Winter is when hydro bills climb, and for many households in Brantford that is when money is tightest. The Ontario Electricity Support Program can take some of the pressure off by lowering your electricity bill every month.
At Friendship House in Brantford, we meet neighbours every week who are choosing between heat, food and rent. This guide explains the program in plain language, using information from the program’s own website, so you can decide whether to apply.
Quick answer
What is the Ontario Electricity Support Program?
It is an Ontario program that applies a monthly credit directly to the electricity bill of lower-income households. The amount depends on how many people live in your home and your combined household income after tax. You can apply online, on paper or with help from a free intake agency. Credits usually last two years, then you reapply.
How the program works
According to the Ontario Electricity Support Program website (opens in a new tab), the program reduces the cost of your household electricity by applying a monthly credit to your bill.
The size of the credit depends on two things: how many people live in your home and your household’s combined annual income after tax. The site says the Ontario government changed the income amounts needed to qualify on March 1, 2024, so more households are now eligible.
Who can apply
You may qualify if you are the customer of an electricity utility in Ontario and your household size and income meet the program’s levels. The online application includes a short self-assessment, which is the quickest way to see whether your household is likely to qualify.
- Your mailing address must be in Ontario.
- Account holders under 18 must apply through an intake agency.
- Existing recipients may qualify for a higher credit and can reapply to get it.
If you received the credit before the income levels changed, the site suggests calling the contact centre to ask whether you now qualify for more.
How to apply
There are three ways to apply, and none of them costs money. Pick the one that fits your situation.
| Way to apply | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Most households | Complete the form, then sign the consent form online or print, sign and mail it |
| Paper form | No internet at home | Download it, or ask the contact centre to mail you one |
| Intake agency | No recent tax return, or a change in income | Free help; bring proof of income such as cheque stubs or a letter from your employer |
For online and paper applications, the Ministry of Finance checks your income with the Canada Revenue Agency using your Social Insurance Number and the numbers of other tax filers in your home. Every household member 18 and older signs the consent form.
What to have ready
- Your electricity bill account number, service address and the account holder’s details.
- The names and birthdates of everyone who lives in your home.
- Social Insurance Numbers or Temporary Tax Numbers for household members who file taxes.
- Proof of household income, if you are applying through an intake agency.
If you need a Social Insurance Number, our guide on how to apply for a social insurance number (opens in a new tab) explains the steps.
Why filing taxes matters
The program checks income with the CRA using tax returns from last year or the year before. If no one in your home has filed recently, the check cannot happen online, and you will need to go through an intake agency.
Filing a return every year, even with little or no income, keeps this and other benefits flowing. Our guide on how to file taxes for free (opens in a new tab) lists free clinics and simple software.
Getting free help from an intake agency
The site lists 173 intake agencies across Ontario that help people apply free of charge. Call one to book an appointment, and bring proof of your household income.
You can also call the contact centre, 211 Ontario or your local utility to find an agency near you. If anyone asks you to pay a fee to apply, the site says to call the contact centre for free help instead.
How long it takes and how long it lasts
Applications take about 6 to 8 weeks to process. Credits do not start until every required piece, including the signed consent form, has been received and the application is approved.
Approval is usually for 2 years, and then you reapply. Households where an account holder is 65 or older, or receives a CPP disability pension, can qualify for a 5 year eligibility period. The site suggests reapplying a month or two before your eligibility ends.
If you are behind on your bill
The Ontario Electricity Support Program lowers future bills, but it does not pay off money you already owe. For that, the Low-income Energy Assistance Program offers one-time support to low-income customers who are behind on payments and facing disconnection of electricity or natural gas.
Contact your local utility to ask about it. If paying for heat and hydro is part of a wider money squeeze, our guide on how to deal with financial stress (opens in a new tab) may help.
Free home energy upgrades
People who receive the credit may also qualify for free energy upgrades. The site lists two programs:
- Save on Energy’s Energy Affordability Program: upgrades such as LED light bulbs, smart power bars, replacement of older fridges, freezers and window air conditioners, and draft proofing and insulation for electrically heated homes. Call 1-844-770-3148.
- Enbridge Gas’s Home Winterproofing Program, for recipients who are Enbridge Gas customers: upgrades such as insulation, draft proofing and a smart thermostat.
Small changes add up too. Our tips on how to stay warm in winter on a budget (opens in a new tab) can help you use less energy at home.
Watch out for scams
The program does not require a home visit. The Ontario Energy Board says its staff do not do home audits, check furnaces or install equipment for this or any other program, and the upgrade programs will not call you unless you contacted them first.
Your bill holds private details such as your account number, so share it only when there is a real reason. Report suspicious calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, and see our guide on how to spot a scam (opens in a new tab).
Contacting the program
The OESP Contact Centre answers questions at 1-855-831-8151, toll free in Ontario, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also email help@ontarioelectricitysupport.ca, or use Bell Relay at 1-800-855-1155. Indigenous households can get help applying from the First Nation Energy Sustainability Association at 1-844-885-3157.
A warm meal on Grey Street
Friendship House at 452 Grey Street serves coffee, tea and a light breakfast from 8 a.m. and a hot meal Monday to Thursday, 10 to 11 a.m. Money saved on the hydro bill can go further when a meal is covered; see our free services (opens in a new tab).
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for the Ontario Electricity Support Program?
Apply online at the program’s website, on a paper form, or with free help from an intake agency. Online and paper applicants sign a consent form so the province can check income with the CRA.
How much is the credit?
It depends on how many people live in your home and your combined household income after tax. The credit is applied to your electricity bill each month.
How long does approval take?
About 6 to 8 weeks once every required piece, including the signed consent form, has been received.
Do I have to reapply?
Yes. Approval is usually for 2 years. Households with an account holder aged 65 or older, or receiving a CPP disability pension, can qualify for 5 years.
Does it help if I am behind on my bill?
The credit lowers future bills. For money you already owe, ask your utility about the Low-income Energy Assistance Program.
A lower hydro bill can make a real difference in a long winter. Apply soon, ask for free help if you need it, and visit us at Friendship House for a free meal in Brantford (opens in a new tab).
