Searching for Utility Assistance Programs

Financial and employment assistance to individuals and families residing in the City of Brantford and in Brant County who are in need

Assistance includes income support for basic needs and shelter for eligible persons as well as access to benefits such as:

• drug coverage for most of the cost of prescription drugs for eligible family members
• special diet requirements due to a medical condition
• pregnancy nutritional/breastfeeding allowance for coverage of dietary needs during pregnancy and for 12 months after delivery if breastfeeding
• health-related Items such as diabetic supplies, surgical supplies and, dressings, approved medical transportation of $15 or more per month, and a guide dog benefit
• employment-related benefits when starting a new job or employment assistance activity

Ontario Works Employment supports help you become job-ready. Service Coordinators can help you access employment supports and provide more information

If you receive Ontario Works assistance and are actively involved in an employment assistance activity or have started a job, you may also be eligible to receive assistance with related expenses

Eligible low-income Brantford and Brant County residents, and residents receiving Social Assistance benefits, can get help with the cost of funerals, cremations, and burials. Eligibility is determined on the deceased person's income and assets, not the family member who is making the application

Helps prevent individuals and families in Brantford and Brant County from becoming homeless

The fund may be able to help with:

• utility arrears
• utility deposits
• housing-related arrears
• last month's rent

Resource centre focused on housing

Services include:

• diversion and prevention - stabilizes those at imminent risk of homelessness to maintain their housing or find alternative accommodation through access to case management and financial supports
  
• financial management services - acts as homelessness prevention for voluntary and mandatory clients needing support with their finances to maintain housing stability. The service ensures the payment of rent and utilities and access to case management supports
  
• ID clinic - provides financial supports to obtain a birth certificate, health card and other forms of ID. Staff will help complete the applications and may help with the cost of renewal or application fees
  
• rapid rehousing - Immediate access to short-term case management and financial support to avoid or exit emergency accommodations into permanent housing with necessary wrap around supports
  
• Housing Stability Fund - program can help obtain and maintain stable housing by providing utility arrears and deposits, housing related arrears or last month's rent
  
• outreach - community-based support
  
• access to emergency shelter

Helps low income families avoid consequences of not being able to pay utilities

The Rent Ready program provides financial support for utility and rent costs to people in Hamilton who have a low income or who receive support through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Rent Ready is NOT a mandatory benefit.

Due to COVID-19 the Hamilton Housing Help Centre is closed to walk-in visits. Services are available via phone and email.

Helps people with a low income maintain their housing. ODSP recipients can receive help with last month's rent, rent arrears and utility arrears. People with low income can receive help with utility & rent arrears.

The Rent Ready program provides financial support for utility and rent costs to people in Hamilton who have a low income or who receive support through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Rent Ready is NOT a mandatory benefit.

Emergency services to people in need

• food vouchers for local grocery store
  
• offer material and spiritual aid regardless of race, colour or creed
  
• offer eligible individuals and families help with rent and utilities in emergency situations

Helps households with low-incomes avoid the consequences of not being able to pay their utility bills, such as loss of heat or homelessness.

Helps households with low-incomes avoid the consequences of not being able to pay their hydro bills, such as loss of heat or homelessness.

Helps low income families avoid consequences of not being able to pay utilities

This listing describes where to get emergency help to pay a utility bill

LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LEAP)
Provides emergency relief with financial grants of up to $1000 per calendar year for eligible low-income customers

• amount is applied directly to the outstanding balance
  
• for natural gas bills contact United Way Simcoe Muskoka, 1-855-487-5327
  
• for electricity/hydro bills contact Salvation Army, Burlington Community and Family Services, 905-637-3893

ONTARIO ELECTRICITY SUPPORT PROGRAM (OESP)
Provides a monthly credit of $35-$113 to eligible customers based on household income and household size

• credits are applied directly to eligible customers' bills
  
• for assistance with applying call Salvation Army, Burlington Community and Family Services, 905-637-3893 or St. Christopher's Anglican Church, Open Doors Program, 905-634-1809

Housing Stability Fund
One-time assistance for utility bills

• contact Halton Region at 3-1-1 or 905-825-6000
  
• see separate listing here

Stepping Stone helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness step forward on a path toward securing permanent housing in Guelph-Wellington through housing focused programs and individualized support for adults ad families.Areas of focus and service include:

• preventative action to help those at risk of homelessness
• individualized plans for those struggling to attain a long-term residence

Prevention & Diversion:

• prevention assistance supports households in preserving their current housing situation
• diversion support assists adults and families in finding housing outside of shelter
• prevention and diversion services help stabilize current situations while assisting with a permanent housing solution

Housing Focused Outreach:Housing Focused Outreach worker visits locations known to have individuals who are precariously housed, at risk of homelessness, or experiencing homelessness. Services include:

• assess needs of individuals and families through a standardized assessment tool
• assist with aquiring suitable housing
• identify intervention recommendations
• supports their transition to a case manager

23 Gordon St. Overnight Emergency Shelter:

• previously known as the Warming Centre
• provides warm meal, shower, and overnight shelter
• accommodates up to 27 people ; one bed dedicated to the safe bed program, on a first-come, first-served basis
• supported by Diversion team, Housing Stability Outreach and Housing Focused Outreach

Grace Gardens Permanent Supportive Housing:

• individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, mental health issues and / or addiction
• Mon-Sun, 24/7 support services

Housing Focused 24/7 Supportive Shelter:

• supports approximately 40 people who are experiencing homelessness
• Stepping Stone works in collaboration with community organizations to deliver mental health, addiction, and medical support to individuals staying at the shelter
• focus is to provide access to food, showers, nursing, harm reduction, and court support
• individuals have their own rooms, common space, etc.
• support team (shelter support and housing stability staff), on site 24/7 to support residents and help them achieve their housing goals

Housing Stability Program:

• supports a caseload of individuals and families who have completed the common assessment tools
• a recovery-oriented approach to ending homelessness
• quick movement from homelessness into independent and permanent housing
• provide additional supports and services as needed

COVID-9 update: Office is closed to the public and is operating at a limited capacity. Please call or visit our website for further information.

Administers funds from the Emergency Energy Program (EEP) and Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP-E). Households must fall under established low-income thresholds and asset levels.

EEP: assistance with heat or hydro arrears and reconnection costs, or minimum fuel fill (oil or propane). Payments made directly to energy providers.

• Households may apply for emergency assistance from this fund once (subject to change).
• Assists applicants in completing the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) application.

LEAP-E: assistance with hydro arrears and reconnection costs for Guelph Hydro customers. Payments made directly to Guelph Hydro (now Alectra Utilities)

• Households may apply for emergency assistance from this fund once per year.

Visit COVID-19 Information and Updates for the latest on how to access programs and services during COVID-19.

Temporary income and employment assistance for low income individuals and families in immediate financial need. Requires a financial assessment to determine eligibility for services.

Employment Supports and Benefits

• caseworkers work closely with participants to develop individualized action plans that address unique needs
• participants guided through each stage and encouraged to stay on track
• employment benefits to assist clients in finding and starting a job

Additional employment supports include:

• basic educational upgrading
• English as a second language training
• job specific skills training
• job search assistance (resumé writing, interview preparation)
• access to volunteer and employment placements

Discretionary Benefits for recipients of Ontario Works assistance, or Ontario Disability Support Program assistance.

Other programs include:

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) - for young parents, ages 16-25 years
• Self-Employment - training and supports to operate a business; delivered in partnership with Business Centre Guelph-Wellington
• Life Skills Case Management - intensive support for those who are experiencing issues related to addictions or mental health
• services for empoyers

COVID-19 Update: Services continue to operate by appointment only. Please call 519-836-9824 or e-mail familyservices@guelphsa.ca.

Services include:

• bi-monthly food hampers ; bread, baked goods and produce
• clothing, personal care items ; small household items
• baby items
• utility support ; transportation
• prescriptions ; glasses
• emergency accommodations ; mattresses
• referrals
• Christmas Hampers
• backpacks/School Supplies ; summer camp

Programming includes:
* Food Bank, for details see separate listing here
* Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), for details see separate listing here
* personal development coaching
* back to school supplies, winter coats and Christmas assistance

Emergency services include:
* Lighthouse Emergency Shelter, for details see separate listing here

Emergency Food Bank
Emergency food assistance for persons in need * formula and diapers when available

Clothing Assistance
Supplies clothes change of season or for life altering events.

Thrift Store
Sale of used clothing, books and household items.

Low-income Electric Assistance Program (LEAP)
Access Centre to apply for LEAP - a one time hydro utility payment assistance program * grant is credited directly toward hydro portion of bill * program begins December 1st each year* available once only

Providing emergency food to individuals in need (not a food bank). May provide hydro and rent support in emergencies if funds are available. Winter clothing if available as well.

Through organized food drives we provide hampers for the annual Christmas relief program * through private financial donations assist individuals experiencing difficult times and others encountering unexpected expenses throughout the year, such as rent arrears, utility assistance, some medical / dental costs

This listing describes the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) credit, and where to get emergency help to pay a utility bill

ONTARIO ELECTRICITY SUPPORT PROGRAM (OESP)

• Applies $35-$113 credit directly on each monthly hydro bill for those below the Low Income Measure cutoff
• to apply call 1-855-831-8151 (Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm) or see website here
• if you need help applying call Salvation Army, Milton Community and Family Services, 905-875-1022

EMERGENCY HELP TO PAY UTILITY BILLS

Housing Stability Fund (one-time assistance for gas or hydro bills)

• contact Halton Region at 905-825-6000 or see separate listing here

Energy Assistance Program (one-time emergency help for Union Gas bills)

• provides a one-time grant (up to $1000) for those behind on payments and at risk for disconnection
• to apply contact United Way Simcoe Muskoka, 1-855-487-5327, Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm or see website here

LEAP Program (one-time emergency help for electricity/hydro bills)

• to apply contact Salvation Army, Milton Community and Family Services, 905-875-1022

A Christian organization which provides community programming and Christian teaching for both children and adults

Community and Family Services include:

• food bank
• spiritual needs
• subsidized Summer Day Camp
• youth programs
• Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), providing one time help with those struggling to pay their hydro arrears
• Christmas assistance
• volunteers always welcome, contact office for more information

Explains different housing types and how to apply, and directs to other housing-related listings in this directory
* for emergency shelters see separate listing here


NONPROFIT HOUSING
Housing operated to fill a social need, not as a business
* may be owned by government, nonprofits or charities, co-operatives, etc.
* some is subsidized (reserved for people with low income), some is 'market rent' (open to people of any income)
* some is reserved for seniors or people with disabilities (may have supportive services, like meals, personal support, etc.)

How to find and apply to nonprofit housing:
For complete list see Halton Region website here
Details for each listing show how to apply, but in general:
* for most market-rent units, apply directly to individual housing provider
* for most (but not all) subsidized units, apply through HATCH (at Halton Region 905-825-6000, or see separate HATCH listing here)

Halton Housing Help
Contact at Halton Region 905-825-6000 or see separate listing here
* can help explain the housing system, how to search and apply


PRIVATE RENTAL MARKET
Housing that is privately owned, rented as a for-profit business

How to find private rental market housing:
Halton Housing Help
Contact at Halton Region 905-825-6000 or see separate listing here
* provides free help and support to tenants to find and keep rental housing
* posts listings of available housing (see here)

Rental listings can also be found in local newspapers, and on websites such as gottarent, viewit, Kijiji, etc.


YOUTH HOUSING
Bridging the Gap
For youth, ages 16 to 24, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
* call 905-635-0663 or see full listing here

Community Youth Programs
Offers residential placement for youth, ages 15 to 18, not able to live with family but not ready for independent living
* call 905-845-9718 or see full listing here

Support House
Offers a full range of supportive housing options for youth ages 16 and up with mental health and/or substance use issues
* call toll free 1-833-845-9355 or see full listing here


HELP TO PAY DEPOSITS OR RENT
Halton Region Housing Stability Fund
One-time assistance with basic housing expenses to help people maintain their housing
* call Halton Region 905-825-6000 or see separate listing here

VETS Canada
For Canadian veterans who are in crisis, at risk of becoming homeless, or are homeless
* call toll free 1-888-228-3871 ext 121 or see separate listing here


HELP TO PAY UTILITIES
See separate listings for Gas & Hydro Bill Assistance here


PROPERTY TAX REBATES AND DEFERRALS
Property Tax Rebate (for lower-income seniors or people with disabilities)
See separate listings for Burlington * Oakville * Milton * Halton Hills or contact your local municipal government

Older Adults Property Tax Deferral Program (for lower-income seniors)
* call Halton Region at 905-825-6000 or see full listing here


LEGAL HELP FOR HOUSING
Halton Community Legal Services
Provides free legal assistance to those with low income, for housing and landlord/tenant issues
* call 905-875-2069 or see full listing here

The fund's purpose is to help residents of Halton maintain their housing

• offers individuals and families one time assistance with basic housing expenses including last month's rent, rent and utility arrears, storage or moving costs and furniture
• call 311 or send an email and your information will be taken by a Customer Service Representative and a Integrated Housing Worker will contact you within 2-4 business days to further discuss your request

See Gas & Hydro Bill Assistance for further assistance options