The Ontario government provides eligible seniors (aged 64 and older) who live in the province with a grant to help offset the cost of property taxes payable on their principal residence. The maximum grant of $500 is paid to single, separated, divorced, or widowed individuals who have net income for the previous year of $35,000 or less. Individuals who are married or living common-law can receive the maximum $500 grant where their combined net income for the previous year was $45,000 or less. A reduced grant amount may be received where net income is over the prescribed thresholds.

The Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant is not paid automatically to eligible seniors. Rather, it is necessary to file a tax return for the year, and to apply for the grant by completing the ON-BEN 2025 form which is included in the general income tax package. That income tax package for 2025 will be available on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website around January 20.

Payment of the grant is made directly to eligible seniors, with payment usually issued four to eight weeks after the return for the year has been assessed by the CRA. Detailed information on the Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant program can be found on the Ontario government website at https://www.ontario.ca/page/senior-homeowners-property-tax-grant.