CRA Unveils 3 New Ontario Benefits for March 2025 – In March 2025, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is rolling out three important benefit payments to help people living in Ontario. These payments are meant to make life easier for families, seniors, and individuals who are struggling with the rising costs of things like food, rent, and heating. Whether you’re a parent taking care of young kids, an older person on a fixed income, or someone trying to pay bills, these benefits could give you some extra help. Here’s everything you need to know about each benefit, who can get them, and when the money will arrive.
Table of Contents
1. Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The first benefit is called the Canada Child Benefit, or CCB. This is a program that gives families money every month to help pay for things their kids need. If your children are under 18 years old, this benefit can help with costs like daycare, school supplies, or clothes. In Ontario, where raising kids can be very expensive, this money can really make a difference.
Also Read: Canada’s $5,000 Senior Grant: Who Qualifies & How to Claim Yours
What Is It?
The CCB is a payment you get every month, and you don’t have to pay taxes on it. It’s meant to help parents or guardians cover the costs of raising children.
Who Can Get It?
To get the Canada Child Benefit, you need to meet these rules:
- You must live in Canada. This includes Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or temporary residents who have been in Canada for at least 18 months with a valid permit.
- You need to be the main person taking care of a child who is under 18 years old. This usually means the child lives with you most of the time.
- You have to file your taxes every year so the CRA knows how much money your family makes.
How Much Money Can You Get?
The amount you get depends on how old your kids are and how much money your family makes:
- For each child under 6 years old, you can get up to $7,787 per year. That’s about $649 per month.
- For each child between 6 and 17 years old, you can get up to $6,570 per year. That’s about $547 per month.
The CRA looks at your income to decide how much you get. If you make a lot of money, you might get less or nothing at all.
When Will You Get the Money?
The payment for March 2025 will arrive on March 20, 2025.
Why It Helps
This benefit isn’t just about money—it helps parents worry less about bills so they can focus on their kids. For example, you might use the money to buy new shoes for your child, pay for a school trip, or sign them up for a sport like soccer or swimming.
2. Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)
The second benefit is called the Ontario Trillium Benefit, or OTB. This program combines three smaller benefits into one payment to help people pay for things like energy bills, property taxes, or sales taxes. It’s especially helpful for people in Ontario who don’t make a lot of money.
What Is It?
The OTB is a payment that helps low- and middle-income people in Ontario afford daily expenses. It includes:
- The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, which helps with heating or rent costs.
- The Northern Ontario Energy Credit, for people living in Northern Ontario where heating costs more.
- The Ontario Sales Tax Credit, which helps with the extra taxes you pay when you buy things.
Also Read: Canada DHHS Program 2024 – How to Apply Online? Check Payment Dates & Eligibility
Who Can Get It?
To qualify for the Ontario Trillium Benefit, you need to:
- Live in Ontario.
- Have an income that’s not too high. The CRA decides this based on your taxes.
- File your taxes every year, even if you don’t owe any money.
The exact rules for how much money you can make depend on your situation, like whether you rent or own a home. You can check the CRA website to see if you qualify.
How Much Money Can You Get?
The amount you get depends on your income, where you live, and whether you’re a renter or homeowner. Some people might get a few hundred dollars a year, while others might get more. The CRA will figure out your amount when you file your taxes.
When Will You Get the Money?
The payment for March 2025 will arrive on March 10, 2025.
Why It Helps
The OTB can help you pay for things like your electricity bill or rent, which makes life a little easier. It’s a small way to help people afford the basics without feeling so stressed about money.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS)
The third benefit is for older people in Ontario. The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) are two programs that give money to seniors every month to help them during retirement.
What Are They?
- CPP (Canada Pension Plan): This is money for people who worked in Canada and paid into the CPP during their working years.
- OAS (Old Age Security): This is money for seniors who have lived in Canada for a certain amount of time, even if they didn’t work or pay into CPP.
Both are monthly payments to help seniors pay their bills and live comfortably.
Who Can Get Them?
- For the CPP, you need to have worked in Canada and paid into the program while you were working. You also need to be at least 60 years old to start getting it, but most people start at 65.
- For the OAS, you need to be 65 or older and have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18. It doesn’t matter how much money you made or if you worked.
How Much Money Can You Get?
The amount you get depends on your situation:
- For CPP, it depends on how much you paid into the program while working and how many years you worked. Some people might get a few hundred dollars a month, while others get more.
- For OAS, the amount depends on how long you’ve lived in Canada. In 2025, the maximum monthly payment might be around $700, but it could be less if you haven’t lived in Canada for at least 40 years.
When Will You Get the Money?
The payment for March 2025 will arrive on March 27, 2025.
Why It Helps
These payments give seniors money to pay for things like groceries, medicine, or rent. It helps them enjoy their retirement without worrying too much about running out of money.
How to Get These Payments
To get these benefits, you can choose to have the money sent straight to your bank account (called direct deposit) or have a cheque mailed to you. Here’s what you need to do to make sure you get your payments on time:
- Update Your Information: Make sure the CRA has your correct address and bank details. You can do this online by signing into the CRA My Account website or by calling them.
- File Your Taxes: For the CCB and OTB, you need to file your taxes every year, even if you don’t owe anything. For CPP and OAS, you might need to apply separately if you haven’t already.
- Check Your Eligibility: If you’re not sure if you qualify, you can visit the CRA website or call their helpline to ask questions.
Also Read: Double CPP & OAS Payments in January 2025: Latest Updates Want to Know
Why These Payments Are Important
These benefits are a big help for people in Ontario because life is getting more expensive. Food, rent, and gas cost more than they used to, and these payments give people extra money to cover those costs. Here’s how they help:
- For families, the CCB makes it easier to afford things like diapers, school supplies, or after-school activities.
- For low-income people, the OTB helps with bills like heat or electricity so they don’t have to choose between paying rent and buying food.
- For seniors, the CPP and OAS mean they can pay their bills and still have a little money left to enjoy life, like going out for coffee or visiting family.
What to Do Next
If you think you might qualify for any of these benefits, here’s what you can do:
- Visit the CRA website (www.canada.ca) to learn more about each program.
- Use the CRA My Account online portal to check your eligibility or update your information.
- Call the CRA if you have questions—they have people who can help.
- Make sure you file your taxes on time, because many of these benefits depend on your tax information.
March 2025 is bringing some good news for people in Ontario. These three benefit payments from the CRA can help make life a bit easier, whether you’re raising kids, paying bills, or enjoying retirement. Take a few minutes to see if you qualify—you might be able to get some extra money to help with your expenses!
