The Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant (OSHPTG) gives seniors who own their home up to $500 a year to help with property tax. You claim it on your tax return, and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) pays it for Ontario in one payment, about 4 to 8 weeks after your notice of assessment.
How much you’ll get
For the 2026 grant, which you claimed on your 2025 tax return:
| Your situation | Full grant if income is up to | Grant is reduced by | No grant at income of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, separated, divorced or widowed | $35,000 (adjusted net income) | 3.33% of income over $35,000 | $50,000 or more |
| Married or common-law | $45,000 (adjusted family net income) | 3.33% of income over $45,000 | $60,000 or more |
The full grant is $500, or the property tax you paid for 2025 if that’s less. The $500 maximum has been the same since 2010. The grant is not taxable.
Example: a widow on a pension. Helen is 76, lives alone in the house she owns, and had an adjusted net income of $30,000. She paid $3,100 in property tax. She gets the full $500.
Example: a bit more income. If Helen’s income were $40,000, it would be $5,000 over the $35,000 threshold. 3.33% of $5,000 is $166.50, so her grant would be $500 − $166.50 = $333.50.
Example: a couple. Frank and Rosa have an adjusted family net income of $52,000. They’re $7,000 over the $45,000 threshold, which takes $233.10 off. Their grant is $266.90.
Who qualifies
For the 2026 grant, all of these had to be true:
- You were 64 or older on December 31, 2025.
- You lived in Ontario on December 31, 2025.
- You or your spouse owned and lived in your main home in Ontario on December 31, 2025. A life lease or a lease of 10 years or more that was paid in full also counts.
- You or someone on your behalf paid property tax on that home for 2025. Both municipal and school taxes count.
- Your income was under the limits above.
You must be an Ontario resident on December 31. Moving to Ontario in early January is too late for that year’s grant. You also can’t get it if you were in prison on December 31 and for the next 179 days.
If your spouse owns the home but lives in a nursing home while you stay in the house, you can still apply as long as you keep living there.
How to apply
- File your tax return for the previous year.
- Complete the OSHPTG section of Form ON-BEN (Application for the Ontario Trillium Benefit and the Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant). Tick box 61070 and enter the property tax you paid beside box 61120.
- Couples: only one spouse applies for both. If only one of you is 64 or older, that spouse applies. The same spouse must also claim the Ontario energy and property tax credit.
- Wait for your notice of assessment. The grant follows about 4 to 8 weeks later.
It’s paid by direct deposit if you get your tax refund that way. Otherwise, it comes by cheque.
Forgot to claim it? You can ask the CRA to change a past return, generally for up to 10 years back. Use My Account, or send Form T1-ADJ with a completed ON-BEN and your property tax receipts.
What changed in 2026
The grant itself hasn’t changed. It’s still up to $500, with the same income limits. The monthly Ontario Trillium Benefit, which you also apply for on Form ON-BEN, is a separate payment on the 10th of each month.
Payment late, missing or different?
The CRA says to wait 8 to 10 weeks after you receive your notice of assessment or reassessment. If the grant still hasn’t come:
- Check your notice of assessment and CRA My Account to confirm the grant was allowed.
- Call the CRA at 1-877-627-6645.
- For questions about the program’s rules, call Ontario at 1-866-ONT-TAXS (1-866-668-8297).
Common reasons for no payment or a smaller one: you didn’t tick box 61070, your income was over the limit, the property tax you entered was under $500, or your spouse already applied. If you owe money to the CRA or have family support arrears, the grant goes to that debt first.
The government never asks for fees, gift cards or passwords by text or email. Don’t click links in messages that say you’re owed a grant.
Other help you might be missing
- Ontario Trillium Benefit: monthly payments that include the Ontario energy and property tax credit, claimed on the same ON-BEN form.
- Ontario GAINS: a monthly top-up for low-income seniors who get OAS and GIS.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: extra monthly income on top of Old Age Security.
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: the renamed GST/HST credit, paid four times a year.
- CPP: check your pension dates and amounts.
Common questions
When is the Ontario senior homeowners’ grant paid?
About 4 to 8 weeks after your notice of assessment. There’s no fixed date.
How much is the Ontario seniors property tax grant?
Up to $500 a year, or your property tax if that’s less. It shrinks if your income is over $35,000 (single) or $45,000 (couple).
Do I need to apply every year?
Yes. You claim it each year on Form ON-BEN with your tax return.
Can I get it if I rent?
No. The grant is only for seniors who own their home. Renters may qualify for the Ontario energy and property tax credit instead.