Key Takeaways
- The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides essential financial support to Ontario households through various benefits, including the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB), Canada Child Benefit (CCB), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Old Age Security (OAS).
- In December 2025, eligible households can receive a combined total of up to $2,600 in support.
- The OTB combines three major credits into a single monthly deposit, including the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and Northern Ontario Energy Credit.
- The CCB provides tax-free support to families with children under 18, with maximum annual amounts of $7,997 for children under 6 and $6,748 for children aged 6 to 17.
- CPP and OAS provide dependable monthly income for seniors, with maximum monthly CPP at age 65 in 2025 being $1,433 and OAS providing up to $734.95 per month for seniors aged 65-74 and up to $808.45 per month for seniors aged 75 and older.
Introduction to CRA Benefits
As December 2025 begins, households across Ontario are preparing for another round of essential financial support via the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) benefits. These monthly CRA benefits play a major role in helping families, seniors, and vulnerable groups stay financially stable during one of the most expensive months of the year. For many Ontario households, especially those with multiple children, the combined support arriving in December can easily surpass $2,600 in total relief. With holiday-season spending, winter energy bills, and rising food prices in full swing, these payments arrive at a crucial time.
Understanding the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)
The Ontario Trillium Benefit is a provincially funded program delivered through the CRA to simplify the payment process. The OTB combines three major credits into a single monthly deposit: Ontario Sales Tax Credit, Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and Northern Ontario Energy Credit. The OTB amounts for the 2025 benefit year are based on each household’s 2024 tax return, with maximum annual amounts of up to $371 per person for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, up to $1,283 for non-seniors and up to $1,461 for seniors for the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and up to $185 for individuals or up to $285 for families for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit.
Eligibility and Payment Dates for OTB
To be eligible for the OTB in 2025, households must have been an Ontario resident on December 31, 2024, filed their 2024 income tax return, pay rent, property tax, or energy costs, and meet income thresholds set by the province. The December installment of the OTB is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2025, with direct deposit recipients seeing the payment appear in their bank accounts and cheque recipients allowing for mailing time, especially during the holiday rush. The estimated OTB payment for families in December is between $150 and $175, with households in Northern Ontario who qualify for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit typically receiving slightly higher support.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The Canada Child Benefit remains one of the largest sources of monthly support for families raising children. This tax-free federal benefit helps cover childcare, clothing, transportation, food, and activity costs, all of which tend to rise sharply in December. In July 2025, CCB amounts were increased to reflect inflation across Canada, offering families several hundred dollars of additional annual support. The CCB amounts for 2025-2026 are up to $7,997 per year for children under 6 and up to $6,748 per year for children aged 6 to 17, with actual amounts varying based on adjusted family net income.
Eligibility and Payment Dates for CCB
To receive the December payment, households must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, be the primary caregiver for a child under 18, have filed the 2024 income tax return, and have children living with them for whom they are responsible day-to-day. The December CCB payment is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025, with direct deposit ensuring the payment arrives before the holiday period, giving families timely support during a high-spending month. A family with two children under 6 and two aged 6 to 17 could receive a maximum CCB of $2,457.48 for December 2025.
CPP and OAS Payments
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) offers a dependable monthly pension for retirees who contributed during their working years, with a maximum monthly CPP at age 65 in 2025 being $1,433. The Old Age Security (OAS) provides residency-based support for seniors aged 65 and older, with maximum monthly amounts of up to $734.95 for seniors aged 65-74 and up to $808.45 for seniors aged 75 and older. The December CPP and OAS payment is scheduled for Monday, December 22, 2025, ensuring seniors receive funds before the holiday closures, helping cover essential year-end expenses.
Importance of December Payments
The December payments are especially important for Ontario households due to the high winter living costs, including elevated rents, municipal taxes, and utility bills. The combined support from OTB, CCB, CPP, and OAS provides timely relief as financial pressures intensify. The staggered payments throughout December create a steady flow of support, easing pressure on household budgets ahead of year-end. By filing taxes on time, keeping CRA My Account details updated, and planning around these targeted payment dates, both families and seniors can build more predictable financial routines.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CRA benefits, including OTB, CCB, CPP, and OAS, provide essential financial support to Ontario households, especially during the expensive month of December. By understanding the eligibility criteria, payment dates, and amounts, households can better plan their finances and make the most of these benefits. With the combined support from these benefits, households can receive up to $2,600 in December 2025, helping them stay financially stable during one of the most expensive months of the year.
