The Government of Ontario announced on Friday, October 19, 2023, that it is raising the income eligibility thresholds that enable Ontarians to qualify for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) by up to 35 percent. OESP is part of Ontario’s energy affordability framework meant to reduce the cost of electricity for low-income households by applying a monthly credit directly on to electricity bills.. The higher income eligibility thresholds will begin on March 1, 2024.
The amount of OESP bill credit is determined by the number of people living in a home and the household’s combined income. The current income thresholds cap income eligibility at $28,000 for one-person households and $52,000 for five-person households.
The new income eligibility thresholds, which will be in effect beginning March 1, 2024, will allow many more families to access the program.
In addition, under the OEB’s winter disconnection ban electricity distributors cannot disconnect residential customers for non-payment from November 15, 2023, to April 30, 2024.