By Amulyaa Dwivedi, CELA Communications Intern
As the weather grows hotter and heat waves become more common, it is essential to have access to cool, indoor areas. Buying and keeping an air conditioner running can be beyond the budget of many low-income Ontarians.
Extreme heat is a growing threat. In urban areas, tenants are in particular danger in neighbourhoods where concrete and glass structures can trap heat and make already hot days even more dangerous. For people with chronic health conditions, mobility challenges, or limited financial resources, even short periods of high temperatures can lead to serious medical emergencies.
By applying to these programs and encouraging others to do the same, residents not only protect themselves and their loved ones, but also help send a clear message to governments: cooling is a critical need that must be addressed in long-term policy and infrastructure planning.
The Canadian Environmental Law Association continues to call for every municipality across the province to pass a maximum temperature by-law which would set a maximum indoor temperature of 26 degrees indoors in all rental units.
Programs Available Across Ontario
1) Energy Affordability Program
The Energy Affordability Program (EAP) , offered by the Independent Electrical System Operator, offers free cold climate air source heat pumps to some income-eligible households with electric heating.
The EAP is designed for income-eligible electricity customers to help reduce their energy costs and increase their home comfort by providing no-cost energy-efficient upgrades for their homes.
If you live in Ontario and are responsible for paying your electricity bill as a homeowner or as a renter, you may be eligible for the EAP. Residents of social housing also may be eligible. More information about eligibility can be found online here.
To apply, an individual can contact the IESO by phone at 1-844-770-3148 or submit an application form online.
For more information on the program, please consult the Energy Affordability Program webpage and Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps webpage.
2) Cooling Support for Recipients of Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Benefits
Recipients of Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program or Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities benefits may be eligible for financial assistance to purchase a cooling device, such as an air conditioner. Air conditioners are classified as a discretionary benefit. All applicants must provide a letter or a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner explaining why the device is necessary for their health and safety.
Eligible medical conditions include asthma, cancer, chronic heart or lung disease, neurological disorders, and certain mental health conditions; however, other health concerns may also be considered based on a healthcare provider’s assessment.
Households can usually receive up to $400 every four years, plus related expenses through the program. Applications can be submitted between June 1 and September 15 and the method of submission might change based on your geographic region. You can get help with your application from a caseworker, social worker or healthcare provider.
For more information on this program, please consult this poster created by CELA, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), and Health Providers Against Poverty.
Programs Available in Toronto
1) Air Conditioner Assistance Program for Seniors – Toronto Pilot Program
*The application window for this program is very short – between May 27 and June 6, 2025.
The City of Toronto is piloting a program to provide free portable air conditioners to some low-income seniors living in Toronto with health-related needs for air conditioning. To be eligible for this program, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as:
- Be 65 years of age or older as of December 31, 2025.
- Reside in a multi-unit residential building (three or more storeys) located in Toronto.
- Belong to a low-income household as determined by the Statistics Canada Low-Income Measurement
- Do not currently have access to an air conditioning unit or in-suite cooling.
- Have a self-identified medical need for air conditioning.
This program is not intended for recipients of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program.
Please consult this City of Toronto webpage for further details on the program requirements. The application for this program is completed online or by phone at 416-397-2220.
2) Hardship Fund in the City of Toronto
*Funding requests are accepted between June 1 to September 15.
Low-income Toronto residents who need financial help to purchase medical supplies or devices may qualify for assistance with health-related expenses through the Hardship Fund.
To qualify for an Air Conditioner through the Hardship Fund, a prescription from a physician or nurse practitioner with a diagnosis is required. The diagnosis must indicate that a cooling device is required to control the room temperature/humidity as part of a treatment plan, and failing to provide this care would result in a hospitalization or severe risk to life.
Some medical conditions requiring a cooling device include cancer, chronic heart or chronic lung conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart or neurological conditions, HIV, people on dialysis, people with chronic mental disorders on medication, or severe asthma.
The Hardship Fund does not cover the cost of a central air conditioner or ceiling fans.
One air conditioning unit or portable fan per family will be covered, up to a maximum amount, every 4 years including any associated expenses (i.e. installation charges, transportation and delivery fees and all applicable taxes). Funding requests are accepted from June 1 to September 15.
For more information, please consult this webpage or contact the Application and Support Centre at 416-338-8888.
Blog: Air Conditioning Support Programs Available This Summer
By Amulyaa Dwivedi, CELA Communications Intern
As the weather grows hotter and heat waves become more common, it is essential to have access to cool, indoor areas. Buying and keeping an air conditioner running can be beyond the budget of many low-income Ontarians.
Extreme heat is a growing threat. In urban areas, tenants are in particular danger in neighbourhoods where concrete and glass structures can trap heat and make already hot days even more dangerous. For people with chronic health conditions, mobility challenges, or limited financial resources, even short periods of high temperatures can lead to serious medical emergencies.
By applying to these programs and encouraging others to do the same, residents not only protect themselves and their loved ones, but also help send a clear message to governments: cooling is a critical need that must be addressed in long-term policy and infrastructure planning.
The Canadian Environmental Law Association continues to call for every municipality across the province to pass a maximum temperature by-law which would set a maximum indoor temperature of 26 degrees indoors in all rental units.
Programs Available Across Ontario
1) Energy Affordability Program
The Energy Affordability Program (EAP) , offered by the Independent Electrical System Operator, offers free cold climate air source heat pumps to some income-eligible households with electric heating.
The EAP is designed for income-eligible electricity customers to help reduce their energy costs and increase their home comfort by providing no-cost energy-efficient upgrades for their homes.
If you live in Ontario and are responsible for paying your electricity bill as a homeowner or as a renter, you may be eligible for the EAP. Residents of social housing also may be eligible. More information about eligibility can be found online here.
To apply, an individual can contact the IESO by phone at 1-844-770-3148 or submit an application form online.
For more information on the program, please consult the Energy Affordability Program webpage and Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps webpage.
2) Cooling Support for Recipients of Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Benefits
Recipients of Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program or Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities benefits may be eligible for financial assistance to purchase a cooling device, such as an air conditioner. Air conditioners are classified as a discretionary benefit. All applicants must provide a letter or a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner explaining why the device is necessary for their health and safety.
Eligible medical conditions include asthma, cancer, chronic heart or lung disease, neurological disorders, and certain mental health conditions; however, other health concerns may also be considered based on a healthcare provider’s assessment.
Households can usually receive up to $400 every four years, plus related expenses through the program. Applications can be submitted between June 1 and September 15 and the method of submission might change based on your geographic region. You can get help with your application from a caseworker, social worker or healthcare provider.
For more information on this program, please consult this poster created by CELA, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), and Health Providers Against Poverty.
Programs Available in Toronto
1) Air Conditioner Assistance Program for Seniors – Toronto Pilot Program
*The application window for this program is very short – between May 27 and June 6, 2025.
The City of Toronto is piloting a program to provide free portable air conditioners to some low-income seniors living in Toronto with health-related needs for air conditioning. To be eligible for this program, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as:
This program is not intended for recipients of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program.
Please consult this City of Toronto webpage for further details on the program requirements. The application for this program is completed online or by phone at 416-397-2220.
2) Hardship Fund in the City of Toronto
*Funding requests are accepted between June 1 to September 15.
Low-income Toronto residents who need financial help to purchase medical supplies or devices may qualify for assistance with health-related expenses through the Hardship Fund.
To qualify for an Air Conditioner through the Hardship Fund, a prescription from a physician or nurse practitioner with a diagnosis is required. The diagnosis must indicate that a cooling device is required to control the room temperature/humidity as part of a treatment plan, and failing to provide this care would result in a hospitalization or severe risk to life.
Some medical conditions requiring a cooling device include cancer, chronic heart or chronic lung conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart or neurological conditions, HIV, people on dialysis, people with chronic mental disorders on medication, or severe asthma.
The Hardship Fund does not cover the cost of a central air conditioner or ceiling fans.
One air conditioning unit or portable fan per family will be covered, up to a maximum amount, every 4 years including any associated expenses (i.e. installation charges, transportation and delivery fees and all applicable taxes). Funding requests are accepted from June 1 to September 15.
For more information, please consult this webpage or contact the Application and Support Centre at 416-338-8888.
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