Help With Electricity Bills

 Are you a low-income earner paying for their own electricity? Are you behind in payments to your electricity provider, or barely keeping up?  

You might be eligible for help paying your bill through our utilities support programs. 

LEAP is a grant is available to prevent disconnection because overdue payments have lead to your account being placed in COLLECTIONS or the electricity provider has sent a notice that you have a PENDING DISCONNECTION.  

OESP is an ongoing rebate to lower the cost of your monthly bill. 

Low-Income Energy Assistance Plan (LEAP)

Starting March 1st, 2023 the Low-Income Energy Assistance Plan (LEAP) grant is available for low income earning residential customers of Alectra Utilities who reside on the Hamilton Mountain.  

If you wish to apply for the LEAP grant at Neighbour to Neighbour, please review the following information: 

1. The household must be located on the Hamilton Mountain. If you live in the lower city, please contact the Housing Help Centre at 905 526 8100, or email them at fsp@housinghelpcentre.ca 
2. The account holder MUST submit an ARREARS NOTICE for the LEAP application to be processed. Any of the arrears notices will be accepted, as long as it is current. Notices include PAST DUE, LATE, FINAL, COLLECTIONS, and DISCONNECTION. An overdue balance IS NOT sufficient, there must also be a notice.
3. All persons living in the household MUST be included on the application and must provide identification.
4. All adults, 18 years and older must have their income verified. Income can be verified in one of the following ways:               
   • 2 months of pay stubs.
   • 2 months of bank records showing all deposits.
   • 2021 Income Tax Notice of Assessment (until 01 June 2023, after that date only 2022 tax assessments will be accepted.)
   • Monthly income statements from a pension such as Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support
   • Program (ODSP), private pension, Workplace Safety &Insurance Board (WSIB.)
   • Education grant, loan, or bursary statements. (Loans will be calculated as $0 because they must be repaid.)

You will be required to provide proof of primary residence using one of the following:     

• Mortgage
• Rental or lease agreement
• Proof of rent or mortgage payment
• Property tax statement

Please Note: 

• LEAP applicants are eligible to receive a maximum $500. 
• Households with a primary heating source powered by electricity are eligible to receive an addition $100. Households with heating supplemented by portable electric heaters does not qualify for the additional $100. 
• Households can apply multiple times and receive multiple grants. 
• All grants added together cannot exceed $500/$600 per year. 
• Every new application must have updated household income.
• Households that have utility bills with combined electricity and water usage, can only receive a grant for the electricity portion of the arrears. 
• If you are a Hydro ONE customer with arrears or a disconnection notice, please contact the United Way of Greater Muskoka at leap@uwsimcoemuskoka.ca or call 855 487 5327. 
• If you are an Enbridge Gas customer with arrears on your account or a disconnection notice, please contact the United Way of Greater Muskoka at leap@uwsimcoemuskoka.ca or call 855 487 5327. 
• If the arrears you owe are higher than the LEAP grant amount, or you have already exceeded the LEAP grant amount for the preceding 12 months, your household may be eligible for support from the Housing Stability Benefit program provided by either the City of Hamilton, or the Hamilton Housing Help Centre.  
• If you earn your income from Ontario Works (OW) please contact the City of Hamilton at 905.546.48 or hsb@hamilton.ca
  • https://www.hamilton.ca/people-programs/housing-shelter/supported-housing/housing-stability-rent-ready-benefits  
• If you earn you income from any other source, or you have no income at this time, please contact the Housing Help Centre at 905.526.8100 or fsp@housinghelpcentre.com
• • • https://www.housinghelpcentre.ca/HSB-low-income.html 

The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)

The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) monthly rebate is available for low-income earning residential electricity customers who reside on the Hamilton Mountain. For more information call 905 574 1334, extension 207. 

If you wish to apply for the OESP rebate at Neighbour to Neighbour, please review the following information: 

• The OESP provides a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and household size. 
• The credit is applied directly to your electricity bill. 
• You can apply at any time. 
• You can find additional information about this program and apply on your own here.
• If you apply for the OESP at Neighbour to Neighbour, income verification must be provided for all household members 18 years and older. Income can be verified in one of the following ways: 
• 2 months of pay stubs. 
• 2 months of bank records showing all deposits. 
• 2021 Income Tax Notice of Assessment (until 01 July 2023, after that date only 2022 tax assessments will be accepted). 
• Monthly income statements from a pension such as Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), private pension, Workplace Safety &Insurance Board (WSIB.) 
• Education grant, loan, or bursary statements. (Loans will be calculated as $0 because they must be repaid.) 
• You will be required to verify your electricity account by providing your most recent electricity bill.
  

  *Maximum after tax income	Rebate amount based on household size and household income
  	1 person	2 persons	3 persons	4 persons	5 persons	6 persons	7+ persons
  < $28,000	$45	$45	$51	$57	$63	$75	$75
  $28,000-$39000		$40	$45	$51	$57	$63	$75
  $39,001-$48,000			$35	$40	$45	$51	$57
  $48,001-$52,000					$35	$40	$45

   

  *Maximum after tax income	Rebate amount based on household size and household income (high intensity)
  	1 person	2 persons	3 persons	4 persons	5 persons	6 persons	7+ persons
  < $28,000	$68	$68	$75	$83	$90	$113	$113
  $28,000-$39000		$60	$68	$75	$83	$90	$113
  $39,001-$48,000			$52	$60	$68	$75	$83
  $48,001-$52,000					$52	$60	$68

“I received help with more than just money toward my bills. I had no idea that there was so much help available for people during tough times.”