This listing describes where to get emergency help to pay a utility bill

Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP):

Customers who meet income eligibility can get up to $650 in emergency assistance for their electricity bills ($780 if their home is heated electrically) and $650 for natural gas bills

• assistance is only available if you are behind on your bill – or in arrears – and may face having your service disconnected
• for emergency situations only, not meant to provide ongoing help

For Hydro

• contact Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre, 905-257-6029 ext 105 or community@opnc.ca

For Gas:

• call Simcoe Muskoka United Way– LEAP Program, 1-855-487-5327, 8:30 am-4 pm, to compete your application
• If Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre is helping you with Hydro they can do your Gas intake form directly at the same time

Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP):

Provides an ongoing monthly credit directly on qualified consumers’ electricity bills

• if you’re the customer of an electricity utility and your household size and income meet certain levels, you may qualify for a reduction on your electricity bill (self assessment)
• discount applied directly to bill
• application available online
• for help with applying, contact an intake support agency:
  
  • Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre, 905-257-6029 ext 105 or community@opnc.ca
  • SafetyNet, oesp@safetynetservices.ca
• If individuals have not done their taxes, or if they now make less than what is on their taxes and that has put them below the poverty line, then they must visit an intake agency for staff to complete the application by looking at bank statements or tax returns to establish that they are living below poverty line and then staff will submit it on their behalf

Halton Region's Housing Stability Fund

One-time assistance for utility bills

• contact Halton Region at 3-1-1 or 905-825-6000
• see separate listing here

Oak Park

• Wed, Thu 11:30 am-2 pm

SafetyNet

• Mon-Sat 9:30 am-11 am

See details for each program in Service Description