Anúncios
The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) puts a monthly credit on the electricity bill of Ontario households that qualify, based on household income and size. The credit must be requested, it is not automatic. Below are the five steps, the requirements, the amounts set by the Ontario Energy Board and the timelines.
You will be redirected to another site
Anúncios
Independent information site, not affiliated with the OEB or the Government of Ontario. The OESP is administered by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), with oversight from the Ministry of Energy, and applies in Ontario only.
Step 1: Gather the documents
- The electricity bill, with the account number.
- The name and date of birth of everyone who lives in the home, exactly as registered with the CRA.
- The SIN (or temporary tax number) of each household member aged 18 or older.
Step 2: Choose one of the 3 ways to apply
- Online at OESP.ca: the OEB describes it as the fastest way.
- By mail: PO Box 1540, Station B, Ottawa, ON K1P 0C7.
- At a free intake agency: the OEB recommends calling ahead to book an appointment.
Step 3: Sign the consent form
The consent form can be signed electronically or on paper. Without it, the application does not move forward.
Step 4: Wait for the decision
According to the OEB, the decision takes about 4 to 6 weeks after a complete application. If the application is approved, the credit appears on the electricity bill in about 6 to 8 weeks.
Step 5: Renew before the credit ends
The OESP credit lasts 2 years. For applicants aged 65 or older, or who receive the CPP disability pension, it lasts 5 years. After that period, the household needs to renew to keep the credit on the bill.
Anúncios
Requirements
- Being a customer of an electricity distributor in Ontario, or of a Unit Sub-Meter Provider (condo or apartment with an individual meter).
- Annual household income after taxes and the number of people in the home within the program limits.
- Applying: the credit must be requested, it is not automatic.
- Recipients of Ontario Works or ODSP qualify automatically, but must apply through their caseworker.
- Households that have not filed taxes recently, or whose situation has changed, can apply through an intake agency, bringing proof of income.
Monthly amounts set by the OEB
| Situation | Monthly credit (Canadian dollars) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard credit | $35 to $75 a month, based on income and household size | OEB, oeb.ca/node/121 |
| Electric heating, certain medical devices that use a lot of electricity, or Indigenous customer (or living with an Indigenous family member) | $52 to $113 a month | OEB, oeb.ca/node/121 |
| Example published by the OEB: household of 4 with $65,000 income after taxes | $40 a month | OEB, oeb.ca/node/121 |
Consulted 10/2026. The income limits in effect are those of March 1, 2024. The exact amount for each household is determined when the application is assessed.
Where to apply and get help
📞
OESP contact card
Channels published by the Ontario Energy Board
1. Online: OESP.ca
2. Phone: 1-855-831-8151, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3. TTY: 1-800-855-1155
4. Email: [email protected]
5. Mail: PO Box 1540, Station B, Ottawa, ON K1P 0C7
6. OEB information: oeb.ca/billhelp
Source: Ontario Energy Board, oeb.ca/node/121, consulted 10/2026.
Timelines at a glance
| Stage | Timeline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Decision after a complete application | About 4 to 6 weeks | OEB, oeb.ca/node/121 |
| Credit on the bill, if approved | About 6 to 8 weeks | OEB, oeb.ca/node/121 |
| Validity of the credit | 2 years; 5 years for 65 or older or CPP disability | OEB, oeb.ca/node/121 |
During winter: the disconnection ban
According to the OEB, a residential customer cannot have the electricity disconnected for lack of payment from November 15, 2026 to April 30, 2027 (OEB newsroom, October 16, 2026). In its notice for the 2025 to 2026 season, the OEB explained that late payment charges keep applying during the ban and that it does not apply automatically in buildings served by a Unit Sub-Meter Provider (USMP), which have their own rules (OEB, oeb.ca/node/5400). It is worth confirming these points in the notice for the current season.
Overdue bill: LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance
The Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) offers Emergency Financial Assistance for overdue bills. It is a one time amount, requested through an intake agency and paid directly to the utility. The OEB says it is for emergencies only.
| LEAP item | Value |
|---|---|
| Electricity bill | Up to $650 ($780 if the home has electric heating) |
| Natural gas bill | Up to $650 |
| Limit | Never more than the amount owed |
| Income after taxes, 1 person | Below $38,000 |
| Income after taxes, 2 people | Up to $54,000 |
| Income after taxes, 3 to 4 people | Up to $65,000 |
| Income after taxes, 5 to 7 people | Up to $71,000 |
Source: OEB, Low-income Energy Assistance Program page, consulted 10/2026.
You will be redirected to another site
If the household does not fit the OESP
Households outside the OESP limits still have other measures described by the OEB: LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance for an overdue bill, the winter disconnection ban, and the Ontario Electricity Rebate, a discount that appears on the bill (15.7% from November 1, 2026, about $23 a month on a typical 700 kWh bill, according to the OEB newsroom of October 16, 2026). The OEB also lists customer service rules for lower income customers, such as a waiver of the security deposit and more time on payment plans for overdue amounts (oeb.ca/node/121).
Independent information site, not affiliated with the OEB or the Government of Ontario. Sources: Ontario Energy Board, Ontario Electricity Support Program, oeb.ca/node/121 (consulted 10/2026, income limits in effect since March 1, 2024); OEB, Low-income Energy Assistance Program (consulted 10/2026); OEB newsroom, changes to electricity prices (October 16, 2026); OEB, Winter Disconnection Ban, oeb.ca/node/5400 (2025 to 2026 season).