Frequently Asked Questions

The program is available to all lower-income customers who have accounts with electricity distributors or unit sub-meter providers. Customers must apply to the program.

The OESP provides a credit directly on the electricity bills of eligible customers. It is only available to an electricity account holder.

You may also contact 211 Ontario to find out more about other programs that you may qualify for.

The Ontario Native Welfare Administrators Association (ONWAA) is available to assist Indigenous households with their applications. Indigenous households can contact ONWAA at 1-844-885-3157 or email oesp@onwaa.ca to confirm their availability.

Indigenous applicants must meet the program eligibility criteria to qualify to receive an OESP credit on their electricity bills. Eligibility for applicants is based on household income and household size.

The OESP on-bill credit amount will depend on how many people live in the house and the combined household income after tax.

Effective March 1, 2024
OESP Monthly Credit Amounts by Household Income Level

For some customers, the need to use more power is unavoidable. If your home is electrically heated, or you rely on an approved medical device requiring a lot of electricity, OESP offers a higher level of assistance.

OESP Monthly Credit Amounts by Household Income Level – Energy Intensive

There are three at-home medical devices that will qualify an applicant for the higher level of assistance:

1. Mechanical Ventilator (invasive and non-invasive)
2. Oxygen Concentrator
3. Kidney Dialysis Machine

The household income amounts listed on the tables are after tax.

To find out what your after tax income is for the purposes of OESP eligibility, multiply your net income (line 236 on your Notice of Assessment) by 87.18%.

We encourage you to apply if your calculation of after tax income is close to the amounts shown below or if you are unsure of your after tax income.

• For a 1 person household, the household income is $38,000 or less.
• For a 2 person household, the household income is $54,000 or less.
• For a 3 - 4 person household, the household income is $65,000 or less.
• For a household of 5 or more people, the household income is $71,000 or less.

The Ministry of Finance will verify your income with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) using your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and the SINs of any other income tax filers in your household. The CRA verifies your income as declared on your tax return from last year or the year before. If you or other members of your household filed taxes only once in the last two years, income verification can still occur. This is true even if you and another household member filed in different tax years.

If you have not filed an income tax return recently, or if your situation has changed since you last filed, your income will need to be manually verified by a designated intake agency. To view a map of intake agencies, click on Google Maps.

To be counted in your household total, residents must reside in the home for 6 months or more per year.

The OESP is for your primary residence only, the one you live at for more than 6 months of the year.

Yes. Primary account holders under 18 years of age must apply for the OESP through a designated intake agency. Your income will need to be manually verified by an agent. To view a map of intake agencies, click on Google Maps.

The OEB will randomly audit program recipients to verify applicant information and the eligibility of households. If an error is found to have occurred, credits may simply be cancelled. If an audit and subsequent investigation points to fraudulent activity, credits could be cancelled and amounts could be clawed back.

Most eligible customers need to re-apply every 2 years or whenever their personal circumstances change. For example, eligible customers would need to re-apply if they move or experience a change in income level.

The extended program eligibility period of 5 years is applicable if any account holder listed on the bill is:

1. 65 and over. If there are multiple account holders on your electricity bill, an account holder 65 years or older needs to be entered as the OESP applicant in order to qualify for the extended 5 year eligibility period.
2. Receiving a CPP disability pension (see CPP definition of severe and prolonged disability at http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/disability/definition.shtml). Those on disability pensions still have to pass the program income criteria.

A paper version of the application can be downloaded from the OESP application website at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca or can be mailed to applicants by the OESP Contact Centre upon request.

Customers unable to apply online can contact an intake agency. Designated intake agencies can be searched on the OESP application website at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca.

Once you have submitted all required application information (including the OESP consent form), we will verify the household income and confirm eligibility with customers.

• Your electricity bill account number, service address, and account holder details.
• The birthdates and names of all residents in your home.
• Social Insurance Numbers or Temporary Tax Numbers for tax-filing household members.

If you do not have internet access, you can call the OESP Contact Centre at 1-855-831-8151 to receive this information.

Please call an intake agency to make an appointment to complete your OESP application. You need to bring all of the information specified in "What information do I need to apply?" and proof of your household income. Cheque stubs and letters from employers are examples of household income proof. Other types of proof may be applicable.

You may also contact the OESP Contact Centre at 1-855-831-8151, 211 Ontario or your local utility for more information.

Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
PO Box 1540 STN B
Ottawa, ON, K1P 0C7

Important: Please mail your OESP Consent form with your paper application. Make a note of the date you mailed your forms in case you need to track the status of your application later.

Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
PO Box 1540 STN B
Ottawa, ON, K1P 0C7

Important: Please mail your OESP Consent form with your paper application. Make a note of the date you mailed your forms in case you need to track the status of your application later.

For more information on LEAP, contact your local utility.

As a recipient of the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), you may be eligible to receive additional assistance in reducing your electricity costs through the Save on Energy’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP). EAP is an energy-efficiency program that provides energy-efficient upgrades for your home at no cost to you.

Upgrades available through EAP may include:

• LED lightbulbs
• Smart power bars
• Replacement of older, inefficient refrigerators, freezers and window air conditioners
• Comprehensive draft proofing and insulation for electrically heated homes.

To learn more about the EAP or to sign up, please visit SaveonEnergy.ca/EAP or call the Save on Energy contact centre at [1-855-591-0877].

To learn more about these programs and other money saving tips, visit save money & energy or call 1-888-774-3111.

In addition, the Ontario Energy Board wants consumers to know that the OESP application and approval process does not require a home visit. OEB staff do not conduct a home audit, check furnaces or install equipment for this or any other program.

Consumer Tips

• Protect your personal information, your utility bill is private. It contains personal information like your account number and energy usage. Ensure there is a valid reason for disclosing this information (e.g., determining your eligibility) before doing so.
• Remain vigilant and continue to use safe web browsing and email practices. Make sure you are accessing a safe and trusted source such as the utility’s website or call centre telephone number exactly as displayed on your bill.

Resources
Consumers concerned about any suspicious communications can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or call 1-888-495-8501.