Let’s look at some support programs available to help you find a solution that fits your needs and gets you back on track.
![A man and woman reviewing financial statements with a look of stress and discomfort](https://grandbridgeenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Financial-Assistance-2-scaled-e1718203590393.jpg)
You're Not Alone. We're Here to Help.
If your payments are overdue, we can direct you to support programs and will work with you to make flexible payment arrangements.
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
LEAP is a grant program that helps eligible low-income customers with financial assistance of up to $650 per year or $780 per year for electrically heated homes or for customers using certain electricity-intensive medical devices.
Assistance is only available if you are behind on your bill – or in arrears – and may face having your service disconnected.
GrandBridge Energy partners with social service agencies who screen and assess applicants.
LEAP is not intended to assist with regular or ongoing bill payments.
Note: On March 1, 2024, the Ontario government increased LEAP income eligibility thresholds and maximum grant amounts. Customers who have applied for a LEAP grant between January 1 – February 29, 2024, are eligible to apply for and receive additional funding up to the new maximum.
To find out if you qualify, please contact our partner agencies listed below.
Partner Agencies
LEAP Assistance: Contact the United Way of Simcoe Muskoka – Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. by telephone: 1-855-487-5327
Additional Assistance: The Housing Resource Centre, operated by St. Leonard’s Community Services, offers additional funding for eligible low-income individuals and families who are struggling to pay their electrical and/or water and wastewater bills. You can reach St. Leonard’s by telephone from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday: 1-888-621-0034.
LEAP Assistance: Waterloo Region Social Services – Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. by telephone: 519-883-2100 and select option 1 to speak to an in-take caseworker.
Additional Assistance: The Waterloo Regional Energy Assistance Program (WREAP) helps eligible low-income households with additional financial support. If you’re applying for LEAP and have already received the maximum grant amount, discuss the possibility of WREAP with an in-take caseworker.
Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
Eligible Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) customers receive a monthly reduction to help manage the cost of their household electricity bill. The credit amount and duration of the ongoing credit depend on your income status and the number of people living in the home. This program is run by the Ontario Energy Board.
Note: OESP credits are not transferable, non-refundable and have no cash value.
Ontario Electricity Support Program FAQs
You can apply for this Ontario Energy Board program online or by contacting our Customer Service team to request a hard copy be mailed to you. If you have questions about the application, you can reach out for help by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-855-831-8151.
Before starting your application, be sure to have the following information available:
- Your electricity bill (the account number and utility name are required)
- The names and birthdates of everyone in your home (those who are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency)
- Social insurance numbers, individual tax numbers or temporary taxation numbers for anyone over 16 years of age.
There are some great FAQs available on the OESP website, including more information about income level thresholds.
If you live in the City of Cambridge or Township of North Dumfries:
- Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank: 519-622-6550
- Langs Farm Village Association: 519-653-1470
- Kinbridge Community Association: 519-624-3855
If you live in the City of Brantford or County of Brant:
- United Way of Simcoe Muskoka: 1-855-487-5327
- Housing Resource Centre (St. Leonard’s): 1-888-621-0034
If you are reaching the end of your eligibility period, you must renew or OESP application. There are three ways to renew:
- Visit www.ontarioelectricitysupport.ca and click on Renew Application
- Complete a paper application and consent form and mail it to: Ontario Electricity Support Program, PO Box 1540, STNB, Ottawa, K1P 0C7.
- Visit a community partner listed above for assistance.
Flexible Payment Arrangements
GrandBridge Energy is committed to supporting and helping our customers find solutions to pay down overdue balances. If you’ve received a reminder phone call or an overdue collection notice, contact our Customer Services Team at 1-877-871-2215 to discuss flexible payment arrangements and determine how to set up a payment plan that fits your budget.
To learn more about the Ontario Energy Board mandated collection process, and how that impacts your payment arrangements, please visit our Collections Timeline page.
Energy Affordability Program (EAP)
The Energy Affordability Program provides support to income-eligible residential customers by helping them lower their monthly electricity costs and increase their home comfort and efficiency. Eligible customers may receive energy-saving products, free home energy needs assessment, or free energy-saving kits customized to meet specific needs, including energy-saving LED lighting, timers, faucet aerators, etc.
The program now offers free cold climate air source heat pumps to income-eligible households with electric heating.
![Woman with glasses looking at energy efficient light bulb options at a store.](https://grandbridgeenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/change-light-bulbs-1.jpg)
Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER)
The provincial government introduced the new Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) on November 1, 2019. This province-wide credit replaced the 8% provincial rebate under the previous Fair Hydro Plan.
The OER reduces electricity costs by 19.3% on your monthly bill before HST. All residential and small commercial customers using <50kW are entitled to receive the OER automatically and it will appear on their bill. Other eligible customers must meet certain criteria and must submit a self-declaration form for review.
Who is eligible, aside from residential and small commercial?
- Low volume accounts (meaning the account has a demand for electricity of 50 kilowatts or less or uses no more than 250,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year); this includes most single-family homes and many small businesses
- Farms
- Long-term care homes
- Multi-unit complexes that are predominantly residential, such as condominium and apartment buildings
- Common elements in multi-unit complexes that are predominantly residential (as of July 1, 2022)
- Retirement residences (as of July 1, 2022)
- Mobile home parks (as of July 1, 2022).
Who is not eligible?
Certain large-volume multi-unit complexes will be ineligible for the new OER, including hospitals, universities, colleges, and any multi-unit complexes with fewer than 50% residential units (as provided for under regulation), such as a large commercial building.
Eligibility to receive the OER is defined under the Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers Act, 2016.
If you are accessing the form below, complete the fillable PDF form and email it to [email protected]