Benefits are from the federally funded Department of Health and Human Services. Those time periods are:Your utility or unit sub-meter provider may also ask for a 10% down payment when you enter an arrears payment plan.If you default on your arrears payment agreement or regular bill payment more than twice, your utility or unit sub-meter provider can cancel it.If your power has been disconnected by your utility, you will not have to pay the reconnection fee.Rate-regulated natural gas utilities have to follow special rules when dealing with low-income customers; for example, waiving security deposits and allowing longer payment times under arrears payment plans. We offer programs to help lower-income customers with their electricity bills. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) qualifying households can apply for heating bill and energy crisis assistance. As part of this process, the agency will contact your electricity or natural gas provider and ask them to pause any further disconnection or collection activity on your account until a decision is made. We’re monitoring the system and holding your utility service provider to account. Lower-income Indigenous Ontarians also qualify for a higher level of assistance.We’ll let you know if you qualify for OESP about four to six weeks after your completed application and signed consent forms have been received. Does bill have to be listed in my name? Your utility will also be notified if your application is denied.You can take advantage of (or qualify for) these special rules if:You’ve received LEAP emergency financial assistance within the past two years, or If you qualify, you should let your local utility or unit sub-meter provider know that you want to take advantage of the special rules for low-income customers. You will receive OESP credits on your bill for 2 years before having to reapply.If you qualify for OESP, you may also be qualified There are special customer service rules for low-income customers. You can apply at any time during the year, but you can only receive benefits once each year and must reapply each fiscal year (July- June). If you received benefits between July 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020, you can reapply now for benefits that will be issued in July 2020. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program If you have a disability and need this application in large print or another format, please call our Helpline at 1-800-692-7462.
There are also special customer service rules available for low-income households. Learn about the rules that utilities and energy retailers must follow and how we enforce them.Understand how your bill works and how rates are set. Learn about the rules that utilities and energy retailers must follow and how we enforce them.Understand how your bill works and how rates are set. If you’re behind on your electricity or natural gas bill and face having your service disconnected, you may qualify for emergency financial help through the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). If you qualify, the credit will appear directly on your electricity bill in about 6 to 8 weeks after you have been approved. You can ask to have your security deposit waived by your electricity utility or unit sub-meter provider.If you previously paid a security deposit you can ask to have it back (as long as any outstanding arrears have been paid).When your security deposit is returned, it will either be:If the electricity utility made a mistake and overcharged you, they have to tell you. The amount of income it takes to qualify depends on two factors: 1. This chart shows if you are eligible. The Ontario Energy Board works to ensure a sustainable, reliable energy sector in Ontario.We’re protecting you. You will likely have to meet with a representative of the social agency for an interview. 42 U.S.C. Learn more and complete the application on the Ontario Electricity Support Program website.For example, a home with four people and an annual income of $37,000 will receive an on-bill credit of $51 each month. Your combined household income For example, a home with four people and an annual after-tax income of $37,000 would be eligible for a LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) grant.
We’ll let you know if you qualify for OESP about four to six weeks after your completed application and signed consent forms have been received. This chart shows if you are eligible.The assistance is only available if you are behind on your bill – Emergency financial assistance is for emergency situations only and is not meant to provide you with ongoing help to pay your bills.Electricity utilities and unit sub-meter providers have to follow special rules when dealing with low-income customers; for example, waiving security deposits and allowing longer payment times under arrears payment plans. You can ask to have your security deposit waived by your natural gas utility.If you previously paid a security deposit you can ask to have it back (as long as any outstanding arrears have been paid).When your security deposit is returned, it will either be:Eligible low-income customers that enter into an arrears payment agreement are allowed more time to pay outstanding balances to their natural gas utility.
Qualifying households may also receive emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance with the program.
You can only apply for emergency assistance once in a year from October 1 - September 30. One of them is the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP). Those time periods are:Your utility may also ask for a 10% down payment when you enter an arrears payment plan.If you default on your arrears payment agreement or regular bill payment more than twice, your utility can cancel it.If your natural gas has been disconnected by your utility, you will not have to pay the reconnection fee.If you believe that your utility or unit sub-meter provider has broken our customer service rules we want to hear from you.The Ontario Energy Board works to ensure a sustainable, reliable energy sector in Ontario.We’re protecting you. We’re monitoring the system and holding your utility service provider to account.