ONTARIO ELECTRICITY SUPPORT PROGRAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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ABOUT THE ONTARIO ELECTRICITY SUPPORT PROGRAM (OESP) |
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What is the Ontario Electricity Support Program? | The OESP 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
When can I apply? |
You can apply any time. There is no application deadline, but the sooner you apply and are accepted into the OESP, the sooner you will begin to receive the on-bill credits. |
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When will I start seeing the on-bill credits? |
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. |
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How do I contact the OESP Contact Centre? |
If you have questions about the program, you can contact the OESP Contact Centre in the following ways:
The OESP Contact Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. |
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OESP AMOUNTS AND ELIGIBILITY |
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Who can apply? |
The program is available to all lower-income customers who have accounts with electricity distributors or unit sub-meter providers. Customers must apply to the program. |
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What if I don’t have an electricity account? |
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. |
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Is there a separate program for Indigenous communities? |
The Ontario Native Welfare Administrators Association (ONWAA) is available to assist Indigenous households with their applications. Indigenous households can contact ONWAA at 1-844-885-3157 or email oesp@onwaa.ca to confirm their availability. |
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Do all lower-income Indigenous customers qualify for the program? |
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. |
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How much will the monthly on-bill credit amount be? |
The OESP on-bill credit amount will depend on how many people live in the house and the combined household income after tax. Effective May 1, 2017 OESP Monthly Credit Amounts by Household Income Level
For some customers, the need to use more power is unavoidable. 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. OESP Monthly Credit Amounts by Household Income Level – Energy Intensive
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Which medical devices qualify for a higher level of assistance? |
There are three at-home medical devices that will qualify an applicant for the higher level of assistance:
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Are the household income amounts listed in the OESP Monthly Credit tables before or after tax income? | The household income amounts listed on the tables are after tax. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How do I know what my after tax income is? |
To find out what your after tax income is for the purposes of OESP eligibility, multiply your net income (line 236 on your Notice of Assessment) by 87.82%.
We encourage you to apply if your calculation of after tax income is close to the amounts shown below or if you are unsure of your after tax income. - For a 1 person household, the household income is $28,000 or less. - For a 2 person household, the household income is $39,000 or less. - For a 3 - 4 person household, the household income is $48,000 or less. - For a household of 5 or more people, the household income is $52,000 or less. |
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How is my income, and the income of my household members, verified? |
The Ministry of Finance will verify your income with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) using your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and the SINs of any other income tax filers in your household. The CRA verifies your income as declared on your tax return from last year or the year before. If you or other members of your household filed taxes only once in the last two years, income verification can still occur. This is true even if you and another household member filed in different tax years.
If you have not filed an income tax return recently, or if your situation has changed since you last filed, your income will need to be manually verified by a designated intake agency. To view a map of intake agencies, click here. |
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My kids go away to school/live with another parent part-time/my parents live with me but spend the winter away (snowbirds). Can I count them in my household size total? |
To be counted in your household total, residents must reside in the home for 6 months or more per year. |
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I have utility accounts for more than 1 household. May I apply to OESP for both? |
The OESP is for your primary residence only, the one you live at for more than 6 months of the year. |
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I am the primary utility account holder and under 18 years of age. Can I apply for the OESP? | Yes. Primary account holders under 18 years of age must apply for the OESP through a designated intake agency. Your income will need to be manually verified by an agent. To view a map of intake agencies, click here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Will the program be monitored to ensure only those who truly need it are receiving credits? |
The OEB will randomly audit program recipients to verify applicant information and the eligibility of households. If an error is found to have occurred, credits may simply be cancelled. If an audit and subsequent investigation points to fraudulent activity, credits could be cancelled and amounts could be clawed back. |
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How long is the OESP eligibility period? |
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.
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How do I qualify for the extended 5 year program eligibility period? |
The extended program eligibility period of 5 years is applicable if any account holder listed on the bill is: 2) Receiving a CPP disability pension (see CPP definition of severe and prolonged disability at http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/disability/definition.shtml). Those on disability pensions still have to pass the program income criteria. |
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APPLICATIONS |
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How do I apply? |
Customers can apply online at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca. You need to complete the online application. Then either complete the electronic consent form, or print and sign a paper consent form and mail it to the address provided on our website.
A paper version of the application can be downloaded from the OESP application website at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca or can be mailed to applicants by the OESP Contact Centre upon request.
Customers unable to apply online can contact an intake agency. Designated intake agencies can be searched on the OESP application website at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca.
Once you have submitted all required application information (including the OESP consent form), we will verify the household income and confirm eligibility with customers. |
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How security is the electronic signing process? |
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. |
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What information do I need to apply? |
You need: • Your electricity bill account number, service address, and account holder details. • The birthdates and names of all residents in your home. • Social Insurance Numbers or Temporary Tax Numbers for tax-filing household members. |
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What if I haven’t filed income tax? |
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. |
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Which agencies are involved and how do I reach out to them if I need their help? | We are working with many agencies across the province that are available to help customers complete and submit their application. Agencies can be searched on the OESP website at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca. We continually update the list as new intake agencies sign on. You may also contact the OESP Contact Centre at 1-855-831-8151 , 211 Ontario or your local utility for more information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How can I find an intake agency near me? |
We have also created a map of all intake agencies available to help customers complete and submit their OESP applications. You can use this map to search for an intake agency near you. To get to the map, click here.
You may also contact the OESP Contact Centre at 1-855-831-8151, 211 Ontario or your local utility for more information. |
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Is there a cost to get help to apply for OESP? | No, there are 173 intake agencies available to help you apply free of charge. You may also contact the OESP contact centre at 1-855-831-8151 for help on how to apply. If you have been asked to pay a fee to apply, please call the contact centre for guidance on how to get help free of charge. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Can my mailing address be located outside of Ontario? | Your mailing address must be located within the province of Ontario. If you have any questions about your mailing address, please call the OESP Contact Centre at 1-855-831-8151. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How long will it take to process my application? |
Customers who qualify can expect the credits to be applied to their bill 6 to 8 weeks later. This timeline is based on your timely completion of all the steps of the application process including mailing in your OESP Consent form to the OESP Contact Centre. |
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Where do I mail my OESP paper application form? |
Mail the completed Ontario Electricity Support Program Application Form to the address below: Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) PO Box 1540 STN B Ottawa, ON, K1P 0C7
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. |
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Where do I mail my paper OESP Consent Form? |
Mail the completed Ontario Electricity Support Program Consent Form to the address below: Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) PO Box 1540 STN B Ottawa, ON, K1P 0C7
Important: If you’re submitting a paper application, mail it together with the OESP Consent form. Make a note of the date you mailed your forms in case you need to track the status of your application later. |
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What if I move? |
Customers who move, or whose circumstances change, must re-apply. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I am already approved for OESP and received a notification from my utility to reapply. Why do I need to renew my OESP eligibility? |
Approval for OESP credits is generally for a period of 2 years. Since circumstances may change over the years, consumers are required to reapply every 2 years to make sure they are receiving the appropriate amount of OESP assistance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Do I have to wait until my eligibility period is over to reapply? |
No, you can reapply anytime. We recommend reapplying a month or two before the end of your eligibility period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Why do I have an OESP credit balance on my bill? |
Electricity use can vary depending on the season. If your monthly OESP credit is larger than your utility bill, the credit rolls over to offset electricity costs in future months, such as heating during winter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Can I get the rest of the OESP credit balance paid out? |
No, OESP credits have no cash value. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PROGRAM FUNDING |
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How is the OESP funded? | The OESP was previously funded by all ratepayers through a per kilowatt-hour charge on electricity bills. On March 2, 2017, the government of Ontario announced as part of the Fair Hydro Plan that OESP funding would be moving to the provincial tax base. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Why did the OESP credits increase? | On March 2, 2017, the government of Ontario announced Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan, which provides additional support for lower-income energy consumers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I’ll never use the program. Why am I paying for it? |
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. |
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OTHER ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS |
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Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) |
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.
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Are there other programs that can assist me with my electricity bill? |
Energy Affordability Program (EAP)
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Are there programs that can assist me with my Natural Gas bill? |
Home Winterproofing Program
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Can the OESP contact centre assist me with these programs? |
No, the OESP Contact Centre can only assist you with your OESP application. To take advantage of these programs, please use the contact information provided above. |
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Will these programs reach out to me directly? |
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.
Resources Consumers concerned about any suspicious communications can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or call 1-888-495-8501. |