United Way Simcoe Muskoka

Access centre to apply for LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) emergency financial assistance

• program runs year round
• grant is credited directly toward energy bill
• agency can arrange hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being assessed
• length of hold depends on utility company
• all decisions can be appealed.
• Assistance is available once per calendar year. You cannot receive more money than you owe on your bill. Therefore, you may not receive the full amount of the grant.
• Gas customers can receive up to $650 on past due balance
• Customers who heat with electricity can receive up to $780 on past due balance

Ontario Electricity Support Program

For those who meet certain criteria, the OESP will reduce the cost of your household electricity by applying a monthly credit directly to your bill. The credit amount will depend on how many people live in the home and the combined annual household after tax income. Visit website for more information.

• 18 years and older
• low-income customers of natural gas or electricity distributors (and unit sub-metering providers) experiencing difficulty paying current arrears
• decision will be based on several factors including long-term viability of the account
• Assistance is only available if you are behind on your bill - or in arrears - and may face having your service disconnected
  • Hydro One (customers throughout Ontario)
  • Alectra Utilities, formerly Powerstream (Customers from Barrie to North York only)
  • Alectra Utilities (Customers in Brampton and Caledon)
  • Epcor Natural Gas (Customers in parts of Bruce County, Elgin County, Middlesex County, Oxford County and Norfolk County)
  • Ottawa River Power, Renfrew Hydro, Hydro Ottawa (Customers in Ottawa, Renfrew and Pembroke)
    Click here for income eligibility criteria
    

    Note: The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), a new federal program that provides financial support to people with disabilities will begin in July 2025. The amount received from the CDB should not be included when manually calculating household income for the purpose of assessing eligibility for LEAP.

• Pre-screening by telephone before in-person interview
• documents required for interview include photo id for everyone in the home, current utility bill, proof of lease or mortgage, proof of household income for everyone over the age of 18 yrs and recent bank statement showing 30 days prior to application date

• photo id for everyone in the home
• current utility bill
• proof of lease or mortgage
• proof of household income for everyone over the age of 18 yrs
• recent bank statement showing 30 days prior to application date

• Income Support - Emergency Financial Assistance

• Brant County
• Ontario
• Simcoe County