Searching for Utility Assistance Programs

COVID-19 (August 15, 2022): The three food banks supported by PQCHC continue to run on modified schedule and program. Services are accessed by appointment only and available to those people living in the catchments assigned to each location: Pinecrest Terrace Community House 613-596-6703, Morrison Gardens Community 613-596-6229 and Foster Farms Community House 613-596-4866. The Health Clinic operates on appointments only. For more details and up-to-date information, see website.

Health centre focused on family and community health

Primary Health Care:

• medical clinic staffed by family physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses / community clinics
• nutrition: individual and group support provided by registered dietitians
• clean needle exchange / safe inhalation
• diabetes education
• falls prevention program
• primary care outreach for seniors
• dental screening
• nursing foot care
• lung health program

Community Health:

• community development: advocacy, education and supports to community residents to increase involvement in the community
• multicultural outreach: assistance to newcomers to facilitate integration into existing services
• health promotion: focusing on enabling people to increase control of their health and address determinants of health
• community house coordination: develop and facilitate programs and outreach to five low-income housing communities, support to planning and community initiatives
• safety and trust: support to community leaders and training to support the development of healthy communities and address issues of concern
• youth programming: homework clubs, United Sisters program for girls 10-14, training, workshops and events for youth, Somali Youth leadership and skills development
• pathways to education: support to high school students from low-income communities to help complete high school and move on to post-secondary education: tutoring, mentoring, financial and advocacy support

PQ Employment Services:

• PQ Employment Services: bring the right people together with the resources they need to find success
• Canada Ontario Job Grant program: provides financial support to individual employers who want to purchase training for their employees

Employment Programs:

• Youth LEAD Employment Program: assists permanent resident and refugee youth between the ages of 15-29 to develop skills and experience working in Canada
• Job Track: 15 week program that provides pre-apprenticeship training in the Child Development Practitioner trade through paid placements in child care settings
• Future Builders: 15 week program that provides pre-apprenticeship training and work experience to youth with barriers to employment (aged 16-29 years) in residential construction trades (i.e. general carpentry)

Children and Family Services:

• Headstart Nursery School: subsidized preschool program
• Early ON Child and Family Centre: universal access, information and referrals, bilingual designation
• Leaping Lizards: after-school programming
• Toy Lending Libraries: educational and recreational toys
• Circle of Support: parenting support for vulnerable families - home visiting
• Pre-Post Natal Programs: focus on infant care, parent education, nutrition program for high risk pregnant women
• School's Cool: school readiness program

Specialized Preschool Programs:

• First Words: screening clinics and treatment for children with speech language developmental delays
• Infant Hearing: screening of all newborns born deaf or at risk of deafness
• Blind/Low Vision: intervention and consultation services for families with infants diagnosed as blind or low-vision

Mental Health:

• Assertive Community Treatment Team: support and treatment to those with severe persistent illness
• Families First: housing assistance
• System Navigation: increase client self-efficacy and autonomy

COVID-19 (6 Jun 2022): All four Employment and Social Services office hours to the public are Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm. Staff will continue to provide telephone or email support from Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm.

Helps Ottawa residents who cannot afford to pay for items or services needed to maintain their housing and for health items that are not available through other programs

May help to pay for/provide:

• urgent dental care, including dentures
• eye exams and glasses
• Assistive Devices Program (ADP) 25% consumer contribution
• bathroom aids
• surgical and diabetic supplies
• cremations and burials
• beds, cribs, high chairs

COVID-19 (6 Jun 2022): All four Employment and Social Services office hours to the public are Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm. Staff will continue to provide telephone or email support from Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm.

Helps Ottawa residents who cannot afford to pay for items or services needed to maintain their housing and for health items that are not available through other programs

May help to pay for/provide:

• urgent dental care, including dentures
• eye exams and glasses
• Assistive Devices Program (ADP) 25% consumer contribution
• bathroom aids
• surgical and diabetic supplies
• cremations and burials
• beds, cribs, high chairs

COVID-19 (20 Mar 2020) Call the Centre at 613-737-5115 before attending. Many of the programs and services are currently suspended or changed to phone appointments until further notice.

Practical, in-home supports are provided by centre staff, screened volunteers and independent contractors:

• caregiver support
• friendly visiting
• handy helpers
• home help directory
• lunchability
• nursing foot care clinics
• snow go assist
• transportation to medical appointments
• grocery bus
• volunteer program
• help applying for LEAP, OESP, ODSP

Program that lowers electricity bills for low-income households

• provides a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and household size
• credits will be applied directly to eligible customers' electricity bills
• an applicant may qualify for both this program and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

Central services to any person in need upon request through referral to appropriate Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) conferences in Ottawa or to the SSVP Store

• accepts donations in money and in kind and provides receipts for income tax purposes
• coordinates Society's activities in the City of Ottawa
• volunteer opportunities available

Assistance available includes:

• home visits and in-home needs assessment
• food vouchers
• food delivery from a food bank
• clothing
• furniture
• friendly visiting programs
• social justice focused on systemic changes

Assistance may be available for the following:

• utility assistance (heat, hydro, water, etc.)
• financial assistance for emergencies/essentials
• eviction assistance/homelessness prevention
• post-secondary education fund
• individual and cause advocacy
• disaster relief (local and international)

Access centre to apply for LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) one-time emergency financial assistance for Hydro Ottawa customers

• program runs throughout the year
• maximum grant is $500 per fuel per household per year ($600 for electrically heated homes)
• grant is credited directly toward energy bill
• agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being assessed
• all decisions can be appealed

Book an appointment with the nearest Community Resource Centre (see application process section) to apply for the LEAP Program grant.

These centres are willing to help those outside their normal catchment areas. Individuals unable to receive support from the centres listed above can then leave a message with the Ottawa Booth Centre at 613-241-1573 ext 325 and leave a message.

COVID-19 (6 Jun 2022): All four Employment and Social Services office hours to the public are Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm. Staff will continue to provide telephone or email support from Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm.

Helps Ottawa residents who cannot afford to pay for items or services needed to maintain their housing and for health items that are not available through other programs

May help to pay for/provide:

• urgent dental care, including dentures
• eye exams and glasses
• Assistive Devices Program (ADP) 25% consumer contribution
• bathroom aids
• surgical and diabetic supplies
• cremations and burials
• beds, cribs, high chairs

Community services for rural residents

Support services include:

• low-cost transportation coordination
• Meals on Wheels delivery
• local volunteer opportunities
• home maintenance
• information and referral services

Applications for the Ontario Energy Support Program (OESP) and Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

• (OESP) for discounts off monthly hydro bill
• (LEAP) a one-time emergency financial assistance
• agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being assessed

Services and activities to the residents of the Carson area such as:

• homework club (HWC)
• after school programs (ASP)
• youth groups
• sports activities
• volunteer programs
• crisis intervention
• referrals
• short-term counselling
• group support
• low-income energy assistance program
• voice mail
• early years play groups

Delivers special activities such as:

• community bbq
• holiday dinners

COVID-19 (6 Jun 2022): All four Employment and Social Services office hours to the public are Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm. Staff will continue to provide telephone or email support from Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm.

Helps Ottawa residents who cannot afford to pay for items or services needed to maintain their housing and for health items that are not available through other programs

May help to pay for/provide:

• urgent dental care, including dentures
• eye exams and glasses
• Assistive Devices Program (ADP) 25% consumer contribution
• bathroom aids
• surgical and diabetic supplies
• cremations and burials
• beds, cribs, high chairs

Community services for rural residents

Support services include:

• low-cost transportation coordination
• Meals on Wheels delivery
• local volunteer opportunities
• home maintenance
• information and referral services

Applications for the Ontario Energy Support Program (OESP) and Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

• (OESP) for discounts off monthly hydro bill
• (LEAP) a one-time emergency financial assistance
• agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being assessed

Food Bank:

• can provide hamper once every two weeks
• mostly non-perishables
• bread, milk, eggs, butter, meat, sometimes fresh produce, baby food and diapers when available

Advocacy and Referral Services:

• Help for Heat
• Low Income Energy Asistance Program (LEAP)
• Homelessness Prevention
• literacy related assistance
• medical and dental services

Other services:

• pastoral care
• transportation assistance
• Christmas hampers
• Angel Tree toy drive
• back to school campaign
• volunteer program
• friendship lunch
• snowsuit fund
• emergency assistance for overnight accommodation
• emergency disaster relief for fire victims
• visitation for various needs including hospital and home visitations
• assistance for those suffering abuse
• Christian Summer Day Camp
• Overnight Camp

Aims to prevent, address and reduce homelessness by assisting low-income households :

• at imminent risk of eviction or disconnection
• may provide support for: arrears with electrical or heating company (oil, gas, propane)
• after reception of a formal eviction notice as a result of unpaid rent or arrears

Income support

• monthly financial assistance and benefits such as a drug card for prescribed drugs
• mobility devices, batteries and repair
• dental care
• vision care benefit and hearing aids
• health related benefits
• extended health benefits Benefits also include assistive devices
• guide dogs
• utilities
• employment start-up benefit
• child care costs
• mandatory special necessities -- includes diabetic supplies, surgical supplies and dressings, transportation to medical treatment if cost exceeds $15 in a month

Employment support

• provides services to remove barriers to competitive employment and to assist people with disabilities to attain competitive employment
• employment planning and preparation
• skills training
• job placement
• self employment assistance
• adaptive technologies for training/employment
• program is voluntary to all persons with disabilities

COVID-19 (November 2, 2020): Community & Family Services will remain open

Family services

• financial assistance such as rent arrears, utility assistance, dentures, glasses, medication, etc.
• emergency food bag every two months
• children's summer camp

Advocacy Office to apply for LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) one-time emergency financial assistance

• program runs throughout the year
• maximum grant is $500 per fuel per household per year ($600 for electrically heated homes)
• grant is credited directly toward energy bill
• agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being assessed
• all decisions can be appealed

Provides administrative and financial support for Rent Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing providers in Lanark County

• Housing units vary in size from bachelor apartments to five-bedroom townhouses
• units located in Almonte, Carleton Place, Clayton, Perth, Pakenham and Smiths Falls.
• Some units are accessible.
• Emergency assistance for low income households to pay overdue rent or utilities
• homeownership loans
• loan for necessary home repairs for low income residents
• Adult Supportive Housing Program

Housing Assistance Program (HAP):

• financial assistance for homeless individuals or people at risk of homelessness
• Up to $1000 once per year
• funds are issued directly to a company/landlord/service provider and can assist with utility arrears, last months' rent for mandatory moves, hoarding/bed bug clean up, minor home repairs, etc.

Aims to prevent, address and reduce homelessness by assisting low-income households :

• at imminent risk of eviction or disconnection
• may provide support for: arrears with electrical or heating company (oil, gas, propane)
• after reception of a formal eviction notice as a result of unpaid rent or arrears

COVID-19 (April 24, 2020): Municipal offices are closed to the public until further notice * Clients for Community and Social Service (CSS) are asked to email or telephone their caseworker

Homelessness Prevention Program

• financial assistance on a one-time basis for individuals that require support in becoming housed or to remain housed

Emergency shelter:

• temporary accommodation for families facing an emergency situation leading to loss of shelter
• maximum stay is 21 days

Homelessness Prevention Benefit:

• emergency funds provided to help low-income households, including social assistance recipients, facing housing related emergencies including energy arrears (energy arrears, including hydro, oil, and gas, as well as the costs for security deposits and reconnection fees)
• benefit is to address housing crises which have resulted in homelessness or which may lead to homelessness

December 2022: LEAP funds for Cornwall Electric and Rideau St Lawrence are no longer available for the year (2022).

Access centre to apply for LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program)

• one-time emergency financial assistance program
• maximum grant is $500 per fuel per household per year
• grant is credited directly toward energy bill
• agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being assessed
• assistance is dependent on meeting criteria and availability of funds
• all decisions can be appealed

COVID-19 (September 30, 2021): Offices are currently closed to the public. The staff are still available via phone and email.

Financial aid to assist families in maintaining a permanent residence, rather than face eviction and homelessness

Expenses that may be considered:

• utility arrears
• rental arrears
• minor relocation fees (transportation to another municipality)
• temporary accommodations
• moving expenses

COVID-19 (April 12, 2022): Program running remotely. Clients can call or email to apply.

Access centre to apply for LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) one-time emergency financial assistance

• program runs throughout the year
• maximum grant is $500 per fuel per household per year ($600 for electrically heated homes)
• grant is credited directly toward energy bill
• agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being assessed
• all decisions can be appealed