This listing explains where to get help if you are behind on your gas or electricity bills, or need help lowering ongoing electricity costs.

Low‑income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

• provides one‑time emergency financial assistance to help low‑income households who are behind on their electricity or natural gas bills and may be at risk of service disconnection.
• Up to $650 for electricity bills
• Up to $780 if your home is heated electrically
• Up to $650 for natural gas bills
• Paid directly to the utility, not to the individual
• You must be in arrears (behind on your bill)
• Intended for emergency situations only
• Not meant to provide ongoing bill support
• You may receive less than the maximum amount if you owe less than the grant cap

Apply for Electricity (Hydro):

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

Apply for Natural Gas:

• call United Way Simcoe Muskoka – LEAP Program
• 1‑855‑487‑5327, Mon–Fri, 8:30 am–4 pm
• if Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre is already helping you with hydro, they can complete the gas LEAP intake at the same appointment, when applicable.

Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)

• provides an ongoing monthly credit, applied directly to an eligible household’s electricity bill.
• based on Household size and combined after‑tax household income
• the credit appears automatically on your electricity bill
• designed for long‑term affordability, not emergencies
• you must be the electricity account holder
• household income and size must meet eligibility thresholds
• available to customers of electricity utilities and unit sub‑meter providers
• applications are available online, including self assessment

If you need help applying, contact one of the following intake support agencies:

• Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre
  • 905‑257‑6029 ext. 105
  • community@opnc.ca 
• SafetyNet
  • 905‑845‑7233
  • oesp@safetynetservices.ca 

If you have not filed taxes, or if your current income is much lower than what your last tax return shows, you must apply through an intake agency. Staff can verify income using bank statements or tax documents and submit the application on your behalf.

Halton Region – Housing Stability Fund

• may provide one‑time assistance to help with utility arrears, including electricity and natural gas
• call 3‑1‑1 or 905‑825‑6000
• see the separate listing for full eligibility details

Oak Park

• Tue, Thu 11:30 am-2:30 pm

SafetyNet

• Mon-Sat 9:30 am-4 pm

Low income households only

See details for each program in Service Description