Description

If you’re behind on your electricity or natural gas bill and face having your service disconnected, you may qualify for emergency financial help through the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).

Benefit Amount

Up to $1000 or ($1,200 for customers with electrically-heated homes).

Eligibility Criteria

In order to qualify, your household income has to fall below a certain limit. The amount of income it takes to qualify depends on two factors:

• How many people live in the house
• Your combined household income
  • For example, a home with four people and an annual after-tax income of $37,000 would be eligible for a LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) grant.

You can qualify for special rules if you are low-income like having your security deposit or reconnection fee waived.

Visit the benefit homepage to learn more about the LEAP EFA income eligibility criteria.

Application Process

• Step 1: Collecting your paperwork
  • (You will likely have to meet with a representative of the social agency for an interview. View the list of social service agencies.)
  • You will be asked to provide:
    • Identification
    • Current electricity and gas bills
    • A disconnection notice, if you have received one
    • A copy of a rental contract, lease or mortgage documents
    • Proof of household income – cheque stub, employment letter, income tax return for adult members of household
    • A copy of your most recent bank statement
• Step 2: Approving your status
  • The agency looking at your case will decide whether or not you qualify as low-income. As part of this process, the agency will contact your electricity or natural gas provider and ask them to pause any further disconnection or collection activity on your account until a decision is made. Your utility will also be notified if your application is denied.