Residential Consumer Programs
We understand that sometimes, it can be hard to make ends meet. If you are having difficulty paying your electric bill, we may have financial assistance programs that can help! Learn more about the financial assistance programs currently available below.
Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) provides a monthly, on-bill credit to low-income
consumers based on The credit amount is based on household income, the
number of people living in the home, and energy use intensity. The OESP
credits can range from $35 - $75 and are applied directly to eligible
customers’ bills.
Customers may receive higher monthly credits, between $52 to $113, if they are:
- Indigenous customers or customers living with Indigenous family members;
- Customers using electric heating; or
- Customers using electricity-intensive medical devices such as oxygen concentrators, mechanical ventilators or kidney dialysis machines.
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) administers the program while the Ministry of Energy provides financial and program oversight.
More program information can be found at: ontarioelectricitysupport.ca
How is the OESP changing?
Effective March 1, 2024, the Ontario Government broadened eligibility for the OESP program by increasing it's income eligibility thresholds.
The new income eligibility thresholds for OESP will reflect Canada’s 2020 Low-Income Measure (LIM) making thousands more households eligible for bill relief.
The updated program thresholds will allow a four-person household
with an after-tax income of $65,000 (increased from $48,000), or a
couple with an after-tax income of $54,000 (increased from $39,000), to
be eligible to receive the OESP on-bill credits.
Updated Income Eligibility Thresholds and Base OESP Credits
Amounts effective March 1, 2024:
| Level of household income ($) | Number of people living in home | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 38,000 or less | $45 | $45 | $51 | $57 | $63 | $75 | $75 |
| 38,001 - 54,000 | $40 | $45 | $51 | $57 | $63 | $75 | |
| 54,001 - 65,000 | $35 | $40 | $45 | $51 | $57 | ||
| 65,001 - 71,000 | $35 | $40 | $45 | ||||
If your home is electrically heated, or you rely on certain medical devices requiring a lot of power, the OESP offers a higher level of assistance. Lower-income Indigenous Ontarians also qualify for a higher level of assistance.
Updated Income Eligibility Thresholds for Indigenous, Electrically Heated and Energy Intensive Equipment OESP Credits
| Level of household income ($) | Number of people living in home | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 38,000 or less | $68 | $68 | $75 | $83 | $90 | $113 | $113 |
| 38,001 - 54,000 | $60 | $68 | $75 | $83 | $90 | $113 | |
| 54,001 - 65,000 | $52 | $60 | $68 | $75 | $83 | ||
| 65,001 - 71,000 | $52 | $60 | $68 | ||||
Are recipients still required to re-apply to the program under the new changes?
Recipients will still be required to re-apply for the program assistance every 2 years or when their circumstances change (e.g. moving or a change in income). Recipients over the age of 65 or receiving a disability benefit under the Canada Pension Plan will still be required to re-apply after 5 years.
Are there other programs available to support Ontario households who are struggling with their energy bills?
The government is continuing to provide immediate bill relief to electricity consumers in Ontario and ensuring support is available to individuals and families when they need it.
There are a number of programs in place to help low-income and income-eligible consumers with their energy costs.
The Ministry of Energy website (Manage energy costs for your home | ontario.ca) provides an overview of some of the electricity support programs for Ontarians as does the OEB at Bill assistance programs | Ontario Energy Board (oeb.ca).
I currently receive monthly OESP credits, but it looks like I can get a higher credit under the new program rules. How can I get that higher credit after March 1, 2024?
It is important to note that credit amounts have not changed but a customer’s household situation may have changed (i.e., the number of people living in the household or the amount of income).
Customers who have experienced a change in their household situation must re-apply for the program.
If a customer’s household situation has not changed, but they may be
eligible for a higher credit after March 1, 2024, they should contact
the OESP Call Center to get directions on next steps.
How to Apply for OESP
To find out if you qualify, to apply, or for more information, contact OESP.
Website: Ontario Electricity Support
Phone: 1(855) 831-8151
Email: help@OntarioElectricitySupport.ca
Low-Income Assistance Program (LEAP)
Effective February 27, 2023 – Through 2023, the OEB will provide ongoing flexibility in relation to eligibility criteria for the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). Specifically:
- To be eligible for LEAP, the applicant still needs to be in arrears but does not need to be in threat of disconnection or have been disconnected, and
- The limitation on receiving LEAP only once per year is waived, but the total amount received by a household may not exceed the maximum grant amount for the year.
If you’re behind on your electricity or natural gas bill and face having your service disconnected, you may qualify for emergency financial help through the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). The LEAP pays up to $500 of the amount owing on your bill (up to $600 if your home is electrically heated). This is a one-time emergency payment only.
The 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.
In order to qualify, your household income has to fall below a certain limit. The amount of income it takes to qualify depends on two factors:
- How many people live in the house
- Your combined household income
For example, a home with four people and an annual after-tax income of $37,000 would be eligible for a LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) grant. This chart shows if you are eligible.
LEAP EFA income eligibility criteria
| Household after tax income ($) | Number of people living in home | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| Less than 28,000 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 28,001 - 39,000 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 39,001 - 48,000 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| 48,001 - 52,000 | ✓ | ||||||
✓ = Eligible
Please note: Amounts shown are after tax. Income levels are set by the Ontario Energy Board, based on statistics from Statistics Canada.
How to Apply for LEAP
To apply for LEAP, you must contact your local social service agency. For InnPower's service territory, United Way Simcoe Muskoka (UWSM) is the local social service agency.
To find out if you qualify and to apply, contact UWSM by phone at 1(855) 487-5327.
For more information, you can contact UWSM.
Website: United Way Simcoe Muskoka
Phone: 1(855) 487-5327
Email: LEAP@UWSimcoeMuskoka.ca
Energy Affordability Program (EAP)
The Energy Affordability Program provides support to income-eligible electricity consumers by helping them to lower their monthly electricity costs and to increase their home comfort by offering energy-saving upgrades tailored to the specific needs of your home, all at no cost.
Depending on your situation, you may receive different energy-saving products and services. Some participants may qualify for a free home energy needs assessment conducted by a trained energy professional that will help identify energy-efficient upgrades available for their homes, such as replacement of inefficient appliances and professionally-installed insulation and draft-proofing. These upgrades may be installed during or after an in-home visit.
Other participants may qualify instead for free energy saving kits. These are customized to meet their energy needs and could include energy-saving LED lighting, timers, faucet aerators and/or a clothes drying line.
How to Apply for EAP
To find out if you qualify, to apply, or for more information, contact Save on Energy.
Website: Energy Affordability Program | Save on Energy
Phone: 1(855) 591-0877
Email: eap@saveonenergy.ca
Equal Payment Plan (EPP)
Your electricity bill doesn’t have to change with the seasons. Pay a set price all year long with an Equal Payment Plan!
Under this plan, your monthly bill payments are averaged out over 12 months, allowing customers to be billed an equal amount each month. EPP gives customers the ability to budget and avoid surprise bills due to seasonal ups and downs.
Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD)/Equal Payment Plan (EPP) Form
How do Equal Payment Plans work?
By signing up for an Equal Payment Plan, your estimated annual charges are split into equal monthly payments. Your monthly payment amount is calculated using your previous 12 months usage history. EPP amounts can be automatically withdrawn from your bank account on the bill due date or your choice of flex date (1st, 10th or 15th of the month).
InnPower conducts a semi-annual review and a yearly account reconciliation to make sure your monthly equal payment accurately reflects your actual usage/charges. If there is a significant difference, InnPower will notify customers if a change to their monthly payment amount is required.
Year End Reconciliation
Each September, we compare the amount you have been billed with your actual usage. The difference may result in a credit (if you used less electricity than you paid for) or a balance owing if you use more electricity than you paid for). Year end balances (both credits and outstanding charges) are automatically rolled into the next year and your monthly payment amount is adjusted accordingly.
Customers who have a credit on their account that is larger than their average monthly bill can choose to have their credit balance refunded by contacting our Customer Service team.
Final Bills
If you are a Pre-Authorized Debit customer we will withdraw the final bill amount owing from your bank account on the due date of the final bill. This includes customers who are on equal monthly payment plan.
Arrears Management Program (AMP)
As an electricity provider we must give customers the opportunity to go on a payment plan. This payment plan is known as an Arrears Payment Agreement (APA) or Arrears Management Program (AMP).
The arrangement is your total arrears divided over a # of months (based on rules below) plus your current bill, paid by the due date each month. To start the arrangement, the customer must provide a down payment (15% of your total owing, or 10% for eligible low-income customers) to show commitment to the plan. You may also have to pay any additional service charges (such as a reconnection charge) on top of that.
The payment arrangement will then begin on your next monthly bill. The full balance of the arrangement and current bills must be paid each month in full by the due date.
How much time you have to pay the arrears:
- at least 5 months if you owe an amount less than twice your average monthly bill
- at least 10 months if you owe more than twice your average monthly bill
Eligible low-income customers that enter into an arrears payment agreement are allowed more time to pay outstanding balances to their electricity utility or unit sub-meter provider. Those time periods are:
- at least 8 months if you owe an amount less than twice your average monthly bill
- at least 12 months if you owe more than twice your average monthly bill but less than five times your average monthly bill
- at least 16 months if you owe more than 5 times your average monthly bill
Cancellation of the Plan:
Once you begin making monthly payments, you must still pay your regular electricity bills. If you default on your arrears payment agreement or regular bill payment more than twice, the plan can be cancelled and regular collection activity will resume.
If you’ve already been on an arrears payment agreement for unpaid bills in the past 2 years, your electricity provider may refuse to allow another one. They may move to disconnect your service if you have unpaid bills. If an arrears payment agreement is cancelled early due to non-payment, the electricity provider may require that you wait 1 year before entering into another one.
Small business customers who are facing disconnection for non-payment must be offered an Arrears Payment Agreement. The terms and conditions of these arrangements are not set by the OEB, but they must be reasonable.