Billing Problems, Complaints and Official Sources
Help paying hydro and gas bills in Canada: OESP, LEAP and provincial low-income programs
Low-income help with electricity and gas bills in Canada: Ontario's OESP credit and LEAP emergency grants, BC Hydro, Alberta and Québec options, and how to apply.
If you are struggling with energy bills in Canada, the help available depends on your province. In Ontario, the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) gives eligible low-income households an ongoing monthly credit on their electricity bill, and the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) offers one-time emergency grants toward electricity or natural gas arrears through local agencies, plus more flexible customer service rules. In other provinces, help comes mainly through utility crisis funds, payment arrangements and provincial social assistance. In every province the most important step is the same: contact the utility before you fall far behind and ask for a payment arrangement, then apply for any program you qualify for.
This guide belongs to our complaints and help hub.
Ontario: OESP
| Feature | How it works |
|---|---|
| What it is | A monthly credit applied directly to your electricity bill |
| Who qualifies | Households below an income threshold that depends on household size |
| Amount | Depends on household income and size; higher credits are available for homes heated with electricity, homes where someone relies on certain medical equipment that uses a lot of electricity, and for Indigenous applicants |
| How to apply | Online through the OESP website, or with help from a participating local agency |
| Renewal | Approval lasts for a set period, after which you re-apply; check the date on your approval letter |
The OESP is run under the Ontario Energy Board. Income thresholds and credit amounts are published on the OESP and OEB sites; check the current table rather than relying on older figures, because they have been raised in recent years.
OESP and the Ontario Electricity Rebate: they are separate. The OER (15.7% from 1 November 2026) applies automatically to all eligible accounts regardless of income; the OESP is income-tested and you must apply. Both can appear on the same bill. The OER calculator shows how the rebate is calculated.
Tenants who do not pay their electricity directly: if electricity is included in your rent, you cannot receive the OESP on a bill you do not get. If you are sub-metered, ask the sub-meter provider whether it applies the credit.
Ontario: LEAP
LEAP has two parts:
- Emergency financial assistance: a one-time grant toward electricity or natural gas arrears, delivered through local social service agencies working with your distributor or Enbridge Gas. Grants are capped per year; electrically heated homes can receive a higher amount. Apply through the agency your utility names.
- Customer service rules: for eligible low-income customers, Ontario utilities apply rules such as waiving security deposits, longer arrears payment arrangements and more notice before disconnection.
LEAP funding is limited and can run out during the year; apply early, especially before winter.
Other provinces
| Province | Where to start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | BC Hydro customer assistance: payment plans and the Customer Crisis Fund for eligible customers facing a temporary financial crisis | FortisBC also offers payment arrangements and assistance programs; ask its customer service |
| Alberta | Your retailer or distributor for a payment plan; Alberta Supports for emergency financial assistance | The UCA can help mediate payment arrangements with retailers |
| Québec | Hydro-Québec payment agreements, including arrangements adapted to low-income customers | The free Éconologis program offers home energy-efficiency help to eligible low-income households |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Hydro payment arrangements | Provincial Employment and Income Assistance can help in some cases |
| Atlantic provinces | Your utility's payment plans; provincial heating assistance programs, which typically open in the fall | Check the province's site for the current year's program dates |
Program names and amounts change. Use the utility's or the province's site to confirm what is open in 2026–2027.
How to ask for a payment arrangement
- Call before the due date. Have your account number and a realistic monthly amount in mind.
- Ask about a longer arrangement if you are low-income; Ontario LEAP rules allow longer terms for eligible customers.
- Ask whether an equal billing plan would help future winters (equal billing).
- Get the arrangement in writing: amount, dates, what happens if a payment is missed.
- Apply for OESP/LEAP or provincial help at the same time.
Reducing the bill itself
- Check that you are on the cheapest RPP plan for your pattern if you are in Ontario: TOU vs ULO vs tiered.
- If you have a retail contract you did not fully understand, review your cancellation rights.
- Look for free low-income energy-efficiency programs from your utility or province, which can include weather-stripping, efficient lighting or appliance replacement.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for a disconnection notice before calling.
- Paying a third party that promises to "get you government energy credits"; official programs are free to apply for.
- Missing the renewal date for OESP.
- Assuming you are ineligible without checking the current income table.
If a sudden jump triggered the problem, check why your hydro bill is suddenly high before assuming the usage is right.
FAQ
Do I need to be on social assistance to qualify for OESP?
No. Eligibility is based on household income and size; people with employment or pension income can qualify.
Can OESP and LEAP be combined?
Yes. OESP is an ongoing monthly credit; LEAP is a one-time emergency grant for arrears.
Is there federal help with energy bills?
There is no federal monthly bill credit. The federal consumer fuel charge was set to zero on 1 April 2025, which lowered gas and fuel costs in the provinces where it applied.
Can I get help with natural gas bills in Ontario?
LEAP emergency assistance covers natural gas arrears as well as electricity. Enbridge Gas can point you to the participating agency.
Sources
- Ontario Electricity Support Program — eligibility, credit amounts and application
- Ontario Energy Board — OESP, LEAP and low-income customer service rules
- BC Hydro — payment plans and Customer Crisis Fund
- Government of Alberta — Alberta Supports and emergency financial assistance
- Hydro-Québec — payment agreements
- Gouvernement du Québec — Éconologis, the provincial government's energy-efficiency program for low-income households
- Ontario e-Laws, O. Reg. 14/18 — OESP classes, including electric heating, electricity-intensive medical devices and Indigenous households
