Other help with energy bills in Ontario

Besides the monthly OESP credit, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) describes other measures for households struggling with the electricity bill in Ontario. Each one has its own rules, and none of them replaces the others.

Independent information site, not affiliated with the OEB or the Government of Ontario. Rules can change, and each measure applies in Ontario only.

LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance for overdue bills

The Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) offers Emergency Financial Assistance to households with an overdue bill. It is a one time amount, requested through an intake agency, and the OEB says it is for emergencies only.

• Up to $650 on the electricity bill ($780 if the home has electric heating).
• Up to $650 on the natural gas bill.
• Never more than the amount owed, paid directly to the utility.
• Income limits after taxes: below $38,000 for 1 person, up to $54,000 for 2, up to $65,000 for 3 to 4, up to $71,000 for 5 to 7.

Source: OEB, Low-income Energy Assistance Program page, consulted 10/2026.

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The winter 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). The ban does not erase the debt. For the 2025 to 2026 season, the OEB explained that late payment charges keep applying during the ban and that buildings served by a Unit Sub-Meter Provider (USMP) have their own rules (OEB, oeb.ca/node/5400). Those rules have been the same in past seasons, but the OEB notice for the current season, or the sub-meter provider, confirms them.

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The Ontario Electricity Rebate

The Ontario Electricity Rebate is a discount that appears on the electricity bill. According to the OEB, it is 15.7% from November 1, 2026, about $23 a month on a typical bill of 700 kWh. Before that date it was 23.5%, about $36 a month (OEB newsroom, October 16, 2026). The amount on each bill depends on its own consumption.

Questions people often ask

Can a household use more than one of these measures? They are separate measures with their own rules. The OESP credit is ongoing, LEAP is a one time emergency amount, the ban only covers the winter months and the rebate is a line on the bill. Each one is checked on its own terms.

Does LEAP have to be repaid? According to the OEB, LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance is paid directly to the utility, toward the amount owed, and it is never more than that amount. It is requested through an intake agency, not online.

Does the winter ban mean the bill can wait until spring? No. The ban stops disconnections for unpaid bills during the season, but the balance remains. Talking to the utility about a payment plan, or to an intake agency about LEAP, keeps the debt from growing.

Who can help with the paperwork? The OEB lists designated intake agencies that help with LEAP and with the OESP application at no cost. Calling ahead to book an appointment is recommended.

Common mistakes and scam warnings

• Thinking the OESP credit starts on its own: it must be requested, and it has to be renewed when it ends.
• Sending an application without the signed consent form: without it, the request does not move forward.
• Waiting until the bill is very late to look for LEAP: the intake agencies need time to review each case.
• Trusting calls, texts or door to door visits that promise a set amount or ask for a fee to “unlock” a credit. The contact details to use are the ones the OEB publishes: 1-855-831-8151 and [email protected].

Customer service rules for lower income customers

The OEB also lists customer service rules for lower income electricity customers: a waiver of the security deposit and more time on payment plans for overdue amounts (oeb.ca/node/121, consulted 10/2026). These rules help when a bill has already fallen behind or when service is being opened.

The monthly OESP credit

The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), administered by the OEB, puts a monthly credit on the electricity bill of households that qualify, based on household income and size: $35 to $75 a month, or $52 to $113 with electric heating or certain medical devices (OEB, oeb.ca/node/121, consulted 10/2026). It must be requested, it is not automatic. Information from the OEB is also available at oeb.ca/billhelp and by phone at 1-855-831-8151.

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Independent information site, not affiliated with the OEB or the Government of Ontario. Sources: 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); Ontario Energy Board, Ontario Electricity Support Program, oeb.ca/node/121 (consulted 10/2026, income limits in effect since March 1, 2024).