COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program Winds Down in Ontario
Over the past year, the Government of Ontario has provided $40 million towards the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB). This funding has helped provide residential, small business and registered charity customers some relief on their energy bills throughout the pandemic.
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has been responsible for distributing CEAP/CEAP-SB funds for utilities to provide customers who applied for the program. Milton Hydro was responsible to administer the CEAP/CEAP-SB programs and provide financial assistance to its customers in the Town of Milton. Between 2020 and 2021, Milton Hydro received about $100,000 from the OEB. This funding has helped support 370 customers in Milton, with 305 of those being residential and 65 commercial customers.
As Ontario continues to reopen, the Government will be concluding the temporary funding for CEAP/CEAP-SB. Milton Hydro has now distributed all its allocated CEAP/CEAP-SB funding to customers. At this time, no additional funding is anticipated from the OEB.
There are several other programs still available to help low-income energy consumers across the province. The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) offers ongoing support towards monthly electricity bills. The Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) provides emergency assistance with a single grant that can be applied to electricity or natural gas bills.
Here are some helpful resources regarding the conclusion of the CEAP/CEAP-SB and other energy support programs: