Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)

Bill Relief for Qualified Households

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is helping make electricity more affordable for low-income households. The Ontario Electricity Support Program, or OESP, provides an ongoing monthly credit directly on the bills of eligible low-income electricity consumers.

Eligible customers receive monthly credits of $35 to $75. The credit amount is based on household income, the number of people living in the home and energy intensity.

Customers may receive higher monthly credits of between $52 to $113, based on unique eligibility that includes:
• Indigenous customers or customers living with Indigenous family members;
• Customers using electric heating; and
• Customers using certain electricity-intensive medical devices.

The program, designed and implemented by the OEB, came into effect on January 1, 2016. Consumers can apply online or with the assistance of local intake agency partners, including Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Emergency Financial Assistance intake agencies.

If you have completed your income tax in the past two years and you have the internet and a printer, you can apply from home. Go to www.ontarioelectricitysupport.ca to apply.
If you have completed your income tax, but do not have access to the internet or a printer, contact County of Bruce, Integrated Services at 1-800-265-3005 or email humanservicesintegratedservicesassistants@brucecounty.on.ca
If you have not completed your income tax, contact County of Bruce, Integrated Services at 1-800-265-3005; or email humanservicesintegratedservicesassistants@brucecounty.on.ca

LEAP : Emergency Financial Assistance

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is a year-round, province-wide emergency financial assistance developed by the Ontario Energy Board for low-income electricity customers who are experiencing difficulty paying their energy bills.

This program provides emergency relief in order to help customers manage their energy costs and avoid having their service disconnected. It is not intended to provide regular or ongoing bill payment assistance, but rather to ensure that in a crisis, low-income families stay warm and stay connected. Eligible consumers can receive a one-time payment of up to $650 per household, per calendar year, which is credited directly to their electricity bill.

Do you qualify?

Qualifying for a LEAP grant depends on two factors:

• How many people live in the home, and
• The combined annual household income.

For example, a home with four people and an annual after-tax income of $65,000 would be eligible for a LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) grant. This chart shows if you are eligible.

LEAP EFA income eligibility criteria

What help is available?

Emergency Financial Assistance

Customers who meet income eligibility can get up to $650 in emergency assistance for their electricity bills ($780 if their home is heated electrically).

Assistance is only available if you are behind on your bill – or in arrears – and may face having your service disconnected. You cannot receive more money than you owe on your bill. Therefore, you may not receive the full amount of the grant.

Emergency financial assistance is for emergency situations only and is not meant to provide you with ongoing help to pay your bills. For ongoing, monthly bill assistance, visit our Ontario Electricity Support Program page.

Apply Today

To apply for LEAP funding, please contact County of Bruce, Integrated Services at 1-800-265-3005; mail to P.O. Box 399 Walkerton, ON N0G 2V0 or email: humanservicesintegratedservicesassistants@brucecounty.on.ca

Learn More

To learn more about the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) you can also visit the Ontario Energy Board website