Rebates and Programs
Ontario Low-Income Energy Assistance 2026: Full Guide
If your household income is stretched and energy bills are eating into it, Ontario has four stackable programs that can reduce your costs by hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year. Here is what each one offers, who qualifies, and how to apply without the runaround.
Key Takeaways
- OESP provides $35 to $75 in monthly credits on your electricity bill (up to about $900 per year).
- LEAP provides up to $650 in one-time emergency assistance for electricity bills ($780 for electrically heated homes) and up to $650 for natural gas bills.
- The Energy Affordability Program pays for free home retrofits: insulation, draft proofing, smart thermostats, ENERGY STAR appliance replacements, and more, at no cost to the homeowner.
- The Home Winterproofing Program (Enbridge Gas) provides free gas-side upgrades for income-qualified natural gas customers.
- All four programs stack. Qualifying for one does not disqualify you from the others.
- Eligibility thresholds were expanded by up to 35 percent in 2024, meaning more households qualify now than in prior years.
The Big Picture
Ontario runs four separate programs for income-eligible households, each with a different mandate:[6]
- OESP (Ontario Electricity Support Program): ongoing monthly credit on your electricity bill.
- LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program): one-time emergency grant when you are behind on a bill.
- EAP (Energy Affordability Program): fully funded home energy retrofit program, formerly called the Home Assistance Program, run through Save on Energy.
- Home Winterproofing Program: free natural gas energy efficiency upgrades, coordinated with EAP for Enbridge Gas customers.
These programs are administered by the Ontario Energy Board, Save on Energy, and Enbridge Gas respectively, with applications handled by each utility and partnered social service agencies. They are all free to apply and none of them affect your credit score or appear on your credit report.[1]
Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
OESP is the largest and longest-running of the four programs. It provides a monthly credit applied directly to your electricity bill, based on your household income and household size.[2]
How Much OESP Pays
| Situation | Monthly credit range | Annual value |
|---|---|---|
| Standard OESP | $35 to $75 | Up to about $900 |
| Electrically heated homes | Higher enhanced credit | Up to about $1,100 |
| Homes with medical devices requiring power | Higher enhanced credit | Up to about $1,100 |
| Indigenous household members | Higher enhanced credit | Up to about $1,100 |
The exact credit you receive depends on how many people live in your home and your combined after-tax household income. The OEB publishes the current eligibility table, and the online application tells you which tier you qualify for automatically.
OESP Eligibility
OESP uses after-tax household income. Larger households have higher income ceilings. As of March 1, 2024, the OEB expanded eligibility thresholds by up to 35 percent, so households that did not qualify before may qualify now.[2] If you applied prior to 2024 and were turned down, reapply.[1]
How to Apply for OESP
Apply online through the Ontario Energy Board at ontarioelectricitysupport.ca or call 1-855-831-8151. You will need your electricity account number and basic information about your household size and income. Approval typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, and once approved the credit appears on your next full billing cycle. OESP enrolment lasts two years, after which you reapply.
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
LEAP is emergency help for customers who are behind on their bills and facing disconnection. Unlike OESP, which is an ongoing monthly credit, LEAP is a one-time grant that pays a portion of your outstanding balance directly to your utility.[3]
How Much LEAP Pays
| Bill Type | Maximum assistance |
|---|---|
| Electricity (standard) | Up to $650 |
| Electricity (electrically heated homes) | Up to $780 |
| Natural gas | Up to $650 |
You can receive LEAP once per utility per 12-month period. If you have separate electricity and gas accounts and are behind on both, you may receive LEAP for each one.
LEAP Eligibility
You must meet three conditions: you are behind on your utility bill, you meet the income threshold for your household size, and you have made reasonable efforts to pay (for example, you have contacted your utility to set up a payment plan). LEAP is designed as a bridge, not as ongoing support, so applicants who need ongoing help are typically referred to OESP as well.
How to Apply for LEAP
LEAP applications go through social service agencies that partner with your utility, not directly through the utility or the OEB. The United Way runs a central intake line at 1-855-487-5327 that can refer you to the right partner agency, or you can contact your utility's customer service to ask for the local LEAP partner. The Hydro One financial assistance page and most municipal utility websites also list partner agencies by region.[7]
Energy Affordability Program (EAP)
EAP is the retrofit program. Instead of paying your bill, it reduces the bill directly by making your home more efficient. Save on Energy covers the full cost of the upgrades, so homeowners and renters pay nothing.[4]
What EAP Provides
A qualified energy advisor visits your home, performs a free needs assessment, and based on what they find you may receive:[4]
- Attic, wall, or basement insulation
- Air sealing and draft proofing
- Weatherstripping for doors and windows
- Smart or programmable thermostat installation
- ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator or freezer replacement
- LED lighting upgrades
- Low-flow water fixtures and hot water tank insulation
The exact package depends on your home's condition and your level of eligibility. Homes with electric heating typically get the most comprehensive packages because the efficiency upgrades have the highest payoff for the customer.
EAP Eligibility
Income-qualified residents of Ontario can apply. There is no requirement to own your home; renters are eligible with landlord permission for structural work. Customers who are already OESP enrolled are typically automatically pre-qualified for EAP.
How to Apply for EAP
Apply through saveonenergy.ca/en/For-Your-Home/Energy-Affordability-Program or call Save on Energy directly. If you already have OESP, mention it when applying; it speeds up the qualification.
Home Winterproofing Program (Enbridge Gas)
The Home Winterproofing Program is Enbridge's version of EAP for the natural gas side of the energy equation. It is coordinated with EAP so you do not have to apply twice for overlapping upgrades, and it is specifically designed to reduce natural gas usage for income-qualified households.[5]
What the Program Provides
Free upgrades aimed at reducing gas consumption, including:[5]
- Attic and basement insulation
- Draft-proofing and air sealing focused on heat loss
- Hot water tank wrap or replacement with ENERGY STAR model
- ENERGY STAR appliance replacements where eligible
- Energy-efficient thermostats
Who Qualifies
You must be an Enbridge Gas customer (both former EGD and Union zones are included) and meet the income-eligibility thresholds, which mirror EAP and OESP. Homeowners and renters both qualify, though renters need landlord consent for structural upgrades.
How to Apply
Apply through Enbridge Gas at enbridgegas.com (search Home Winterproofing Program) or call Enbridge customer service. The program coordinates with Save on Energy, so applying to one often triggers an offer from the other.
How the Four Programs Fit Together
These programs are not alternatives. They are designed to work as a package:
| Program | What it does | When it kicks in |
|---|---|---|
| OESP | Monthly electricity bill credit | Ongoing, as long as eligible |
| LEAP | Emergency one-time grant | When behind on a bill |
| EAP | Free electrical efficiency retrofits | One-time assessment and upgrades |
| Home Winterproofing | Free gas-side efficiency retrofits | One-time assessment and upgrades |
The most effective approach is to apply to all four. OESP puts money back on your electricity bill every month. LEAP is there if you hit an emergency. EAP and Home Winterproofing make your home cheaper to heat and power going forward, reducing the size of the bills you are paying in the first place. Together they can cut a low-income household's energy costs by hundreds of dollars a year on an ongoing basis, plus provide emergency backup.
Other Assistance Worth Knowing About
Utility Payment Plans
Before you need LEAP, your utility is typically willing to set up a payment arrangement if you are falling behind. This is free, does not affect your credit, and is required under Ontario regulations before a utility can disconnect service for non-payment. Call your utility as soon as you see a bill you cannot pay in full.
Equal Billing Plans
Most Ontario utilities offer equal billing or budget billing plans that average your annual energy costs across 12 monthly payments. This does not reduce your total cost, but it prevents the big winter heating or summer cooling bill spikes that often push households into arrears. Equal billing works especially well when paired with OESP.
Regional and Municipal Programs
Some Ontario municipalities and community agencies run additional energy assistance programs funded locally. The United Way at 1-855-487-5327 can refer you to region-specific resources. Community health centres and social service agencies often know about programs that do not show up on provincial websites.
Practical Recommendations
If You Are Struggling Right Now
Call your utility first to set up a payment plan and stop any disconnection process. Then call United Way at 1-855-487-5327 for a LEAP referral and apply to OESP online the same day. Do not wait for the bill situation to get worse. LEAP exists specifically for the situation you are in.
If You Are Managing But Feeling the Pinch
Apply to OESP first since the ongoing credit reduces your bills every month. Then apply to EAP and Home Winterproofing to get the upgrades that reduce your energy usage in the first place. The combination of lower rates (OESP) and lower consumption (EAP and Home Winterproofing) is the most durable fix.
If You Thought You Did Not Qualify Before
Reapply. The eligibility thresholds were expanded by up to 35 percent in March 2024, and many households that were just above the old cut-off now qualify. There is no penalty for applying and being turned down.
If You Are a Renter
You still qualify for all four programs. OESP applies to anyone who has an electricity account in their name. LEAP works the same way. EAP and Home Winterproofing require landlord consent for structural work, but landlords generally approve since the upgrades are free and improve the property.
Related Guides
Lowering energy bills long-term usually means a mix of rate-plan changes, efficiency upgrades, and picking the right heating system. These guides fill in the rest.
- Ontario Electricity Rates 2026 (picking the cheapest rate plan for your household)
- Enbridge Gas Rates Ontario 2026 (current gas rates and bill structure)
- Ontario Home Energy Rebates 2026 (broader rebate programs beyond the low-income stream)
- Attic Insulation Cost Ontario (one of the highest-return upgrades EAP provides free)
- Energy Audit Ontario (what the EAP energy advisor visit looks like)
- HVAC Rental Buyout Ontario (getting out from under expensive rental contracts)
Frequently Asked Questions
What low-income energy programs are available in Ontario right now?
Ontario has four main programs. The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) provides monthly credits of $35 to $75 on electricity bills. The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) offers up to $650 in one-time emergency assistance on electricity bills ($780 for electrically heated homes) and $650 for natural gas bills. The Energy Affordability Program (EAP, formerly the Home Assistance Program) provides free energy-efficiency upgrades. The Home Winterproofing Program, run through Enbridge, provides free insulation, draft-proofing, and ENERGY STAR appliances for income-qualified Enbridge Gas customers.
How much does OESP pay per month?
OESP provides monthly credits from $35 to $75 depending on household size and income, up to about $900 per year. Enhanced credits are available for households with electric heating, medical devices that use significant power, or Indigenous household members. The credit appears automatically on your electricity bill once your application is approved.
What are the income thresholds for OESP?
Eligibility is based on after-tax household income and the number of people living in your home. As of March 1, 2024, the OEB expanded eligibility by up to 35 percent, meaning more households now qualify than in prior years. A single-person household qualifies at a lower income ceiling than a four-person household. The Ontario Energy Board publishes the exact current thresholds, and the OESP online application checks your eligibility automatically.
What is the difference between OESP and LEAP?
OESP is ongoing monthly assistance: as long as you remain eligible, you get a credit on every bill. LEAP is emergency one-time assistance for customers who are behind on their bills and facing disconnection. You can receive LEAP once per utility per year. Many households that qualify for LEAP also qualify for OESP, and the programs can work together.
What does the Energy Affordability Program actually provide?
EAP is a fully funded home energy retrofit program for income-qualified Ontario residents. A qualified energy advisor visits your home for a free assessment, and based on what they find you may receive free draft-proofing, insulation, efficient lighting, a smart thermostat, ENERGY STAR refrigerator or freezer replacement, and similar upgrades. There is no cost to the homeowner. The level of support depends on your income and the existing condition of your home.
Can I stack these programs?
Yes. OESP, LEAP, EAP, and the Home Winterproofing Program are designed to work together. Monthly OESP credits do not disqualify you from LEAP emergency assistance or from getting free upgrades through EAP or Home Winterproofing. If you qualify for one, you likely qualify for others. Apply to all of them.
How do I apply?
OESP applications are done online through the Ontario Energy Board or by calling 1-855-831-8151. LEAP applications go through social service agencies partnered with your utility; United Way can refer you at 1-855-487-5327. The Energy Affordability Program and Home Winterproofing Program applications go through Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas respectively. All four programs are free to apply and do not affect your credit.
- Ontario Energy Board Bill Assistance Programs
- Ontario Energy Board Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
- Ontario Energy Board Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
- Save on Energy Energy Affordability Program
- Enbridge Gas Home Winterproofing Program
- Government of Ontario Manage Energy Costs for Your Home
- Hydro One Financial Assistance for Low-Income Customers