Keeping Energy Costs Down For Families
The provincial government is lowering electricity costs for tens of thousands of additional families with an additional investment of $50 million in the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP).
New income eligibility thresholds, which have increased by up to 35 per cent, took effect March 1st.
Households eligible for the OESP can receive credits of $35 to $75 through the program depending on household size.
Higher monthly credits of between $52 to $113 are available to Indigenous customers or customers living with Indigenous family members, customers using electric heating, and customers using certain electricity-intensive medical devices.
While previous governments implemented schemes that led to skyrocketing energy prices, this is just another example of how we’re using every tool in our toolbox to keep costs down for families.
How much will the monthly on-bill credit amount be?
The OESP on-bill credit amount will depend on how many people live in the house and the combined household income after tax.
Effective March 1, 2024
OESP Monthly Credit Amounts by Household Income Level
| Household Income (After Tax) | Household Size (Number of people living in household) |
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7+ |
| $38,000 or less | $45 | $45 | $51 | $57 | $63 | $75 | $75 |
| $38,001 – $54,000 | | $40 | $45 | $51 | $57 | $63 | $75 |
| $54,001 – $65,000 | | | $35 | $40 | $45 | $51 | $57 |
| $65,001 – $71,000 | | | | | $35 | $40 | $45 |
For some customers, the need to use more power is unavoidable. If your home is electrically heated, or you rely on an approved medical device requiring a lot of electricity, OESP offers a higher level of assistance.
OESP Monthly Credit Amounts by Household Income Level – Energy Intensive
| Household Income (After Tax) | Household Size (Number of people living in household) |
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7+ |
| $38,000 or less | $68 | $68 | $75 | $83 | $90 | $113 | $113 |
| $38,001-$54,000 | | $60 | $68 | $75 | $83 | $90 | $113 |
| $54,001-$65,000 | | | $52 | $60 | $68 | $75 | $83 |
| $65,001-$71,000 | | | | | $52 | $60 | $68 |
Which medical devices qualify for a higher level of assistance?
There are three at-home medical devices that will qualify an applicant for the higher level of assistance:
- Kidney Dialysis Machine
- Mechanical Ventilators (invasive and non-invasive)
- Oxygen Concentrator
Learn More: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004255/ontario-keeping-electricity-costs-down-for-families
Keeping Energy Costs Down Act
February 22, 2024
Since day one this provincial government has delivered policies to keep energy costs down including scrapping the cap-and-trade carbon tax, cutting the gas tax and introducing the Ontario Electricity Rebate.
While the previous Liberal government presided over skyrocketing electricity rates that chased 300,000 manufacturing jobs out of the province, we’ve lowered costs to build new homes and power our growing economy.
The Keeping Energy Costs Down Act will, if passed, reverse an Ontario Energy Board decision that would have increased the cost of new homes across the province by thousands of dollars.
The proposed legislation would also require the Ontario Energy Board to conduct more public engagements so future decisions reflect and support the priorities of the people of Ontario, including keeping energy prices down.
As energy demand continues to grow across Ontario this government will continue to work hard to ensure a reliable supply of energy continues to be available for all Ontarians – now and in the future.
Learn More: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004217/ontario-keeping-energy-and-housing-costs-down