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, will provide ongoing assistance directly on the bills of eligible low-income electricity consumers.

Low-income households that apply and qualify will receive an OESP credit on electricity bills. The credit amount will be based on the number of people living in the home and their total household income.  For some consumers, the need to use more electricity is unavoidable. They may receive a higher level of assistance. These are people who rely on electric heat or medical devices as well as First Nation and Métis consumers.

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 [email protected]
If you have not completed your income tax, contact County of Bruce, Integrated Services at 1-800-265-3005; or email [email protected]

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 $500 per household, per calendar year, which is credited directly to their electricity bill. Eligibility includes a pre-tax income at or below Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut-off (LICO) plus 15%.

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: [email protected]

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