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Helping Keep You Housed

Programs to keep you housed:

Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)

The Ontario Electricity Support Program is an Ontario Energy Board (OEB) program that lowers electricity bills for lower-income households. The OESP provides a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and household size. The OESP credits are applied directly to eligible customers’ bills.

For some customers, the need to use more power is necessary. If your home is electrically heated or you rely on an approved medical device requiring a lot of electricity, OESP offers a higher level of assistance.

Eligibility and credit amount (estimate):
The OESP credit amount will depend on how many people live in the house and the combined household income after tax. The maximum income amount to qualify for the program is:

  • 1 person household with an income of $28,000 or less
  • 2 person household with an income range $28,001 – $39,000 or less
  • 3-4 person household with an income range $39,001 – $48,000 or less
  • 5-6 person household with an income range $48,001 – $52,000 or less

How to apply:
Customers can apply online www.ontarioelectricitysupport.ca. You need to complete the online application, print and sign the consent form, and mail it to the address provided on the OESP website, OR provide an e-signature.

A paper version of the application can be downloaded from the OESP application website at www.ontarioelectricitysupport.ca or can be mailed to applicants by the OESP Contact Centre upon request.

Customers unable to apply online or are experiencing a change in income from the previous year, which may affect eligibility criteria can contact our team. *Please contact us at 705-435-4900 ext. 212 to book an appointment in the South Simcoe area.

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps individuals or families who are struggling to pay their electricity bills throughout the year.

The program provides a one-time financial assistance grant of up to $500 per year, or $600, if electric heat is used. This grant is available to low-income or special circumstance residents who meet program criteria, whose utility accounts are in arrears and who are facing the threat of disconnection.

Eligibility:

  • Hydro One
  • Enbridge Gas 
  • Union Gas 
  • Veridian Connections 
  • Inn Power, formerly Innisfil Hydro (Simcoe County)
  • Alectra Utilities (formerly Powerstream) (Simcoe County, York Region and North York)

Funding may be available to low-income customers of natural gas or electricity distributors (and unit sub-metering providers) experiencing difficulty paying current arrears. A decision will be made by the OEB, based on several factors including the long-term viability of the account. A disconnection notice is not required to be eligible.

How to apply:
Call the United Way LEAP office at: 1-855-487-5327.

Eligible South Simcoe customers will then be directed to CONTACT for pre-screening by telephone to book a follow-up appointment.

Documents required for appointment include:

  • Photo ID for everyone in the home
  • Current utility bill
  • Copy of lease or mortgage
  • Proof of household income for everyone over the age of 18 years
  • A bank statement showing 30 days prior to the application date

Housing Retention Fund

The Housing Retention Fund is available to assist residents who are in arrears of rent or mortgage payments, utility arrears, require last month’s rent, or require assistance with moving expenses, or storage.

Eligibility:
Recipients of Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), Workplace Safety and Insurance Benefits (WSIB), Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), and working individuals.

Assistance is provided to anyone who is determined to be eligible once every 2 years (24 months) for a maximum of up to $1500 for singles and couples, $2000 for families.

Note: For utility arrears, you must have a disconnect notice, and for rental arrears, you must have notice of eviction (N4). For mortgage arrears, you must have a letter stating the bank will not defer payment.

Housing Retention, County of Simcoe facilitates and approves all applications.  Contact them directly at 705-722-3132 ext. 1833

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