Media Release: Spread the word about the Ontario Electricity Support Program

Media Release

Toronto: CELA is very concerned that very few low income electricity customers are taking advantage of the new Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP).

“CELA has advocated for measures to alleviate energy poverty for low-income families in Ontario for ten years in our work with the Low-Income Energy Network,” stated Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director at the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA).

The OESP began accepting applications in January of this year but has had limited uptake among the roughly half million households that are eligible. “We strongly encourage the media and all in our CELA networks to help spread the word about this program,” McClenaghan added.

About the OESP

The OESP is an Ontario Energy Board (OEB) program that provides a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and household size. The OESP credits are applied directly to eligible customers’ bills. Customers can apply online at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca. There is an online application to be printed, signed, and mailed in. A paper version of the application can be downloaded 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 by region on the OESP application website at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca. Applications take about 6 to 8 weeks to process. Credits don’t take effect until all required information is submitted and applications are processed.

The program is available to all low-income customers who have accounts with electric utilities, unit sub-meter providers and retail energy companies. Customers must apply to the program.

Get more information by phone at the OESP Contact Centre: 1-855-831-8151.

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