Blog: Increased Income Eligibility Thresholds for Energy Assistance

REMINDER: Increased Income Eligibility Thresholds for energy assistance programs take effect March 1

If you did not qualify previously, you may be eligible now!

Starting March 1, 2024, new income eligibility thresholds for both Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) and Low-income Energy Assistance Program Emergency Financial Assistance (LEAP EFA), go into effect.

Income eligibility is determined by the number of people living in a home and the household’s combined income. This new income threshold caps income eligibility at $38,000 for one-person households and $71,000 for five-person households. This will allow many more families to access the programs.

OESP is part of Ontario’s energy affordability framework meant to reduce the cost of electricity for low-income households by applying a monthly credit directly on to electricity bills. For more information, please visit: https://ontarioelectricitysupport.ca/%20

LEAP EFA is the Ontario-wide program that assists people who are in arrears with electricity and natural gas utility companies. Of note is that grant amounts have also increased to $650 for electricity and natural gas and $780 for those heating with electricity. For more information, please visit: https://www.oeb.ca/consumer-information-and-protection/bill-assistance-programs/low-income-energy-assistance-program

Image courtesy of @Elena Photo via Canva.com