The Northern Ontario Energy Credit helps low- to moderate-income individuals 18 years of age and older and families living in Northern Ontario. You can get up to $210 for the 2012-13 benefit year to help with your home energy costs, which are often higher in the north due to more severe winters. If you are single, you can get up to $137. These amounts will be adjusted for inflation each subsequent year.
What's new?
Starting July 2012, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit will be paid monthly as part of the Ontario Trillium Benefit instead of quarterly. You must be a resident of a district in Northern Ontario at the beginning of a month to receive that month's payment.
Benefit payments for the period starting July 2012 through June 2013 will be based on the information in your 2011 personal income tax return.
Eligible individuals and families will receive the last two quarterly 2011-12 benefit year payments based on their 2010 personal income tax returns in March and June 2012. Refer to the payment schedule.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit for the 2012-13 benefit year if you:
- were a resident in Northern Ontario on December 31, 2011
- are a resident of Northern Ontario at the beginning of the payment month
- had rent or property tax paid by or for you for your principal residence in one of the following districts in Northern Ontario – Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay or Timiskaming
- are 18 years of age or older, or have or previously had a spouse or common-law partner, or are a parent who lives or previously lived with your child
You may also qualify for the credit if you live in Northern Ontario:
- on a reserve and pay home energy costs, or
- in a public long-term care home and pay accommodation costs.
For more details on eligibility, read our Frequently Asked Questions or visit the Canada Revenue Agency website.
