terms: Up to $1,760 per child per year

  Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services / Canada Revenue Agency

• Ontario Child Care Tax Credit (Ontario CARE Tax Credit)Ongoing, Limit $8K

  Published terms: Up to 75% of eligible child care expenses; up to $6,000 per child under seven, $3,750 per child aged seven to 16, $8,250 per child with a severe disability

  Ministry of Finance / Canada Revenue Agency

• Low-Income Workers Tax Credit (LIFT)Ongoing, Limit $875

  Published terms: Maximum credit of $875 or 5.05% of employment income, whichever is lower, reduced by 5% of income over $32,500 (individual) or $65,000 (family)

  Ministry of Finance / Canada Revenue Agency

• Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax CreditOngoing, Limit $2K

  Published terms: Up to 25% of claimable medical expenses up to $6,000, for a maximum credit of $1,500; reduced by 5% of family net income over $35,000

  Ministry of Finance / Canada Revenue Agency

• Ontario Seniors' Public Transit Tax CreditOngoing, Limit $450

  Published terms: Claim up to $3,000 in eligible public transit expenses and receive up to $450 each year

  Ministry of Finance / Canada Revenue Agency

• Assistive Devices Program (ADP)Ongoing

  Published terms: ADP pays 75% of the approved price (fixed price) or up to 75% of an approved maximum amount, or a grant toward the cost; 100% for people receiving Ontario Works, ODSP or ACSD in some cases

  Ministry of Health

Federal benefits and credits

Federal programs sit alongside the Ontario ones and can often be used together. These include benefits for working Canadians on lower incomes, disability-related credits and benefits, and a grant that tops up education savings for children:

• Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)Ongoing

  No amount is published on the official page.

  Canada Revenue Agency

• Disability Tax Credit (DTC)Ongoing

  No amount is published on the official page.

  Canada Revenue Agency

• Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)Ongoing

  No amount is published on the official page.

  Employment and Social Development Canada / Service Canada

• Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and Canada Learning Bond (CLB)Ongoing, Up to $7K

  Published terms: The CESG adds a maximum of $500 to an RESP each year, and up to another $100 for eligible families living with low or middle-income; up to $7,200 lifetime per child

  Employment and Social Development Canada

• Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)Ongoing, Limit $20K

  Published terms: Claim up to $20,000 per year in eligible expenses

  Canada Revenue Agency

The simple habits that unlock most of these

• File your tax return every year, even with little or no income. Many income-tested benefits are calculated from your return.
• Keep your marital status, address and children's details up to date with the Canada Revenue Agency.
• Check disability-related credits. Some disability-related benefits build on approval for the Disability Tax Credit, so check each program’s conditions.
• Look at what applies to older family members. Several Ontario credits are aimed at seniors, such as care at home or public transit costs.

Savings and education

If you have children, the education savings grant is worth understanding early because the amounts depend on contributions made over the years. See the listing above for the published rules and confirm the current details on the official page. For students and trades, see our programs for youth and students and the hiring and training guide for small businesses.

Housing and energy

Household costs for housing and energy are another area with live programs. First-time buyers have their own set, covered in our first-time home buyer guide. For energy, see clean energy programs for individuals, and for the full list use the individuals and families hub.

Before you rely on any figure

Benefit amounts and income thresholds change, often each July or each tax year. We show the amounts as published on the official pages when we last checked, and they are not a promise that you will qualify or receive that amount. This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. When in doubt, confirm with the Canada Revenue Agency, Service Ontario or the agency that runs the program.