ONTARIO ELECTRICITY SUPPORT PROGRAM

Applications take about 6 to 8 weeks to process. Credits don’t take effect until you submit all required information (including the signed consent form, if required) and your application is processed. The credit is applied to your utility bill as soon as possible after your application has been approved.

Eligible customers will receive on-bill credits for two years regardless of when a customer applies and their credits begin. See "How do I Apply?"

If you need assistance before the OESP credit is applied to your bill, please contact your electricity utility or visit the OEB website for more information about other low-income programs that may be available to you.

The OESP provides a credit directly on the electricity bills of eligible customers. It is only available to an electricity account holder.

You may also contact 211 Ontario to find out more about other programs that you may qualify for.

Indigenous applicants must meet the program eligibility criteria to qualify to receive an OESP credit on their electricity bills. Eligibility for applicants is based on household income and household size.

There are three at-home medical devices that will qualify an applicant for the higher level of assistance:

1. Kidney Dialysis Machine
2. Mechanical Ventilators (invasive and non-invasive)
3. Oxygen Concentrator

To be counted in your household total, residents must reside in the home for 6 months or more per year.

Most eligible customers need to re-apply every 2 years or whenever their personal circumstances change. For example, eligible customers would need to re-apply if they move or experience a change in income level.

Once a document is signed electronically, the signature is locked with a tamper-proof digital seal. Once locked, the signature cannot be copied or edited. Any attempt to alter the document’s contents will render it invalid. All data is stored in Canada on Secure servers.

If you have not filed an income tax return recently, or if your situation has changed since you last filed, you can apply for the OESP through a designated intake agency listed on our website at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca.

If you do not have internet access, you can call the OESP Contact Centre at 1-855-831-8151 to receive this information.

Please call an intake agency to make an appointment to complete your OESP application. You need to bring all of the information specified in "What information do I need to apply?" and proof of your household income. Cheque stubs and letters from employers are examples of household income proof. Other types of proof may be applicable.

You may also contact the OESP Contact Centre at 1-855-831-8151, 211 Ontario or your local utility for more information.

Important: Please mail your OESP Consent form with your paper application. Make a note of the date you mailed your forms in case you need to track the status of your application later.

Customers who move, or whose circumstances change, must re-apply.

No, you can reapply anytime. We recommend reapplying a month or two before the end of your eligibility period.

No, OESP credits have no cash value.

For many lower-income Ontarians, paying their electricity bill can be a challenge. Electricity represents a significantly greater share of their monthly expenses. For households with an annual income of $20,000 a typical electricity bill could be 10 per cent or more of their income.

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) offers one-time support for low-income customers who are in arrears and facing disconnection of their electricity or natural gas service.

For more information on LEAP, contact your local utility.

Home Winterproofing Program

If you are receiving OESP and are an Enbridge Gas customer, you could receive free energy efficient upgrades, which may include insulation, draft proofing and a smart thermostat. For more information visit Enbridge Gas’ Home Winterproofing Program.

To learn more about these programs and other money saving tips, visit save money & energy or call 1-888-774-3111.

Neither Save on Energy’s EAP nor Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program (HWP) will reach out to you directly unless you have contacted them first to apply. If you receive a call claiming to be from either of these programs and don’t remember reaching out to them, please contact the EAP or HWP using the contact information above.

In addition, the Ontario Energy Board wants consumers to know that the OESP application and approval process does not require a home visit. OEB staff do not conduct a home audit, check furnaces or install equipment for this or any other program.

Consumer Tips

• Protect your personal information, your utility bill is private. It contains personal information like your account number and energy usage. Ensure there is a valid reason for disclosing this information (e.g., determining your eligibility) before doing so.
• Remain vigilant and continue to use safe web browsing and email practices. Make sure you are accessing a safe and trusted source such as the utility’s website or call centre telephone number exactly as displayed on your bill.