The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) takes a monthly credit of $35 to $75 off the electricity bills of lower-income households. If you heat with electricity, use certain medical devices, or have an Indigenous person in your home, the credit is higher: $52 to $113 a month. Households with an after-tax income of up to $71,000 can qualify, depending on how many people live in the home.
The credit amounts below have been in effect since March 1, 2024, and are the ones the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) lists as of September 2026. You must apply. The credit is not automatic.
How much you can get
Your credit depends on two things: how many people live in your home, and your household’s combined after-tax income for the year.
Standard monthly credit
| Household after-tax income | 1 person | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,000 or less | $45 | $45 | $51 | $57 | $63 | $75 | $75 |
| $38,001 to $54,000 | – | $40 | $45 | $51 | $57 | $63 | $75 |
| $54,001 to $65,000 | – | – | $35 | $40 | $45 | $51 | $57 |
| $65,001 to $71,000 | – | – | – | – | $35 | $40 | $45 |
A dash means that household size does not qualify at that income. For example, a home with 4 people and an after-tax income of $65,000 gets $40 a month.
Higher monthly credit
You get the higher credit if someone in your home is Indigenous, if you heat your home with electricity, or if someone uses certain electricity-intensive medical devices at home.
| Household after-tax income | 1 person | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,000 or less | $68 | $68 | $75 | $83 | $90 | $113 | $113 |
| $38,001 to $54,000 | – | $60 | $68 | $75 | $83 | $90 | $113 |
| $54,001 to $65,000 | – | – | $52 | $60 | $68 | $75 | $83 |
| $65,001 to $71,000 | – | – | – | – | $52 | $60 | $68 |
Over a year, the credit ranges from $420 (at $35 a month) to $1,356 (at $113 a month).
Who qualifies
You may qualify if:
- you are the customer of an Ontario electricity utility, or you live in a condo or apartment with its own meter and get your electricity bill from a unit sub-meter provider
- your household’s size and combined after-tax income fall within the table above
People on Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program automatically qualify. They must contact their caseworker to apply.
When you get the higher credit
When you apply, you can declare that:
- you or a family member living with you is Indigenous
- electricity is the main way you heat your home
- someone in the home uses an electricity-intensive medical device, such as an at-home oxygen concentrator
How to apply
Step 1: Gather what you need
- your electricity bill
- the names and birthdates of everyone living in your home, as registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Social Insurance Numbers or temporary tax numbers for everyone 18 and older
Step 2: Choose how to apply
- Online. Apply at OESP.ca, the official application site the OEB links to. This is the fastest way. Then complete the electronic consent form, or print, sign and mail a paper consent form. The CRA needs your consent to check your income.
- By mail. Download the application and consent forms from OESP.ca, or call 1-855-831-8151 to have them mailed to you. Mail them to Ontario Electricity Support Program, PO Box 1540, Station B, Ottawa, ON K1P 0C7.
- Through an intake agency. A local agency can help you apply for free. Call ahead for an appointment. This is the route to take if you have not filed a recent tax return or your income has changed since you last filed. Bring proof of your household income as well as the items above.
The OEB’s OESP page links to the application and the list of intake agencies.
When it’s paid / how you get it
The OESP is not a cheque. It is a credit taken off your electricity bill every month.
- You will hear whether you qualify about 4 to 6 weeks after your completed application and signed consent forms are received.
- If you are approved, the credit shows up on your bill in about 6 to 8 weeks.
Renewal
You get the credit for 2 years, then you must reapply. If the account holder is 65 or older, or receives a CPP disability pension, the period is 5 years. You must also reapply if you move, even within the same building, or if your household changes. A renewal needs a full new application.
Behind on your bill? Emergency help through LEAP
If you are behind on your electricity or natural gas bill and could be disconnected, the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) may help. It uses the same income limits as the OESP.
- Up to $650 for your electricity bill, or up to $780 if your home is heated with electricity
- Up to $650 for your natural gas bill
- The grant cannot be more than you owe, and it is paid straight to your utility, not to you
- It is for emergencies only, usually once a year
To apply, contact an intake agency listed on the OEB’s LEAP page. You will likely need ID, your current bills, any disconnection notice, proof of rent or mortgage, proof of household income and a recent bank statement. While your application is reviewed, the agency asks your utility to pause disconnection and collection.
If you get the OESP or had LEAP help in the past two years, your electricity utility must also follow special rules for you, such as waiving security deposits and giving you longer to pay off arrears.
Things to watch for
- Forgetting the consent form. Your application cannot go ahead until the CRA consent is signed.
- Not declaring electric heat. If electricity is your main heat, say so. It raises your credit.
- Missing a renewal. Watch for your renewal date, and reapply after a move.
- Using before-tax income. The limits use after-tax household income.
- Scams. The OESP is free to apply for. Be wary of anyone who calls or knocks offering a bill credit for a fee. No government asks for a payment or gift cards to release a benefit. See the scams page.
Most Ontario households also get the Ontario Electricity Rebate automatically. Since November 1, 2025, it takes 23.5% off the subtotal of eligible bills. Use the benefits checkup to find other help, such as the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit.
Common questions
How much is the Ontario Electricity Support Program credit?
It is $35 to $75 a month on your bill, or $52 to $113 a month if you heat with electricity, use certain medical devices, or have an Indigenous household member.
What is the income limit for OESP in Ontario?
The top limit is $71,000 in after-tax household income, for homes with 5 or more people. Smaller households have lower limits. For example, a person living alone qualifies with $38,000 or less.
How do you apply for OESP?
Apply online at OESP.ca, by mail, or through a local intake agency. People on Ontario Works or ODSP contact their caseworker to apply.
How long does OESP last before renewal?
Two years, or five years if the account holder is 65 or older or gets a CPP disability pension.
Can OESP help if you are about to be disconnected?
The OESP gives ongoing monthly credits. For emergency help with arrears, apply for LEAP through an intake agency. It pays up to $650, or $780 for electrically heated homes, directly to your utility.
Do renters qualify for OESP?
Yes, if the electricity bill is in your name, either from your utility or from a unit sub-meter provider, and you meet the income limits.
